Gas station times extended to 5pm, more businesses exempted

Gas station times extended to 5pm, more businesses exempted
Esso gas station on East Bay Street open for business with essential staff.

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 that hardware, lumber, plumbing, electrical stores, auto part stores, hardware and homes and plant nurseries would also be included as essential services, and open to the public throughout the week.

Landscaping and property maintenance were also beginning to operate.

The government’s expanded list of essential services include electronic and technical services; farming; horticulture; agriculture; and fisheries resource; legal services; property management and maintenance; and car rentals.

Other essential workers and businesses include, groceries and non-alcoholic beverages delivery service; business to business suppliers of cleaning chemicals; janitorial services pool maintenance funeral homes and cemeteries; fabric stores; manufacturers of hygienic, surgical or face masks;  industrial manufacturers; non-profits, churches, civic organizations, religious administration, diplomatic cooperation, security services, financial services, private patient care and judicial services.

On Monday, the government passed a resolution to extend the state of emergency and emergency orders to May 30.

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.