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NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government has amended the Emergency Powers COVID-19 Order to extend the operations of gas stations until 5pm, and included several more services to the exempted list. The previous order restricted operations past 1pm. The extension of the time comes as the government opens up more businesses during the 24-hour curfew. Last week, the prime minister announced...

Govt. still exploring monitoring bracelets to help track quarantine breachers  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government's coronavirus (COVID-19) app will have a tracking element that will alert when quarantined individuals step outside set virtual boundaries, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said today. Speaking outside of Cabinet, Sands advised that along with the new app, the government is also exploring monitoring bracelets...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The work of the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana (BNCM) has been put on hold amidst the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). BNCM co-chairman Bishop Simeon Hall told Eyewitness News yesterday the group has already been delayed by a month, with the timeline for completion of its report unclear. “We don’t know when this thing is going to happen,” Hall...

Bahamian bar nominated for prestigious international award NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Social hotspot Bon Vivants has been nominated for a top international award. The stylish and distinctive cocktail lounge was one of 10 bars shortlisted to be named Best New International Cocktail Bars in the Latin America and the Caribbean by the Tales of The Cocktail Spirited Awards. Co-Owner Kyle Jones...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A top trade unionist and labour attorney said he had been left humbled and deeply saddened having been ‘inundated’ with calls over the past few weeks from jobless workers seeking relief. Obie Ferguson, president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said:“This kind of situation is very damaging not only to the workers but the country as a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police are presently on the scene of an apparent suicide at the Haitian Village off Cowpen Road. According to reports, a man was found hanged in an almond tree this morning. This is a developing story.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) has announced that it will further postpone of the National Service of Remembrance for victims lost during the passage of Hurricane Dorian last year, due to the nationwide coronavirus. The memorial service was planned for March 28, 2020 in Dundas Town, Abaco. However, according to the DRA, "current COVID-19 Emergency Order restrictions...

No new confirmed cases  NASSAU, BAHAMAS -The number of people in quarantine at a government facility or at home has climbed to 712. The number represents an increase of 219 people. According to the Ministry of Health's dashboard today, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country remains at 49. Ahead of the national lockdown last week, officials said...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The United States has advised its citizens in The Bahamas that it does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights from the country, as it advised of the nationwide lockdown set to go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight. On Monday, the government extended its state of emergency until April 30 and announced shutdown of all business in The Bahamas...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Police have added a WhatsApp line to its COVID-19 command center after many people were unable able to get through to due to the high volume of calls. In its daily report today, police advised that the WhatsApp number 1 242 806-6852 is only to be used for text messages. The 311 number remains active. All emails...

Williams calls on govt. to appoint six more nurses on COVID-19 frontlines NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Approximately 10 percent of nurses do not have medical insurance, a grave concern for the bargaining unit that represents these healthcare providers on the frontline of the COVID-19 fight. According to Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) President Amancha Williams, an additional six nurses have been waiting...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel has said that The Bahamas will soon start the local manufacturing of masks for Bahamians. Bethel made the revalation in the Senate on Monday, during  debate on a resolution to extend the state of emergency and emergency powers to April 8. The resolution was passed unanimously. During his contribution to the debate, Senator...

WHO says COVID-19 not ordinarily an aerosol, but may be possible in “specific circumstances” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands today reaffirmed the government’s preparedness and capacity to combat a “surge” of COVID-19 cases should local spread continue and peak in The Bahamas. “All across The Bahamas Mr. Speaker we have been actively working to make sure...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Police on Grand Bahama are investigating a shooting incident that left a man hospital this morning. According to police, the man was on Weddell Avenue when he was approached by another man who pulled out a handgun shortly after 9am, and shot him multiple times. The man was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital in a private...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As The Bahamas enters a complete nationwide shutdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), non-residents and tourists are anxiously trying to leave the country. Four days into a partial nationwide lockdown and a mandatory nightly curfew, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday announced the closure of the nation’s borders to all visitors, and introduced a...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS –The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is “aware” of and following a possible incident of COVID-19 exposure involving a group of people recently traveling from Trinidad and Tobago carnival. The revelation comes as officials ramp up their contact-tracing efforts after four people tested positive for the respiratory illness to date. The first case, a 61-year-old woman,...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS- A trade union leader said yesterday it was ‘sad and deeply troubling’ that many Bahamian worker have effectively been furloughed for more than a week without income in most instances. Obie Ferguson, the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) told Eyewitness News that the situation has again underscored the need for some form of emergency fund that...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A man was shot and killed while standing outside a home in Stapledon Gardens just hours before a nationwide partial shutdown came into force, police said. According to reports, three men were gathered on Albatross Road shortly after 3am when a silver vehicle pulled up. Police said a man exited the vehicle and opened fire on one...