NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said today that had the government not enacted the COVID-19 Emergency Orders there would have been “many more deaths”, as he defended his administration’s actions as “morally and constitutionally right”. Minnis, who kicked off debate in Parliament on a resolution to extend the state of emergency to […]
Tag: coronavirus
AG defends extension of state of emergency
Bethel: Only a little more ways to go before the start of mass vaccination NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel yesterday defended the government’s decision to seek an extension of the state of emergency and emergency order until May 23, pointing to the onslaught of COVID-19 variants worldwide. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert […]
Govt optimistic about employment in tourism sector
Atlantis optimistic Spring Break will spur reopening of Royal Towers by end of February NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said yesterday he is “very optimistic” about the employment situation in The Bahamas, “especially the touristic sector”. Foulkes was responding to concerns about Atlantis’ latest announcement that it will temporarily furlough some of […]
PM Minnis urges Bahamians to remain vigilant
Govt intends to extend state of emergency until May 23 Minnis: We can see light at the end of the tunnel NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government intends to extend the public state of emergency and emergency orders for another four months, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in Parliament yesterday. The prime minister gave notice […]
Global Tourism Crisis Committee recommends vaccine passports for resumption of international travel
NASSAU, BAHAMAS —The Global Tourism Crisis Committee has underscored the need for vaccine passports in order to jumpstart international tourism amidst the ongoing global pandemic. The committee met in Madrid last week during the 113th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council to advance solid plans to restart tourism. The meeting […]
Health experts remain cautious despite low COVID numbers
The Bahamas ranked 22 among global countries beating COVID-19 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Although The Bahamas has flattened the curve in its second wave of coronavirus cases, the country remains at risk of a third wave, according to Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes. In an interview with Eyewitness News, […]
Atlantis to offer free rapid antigen COVID tests for US guests
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Atlantis Paradise Island has announced that it will begin offering free COVID rapid antigen tests to American guests returning to the US. This comes on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announcing that travelers flying into the United States from international destinations must provide proof of […]
US to implement quarantine as part of travel protocols
US president establishes 14-day review committee for CDC travel protocols NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Newly inaugurated United States President Joe Biden announced yesterday that international visitors traveling to the United States will be required to quarantine upon arrival in the country. The new measure will expand on the requirements announced by the Centers for Disease Control and […]
Davis urges govt. to take action on new COVID variant; says “lockdowns are not a plan”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis last night questioned the government’s action plan in the event a potential new strain of COVID-19 should enter the country. In a statement, he urged the government to plan ahead to prevent having to implement “devastating” lockdowns and curfews. “The government has said that […]
Frontline workers have mixed feelings on COVID-19 vaccinations
Doctors, teachers, officers still monitoring vaccine program for the way forward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations expected to become available within the first half of this year, some frontline workers, including doctors, teachers and police officers, have said they are still on the fence on whether workers will opt to take the initial […]
D’Aguilar: English-speaking Caribbean countries seeking special consideration for CDC travel regime
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is seeking a waiver from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a Caribbean-wide exemption from its new travel entry requirement, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. The CDC has announced that starting January 26, all air passengers entering the United States will be required to have a […]
Vaccine Consultative Committee members named
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) yesterday named the members of the newly formed National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee, which includes stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as community and religious leaders. Recently appointed by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, the committee was formed to advise the prime […]
Teachers union wants COVID testing for full return to classrooms
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said COVID testing of teachers and students is critical for a safe, full return to face-to-face learning. “Whether you are going to use the hybrid model or the face-to-face model for everyday instruction, how do you get them back into school, into the classroom, […]
PAHO/WHO: Vaccine passport “not justifiable”
One vaccine approved thus far in COVAX facility PAHO director says next two years “critical” for vaccine distribution; countries must manage expectations NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) will not support the implementation of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination passports, according to Deputy Director of the PAHO Health Emergencies Department Dr […]
MOTA: New US travel requirements “seamlessly integrate” with Bahamas’ anti-COVID efforts
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The recently announced changes to the US’ travel requirements line up with The Bahamas’ efforts to combat COVID-19, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) yesterday. The statement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday announcing that all travelers into the United […]
Govt. spend over $177 million on pandemic response
Unemployment assistance to continue until the end of Jan. Food assistance to continue until the end of March NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government spent over $177 million through the end of October 2020 on its comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed yesterday. During his first national address for the […]
US to require all international travelers to present negative COVID test
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday it is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. This order was signed by CDC Director Robert R Redfield, MD, on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021. “Testing […]