Cooper slams health visa charge for Family Island travel as “patently absurd”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Exumas and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper yesterday slammed the government over the $25 health visa charge for travels to the Family Islands, calling it “patently absurd”.

Cooper said in a statement yesterday, “It has come to my attention that the government is charging $25 for the health visa for travel to the Family Islands.

“It is patently absurd and should immediately be stopped. There is already a requirement to have a negative RT-PCR molecular test to travel to the Family Islands from Nassau and Grand Bahama.”

Cooper added, “Those tests cost at least $125 and up to $225. But this new charge places additional burdens on Bahamians who want to return home to the Family Islands. I ask that this decision be reversed immediately. It flies in the face of good sense and once again burdens Bahamians at a time of great economic upheaval.”

Travelers from New Providence and Grand Bahama to the remainder of The Bahamas are required to obtain a travel visa, to complete the daily health questionnaire and take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their travel. A negative RT-PCR test for travelers from New Providence and Grand Bahama to the remainder of The Bahamas is a requirement to obtain a travel visa.