BACK TO LEVEL THREE: CDC flags rising COVID-19 infections, US State dept warns to reconsider travel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The US State Department is again warning its citizens to reconsider travel to The Bahamas in an increased travel advisory prompted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raising the country to a Level 3 due to the high level of infections. Health officials recorded 315 cases on Monday, taking […]

HIT THE BRAKES: Ministry of Tourism suspends mandatory RT-PCR testing for entry of fully vaxxed travelers

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas has suspended the planned mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The policy turnaround follows a warning last week from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that advised Bahamians to expect delays in obtaining COVID test results and flight cancelations during the holiday period due […]

BUCKS FOR THE VAX: Winners of The Bahamas’ COVID vaccine lotto receive their rewards

Lotto still running until Dec 31 for first-dose recipients Grand prize drawing of $25,000 yet to be announced NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Scores of Bahamians who participated in the government’s coronavirus vaccine lottery have walked away with some protection against the deadly virus and a bonus cheque to boot. Dozens of winners have been notified and […]

EDUCATION RECOVERY: Some 8,000 students to be tracked down and targeted in learning loss program

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday that the ministry intends to directly target some 8,000 students who were inactive on the virtual learning platform throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in order to design education recovery strategies for their learning loss. Hanna-Martin’s comments came as officials advised that the reopening of schools will […]

DRIVE TO GET VACCINES IN ARMS: Booster shots to be offered to inmates and ‘irregular residents’

Health minister: Govt intends to use every measure to get vaccines in arms NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The ongoing vaccination booster program will take health officials into the Department of Correctional Services and shantytown communities to accommodate inmates and irregular residents as the government seeks to bolster its vaccination rate. [pullquote] We are bringing on some […]

TOP-UP OF ASTRAZENECA: Bahamas gets 48K more vaccine doses thanks to PAHO/WHO, Canada and Colombia

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas received 48,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines through a collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the governments of Canada and Colombia to increase vaccine access among for vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The vaccines, facilitated through the PAHO Revolving Fund, arrived at […]

KICKED TO THE CURB: No more travel health visa for Bahamian citizens and residents

Travel health visa requirement still in place for visitors Cooper hints manual immigration landing card to be axed “in due course” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Chester Cooper advised in Parliament yesterday that beginning December 13, Bahamians and residents will no longer require health visas to return home. The travel visa, however, will remain in […]

OMICRON CONCERN ON THE RISE: Govt bans travel from 8 African countries in light of new COVID variant

Bahamian citizens and residents allowed to return but must quarantine at their own expense Sands: We ought to expect a fourth wave NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Ministry of Health has advised that new travel restrictions have been placed on eight southern African countries amidst the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant called omicron.  Those countries […]

DR FAUCI WEIGHS IN: US medical expert speaks on when he sees pandemic being declared over

Chief medical advisor says antiviral drugs will not cancel out the need for vaccinations Dr Fauci predicts a low level of COVID-19 disruption by spring NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite the introduction of antiviral drugs against COVID-19, there will still be a need to administer vaccinations globally, according to Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to […]

US Embassy delivers another 134,550 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to The Bahamas

Biden administration has now delivered over 260K of the 379K vaccine doses pledged to The Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The United States yesterday delivered another shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses to The Bahamas, making good on the Biden administration’s promise to share vaccines with the world. On the afternoon of Wednesday, November 3, 2021, […]

‘BE CAUTIOUS’: Upcoming social & holiday events remain ‘dangerous’ even in a bubble, says Forbes

“The idea that even if you’re fully vaccinated you could have a large gathering in a bubble is dangerous” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attending events during the holiday period, even after being fully vaccinated, could be a dangerous affair, according to Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes. In the last […]

‘SOMEONE FORGOT’: Health minister says vaccine delivery got delayed due to missed application

“Now with negotiations, it will be here in the first week of November, thank God” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas’ delivery of Pfizer vaccines from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX Facility was delayed because “someone forgot to apply” under the former administration, Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said yesterday. Darville suggested that while […]

WELLNESS CRISIS: Psychologist agrees with pause of Sandilands admissions but notes marked mental health impact

Thompson expects to face “thousands of individuals who are going to need assistance with the massive loss of life we have been experiencing in the last 12 months” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The moratorium on forensic admissions at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) is “probably the right thing to do” to avoid another crisis of overcrowding […]

FORGET THAT: Scrap free COVID testing idea and make vaccination mandatory, urges ex-DNA leader

McCartney calls on PM to “take a bold approach” “Nothing is free; taxpayers are still going to have to cover the cost” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As countries across the world introduce mandatory vaccination policies for key sectors, former Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader and businessman Branville McCartney is urging the government to adopt a similar […]

CAN WE GET IT EXPRESS?: Diplomatic discussions ongoing to expedite more Pfizer vaccines from USA

Foreign affairs minister cites “critical issue between supply and demand” for vaccines NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said yesterday that “fruitful” discussions were held in New York with United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield to expedite the delivery of another tranche of Pfizer vaccines to The Bahamas. “The […]