The Big Story

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Health authorities have revealed they are still waiting to receive proof of COVID-19 testing from a group of Mexicans who arrived in The Bahamas today to assist with the reconstruction of hurricane-damaged Baker’s Bay. According to an internal flight plan obtained by Eyewitness News, some 118 foreign nationals from Mexico travelled to Abaco for the reconstruction project....

NASSAU BAHAMAS – Images of dozens of Mexican workers making their way to Abaco today for the construction of the Bakers Bay project caused widespread outrage and alarm across social media. Just over 100 workers were flown in as the company begins reconstruction following significant damage from Hurricane Dorian last year. The renewed opposition to the move comes as the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An Abaco business has been shut down after authorities found patrons failing to adhere to the emergency orders while on the premises. Officers visited Calypso Restaurant on SC Bootle Highway in Cooper Town around 11am on Wednesday, according to the police statement. The officers reportedly observed the restaurant was not ensuring patrons following the protocols set out...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Several engines tripped offline at the Clifton Pier Power Station due to a mechanical failure, according to Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). The failure resulted in power interruptions in a number of areas that began at 1.39am. BPL said those engines were returned to service at 2.23am, following the correction of that failure. All customer supplies interrupted...

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS — A known Jamaican hitman who is believed to have traveled to The Bahamas to perform a contract killing, was arrested in Grand Bahama on Wednesday, according to police. The suspect is reportedly from August Town, St Andrews, and is believed to be affiliated with the notorious ‘No Dollar No Cents’ gang. He was tracked down at...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — “We could not wait to come and see your beautiful beaches,” said Joannah Baboun, who travelled to The Bahamas from Mexico with her family yesterday as the first wave of visitors entered the country with the resumption of commercial carriers. Flanked by her two daughters who were visibly smiling behind their masks, Baboun said she travelled to...

Fare increase very crucial for survival NASSAU, BAHAMAS – While the cost of bus fare has yet to increase to two dollars, United Public Transportation Company’s President Harrison Moxey said yesterday that drivers are now operating at 20 percent as a result of the pandemic fallout. The country officially reopened its borders to international travel on Wednesday, also ushering the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday accused the government of being too passive with hotels that will remain closed or severe employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis insisted that those hotels must be reminded that they’ve been given concessions to protect the jobs of Bahamians. “People don’t know how they’re going...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The decision by several major resorts to push their opening dates back to the Fall will not have any ‘material impact’ on the government’s fiscal projection’s, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest said yesterday. Turnquest explained the government was not projecting any significant uptick in arrivals until the Fall  during a Ministry of...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that $48 million has been allocated to finance an expansion of the government’s unemployment assistance programs administered via the National Insurance Board (NIB). The unemployment assistance is for workers that fall under four categories: self employed tourism workers who remain unemployed and were receiving assistance prior to July 1; and Hurricane...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Charmaine Hutchinson, a Bahamian mother of two, dropped off her husband, children and grandson at the airport, all of whom were traveling to Texas yesterday. Wednesday marked the full reopening of the borders and the resumption of commercial carriers in and out of The Bahamas. While an estimated 500 international travelers arrived in The Bahamas, it was...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest has cautiously affirmed that there will be no cut to the civil service in light of the COVID-19 fall-out. Turnquest was addressing reporters during a Ministry of Finance press conference on the start of the new fiscal year via Zoom. He said: “That is still the position....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The University of The Bahamas Board of Trustees assured staff and faculty yesterday that any matter affecting the terms and conditions of employment must be negotiated. In a letter obtained by Eyewitness News, the board responded to reports the university is considering a 20 percent salary cut, slashing insurance contributions, and retiring some faculty members with decades...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chief executive Jeffrey Beckles said Baha Mar’s decision to cut hundreds of employees across its hotel properties was a statement of the “critical economic times” this nation is facing. Baha Mar in a statement yesterday noted that in preparation to re-open in the fall,  it made “the difficult, but necessary decision to...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday issued a warning to restaurants and bars who have been breaking COVID-19 protocols to cease their harmful actions or be shut down. Minnis specifically pointed to a nightclub in the eastern part of New Providence and two restaurants in the West. Over the weekend, videos circulated on social media of a...

STB says consultation process a "mockery" and "farce" NASSAU, BAHAMAS –Local environmentalist group Save the Bays yesterday called on the government to extend the consultation period for the draft Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. In a statement yesterday, the organization slammed the government for what it termed unacceptable public consultation procedures and a “mockery” to the process. Save the Bays said...

PHA says one-year internship ended June 30 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Doctors Union has sounded the alarm over 30 healthcare workers on the frontlines of the fight against the novel coronavirus being made redundant, calling the matter unfortunate and uncaring. “It is incomprehensible that the goodwill and sacrifice of so many frontline physicians could be rewarded with avarice and apathy,” the union...

DEHS tells preschools to limit close contact with preschoolers and wear masks when interacting with kids NASSAU, BAHAMAS — All pre-schools and day-care centers registered under the Early Childhood Care Act are permitted to re-open on July 16, advised the Ministry of Education yesterday. In a statement, the ministry noted that between June 29 and July 5, those institutions will...