NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday reiterated that the country will go through cycles of “tightening and loosening” of restrictions” as it grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that measures put in place to combat the second wave of the virus have worked.
During his national address on Sunday, Minnis outlined changes to restrictive measures on New Providence and Abaco to go into effect today, which he said was a result of the “good progress” on both islands.
The weekday curfew has been pushed back to 9pm to 5am and the weekend 24-hour curfew has been lifted, and replaced with a curfew of 6pm to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Minnis also announced that the retail sector, including pharmacies, may resume in-store services Monday to Saturday following the protocols prepared by the Bahamas Federation of Retailers and certified by the Ministry of Health.
Outdoor dining can resume at restaurants and at fish frys, Monday to Saturday.
At hotels, indoor dining may also resume.
Beaches and parks will now be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 am to 6 pm.
Minnis further cautioned however that in light of the pandemic, the country will go through cycles of tightening and loosening restrictions.
“When case numbers go up, we have to tighten the rules to save lives,” he said.
“When those numbers go down, we loosen restrictions so Bahamians may get back to work and resume more normal lives.
“The measures we put in place to combat the second wave have worked.
“Some criticized us for acting aggressively, but we knew we had to intervene to slow the spread of the virus and save Bahamian lives.
“We do not like putting in place restrictions. However, our main priorities are the health and safety of the Bahamian people.
“We are not afraid of making the tough decisions to protect you.”
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