Nassau and Paradise Island celebrated its reopening when the Bahamas began welcoming international travelers on July 1.

A sampling of the 3,000 rooms now available in the area includes the British Colonial Hilton, Graycliff Hotel and Breezes Resort & Spa in Nassau; and Bay View Suites Paradise Island, the Paradise Island Beach Club, Sunrise Beach Club & Villas and the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, on Paradise Island.

The 3,000 room number does not include Atlantis, which reopens July 30 with more than 2,100 rooms at The Royal, The Cove and Harborside Resort. Baha Mar in Nassau is scheduled to reopen its 3,000 rooms in October.

Nonstop air service on American, BahamasAir, Delta, JetBlue, Silver, Southwest and United resumed from Newark and New York JFK; Charlotte, N.C.; Baltimore and Atlanta, in addition to gateways in Florida. Nonstop flights from Chicago-O'Hare and Denver will resume in August.

Upon arrival, all visitors must complete and submit a Health Visa application and submit proof of a negative Covid-19 swab test taken within seven days of the travel date. Travelers who show symptoms of Covid upon arrival are transferred to an onsite quarantine area for further testing and evaluation.

Masks are required in public spaces and at attractions; inside dining in restaurants is permitted.

See the article here:

The Bahamas reopens to visitors - Travel Weekly

The popular Atlantis resort is located on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

JOSH NOEL/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS

BY WELLS DUSENBURYSUN SENTINEL/TNS

The Bahamas officially reopened to the public last week with a handful of new coronavirus guidelines.

When you pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, make sure you have your mask ready as well.

Phase 2 allows for international travel. Earlier this month, the country allowed international boaters, yachters and private aviation as part of Phase 1.

If you plan on visiting the Bahamas, you must present a negative COVID-19 swab test upon arrival.

Travelers will also be required to complete an electronic health visa prior to departure and present proof of confirmation at their destination.

At airports and seaports, all visitors will undergo temperature checks conducted by health care personnel.

Any travelers who show COVID-19 symptoms will be transferred to a separate area for further testing and evaluation.

Visitors will be required to wear face masks in any situation where it is necessary to enforce physical distancing guidelines.

In addition to airports and sea terminals, travelers must wear masks in taxis, whilechecking in at hotels, standing in line at attractions and before being seated at restaurants.

Failure to comply with the countrys mask guidelines could result in a $200 fine or onemonth imprisonment.

JetBlue resumed daily service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Nassau last week, while American Airlines resumed flights twice a day between Miami and Nassau on Tuesday.

The Bahamas will continue its mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., so travelers must return to their housing accommodations during that time. Visitors will be allowed to move freely throughout their hotel and resort properties during curfew.

One of the most popular hotels, Atlantis resumed operations on Tuesday. While the casino slot machines will be open 24/7, table games and sports betting will have revised hours.

Beginning July 13, the Bahamas will enter Phase 3 of its reopening, which allows for attractions, excursions and tours to resume. Phase 4, which begins July 27, will allow vendors and jet ski operators to reopen.

More here:

Heading to the Bahamas? Here's what you need to know Florida Courier - Florida Courier

The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) is pleased to announce that for the fourth consecutive year in a row, Anguilla is ranked No. 1 on the Travel + Leisure 2020 Worlds Best Awards list of the Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. Readers rated islands on the following characteristics: Natural attractions/beaches, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, value. Anguilla also ranked #7 on the Top 25 Islands in the World, the only Caribbean island to make the list.

We are very proud to receive this Award for four years in a row it is a tribute to the people of Anguilla and the extraordinary product that we offer, declared the Hon. Haydn Hughes, Minister of Tourism for Anguilla. Anguilla offers this amazing combination of truly spectacular beaches, fabulous cuisine, stunning boutique resorts and genuine hospitality, which keep our guests coming back year after year, he continued.

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary, Travel + Leisure will host a global, social media Toast + Post that will run from July 8 when the winners are released through August 31. Readers and winners around the world are encouraged to TOAST raise a glass to the very best in travel and then POST to take a photo or video of the moment and post it on social media, using the hashtags #TLToast and #TLWorldsBest along with their brands. Anguilla fans are encouraged to post on all the ATBs social platforms using the Hashtag #MyAnguilla.

On Wednesday, July 8, at 5:00PM EST, the Hon. Haydn Hughes will join Jacqueline Gifford, Travel+ Leisures Editor in Chief, for an Instagram Live interview on @TravelandLeisure to officially kick off the celebration, one of only five winners invited to do so.

Each year, for the past 25 years, the readers of Travel + Leisure the largest travel media brand in the United States, with an audience of 6.7 million share their thoughts on destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, rental-car agencies, and more in their annual survey. The full results and report about the awards can be viewed at http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest .

For information on Anguilla, please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: http://www.IvisitAnguilla.com ; follow on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial ; Instagram:

@Anguilla_Tourism ; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm ; Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

Tucked away in the northern Caribbean, Anguilla is a shy beauty with a warm smile. A slender length of coral and limestone fringed with green, the island is ringed with 33 beaches, considered by savvy travelers and top travel magazines, to be the most beautiful in the world.

Anguilla lies just off the beaten path, so it has retained a charming character and appeal. Yet because it can be conveniently reached from two major gateways: Puerto Rico and St. Martin, and by private air, its a hop and a skip away.

Romance? Barefoot elegance? Unfussy chic? And untrammeled bliss? Anguilla is Beyond Extraordinary.

More news about Anguilla.

#rebuildingtravel

Original post:

Anguilla Wins Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the closure of beaches and parks in New Providence, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama over the Independence holiday weekend.

The closure will take effect at 10pm on Thursday, until 5am on July 13.

Addressing Parliament, Minnis underscored the ongoing surge in coronavirus cases in the United States, particularly Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

Minnis said: We are quite aware of the surge of the COVID-19 virus thats occurring in the United States, particularly Florida, Texas, Arizona, which I will speak to later, and we are also aware of what may have contributed to some of the surge.

He said: Taking these matters into consideration, so as to avoid such activities within The Bahamas and possibility of introduction and subsequently spread, the beaches and parks of New Providence, Paradise Island and the surrounding cays and Grand Bahama will close on the 9th of July at 10pm until the 13th of July 5am on Monday.

Excerpt from:

Beaches and parks closed for holiday weekend - EyeWitness News

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Regulators yesterday said they expect a very orderly wind-down of a Bahamas-based health insurer as it readies to exit the market by December 2021.

Michele Fields, the Insurance Commissions superintendent, confirmed to Tribune Business that Generali Worldwide had given formal notice of its intention to cease doing business in The Bahamas and leave the jurisdiction.

Generali Worldwide have given us advice that they plan to leave the jurisdiction, she said. I think it will be over a course of a year, so they will not renew policies after a certain date.

Their policies are generally one-year policies, and so as policies expire they wont renew them. This will be a very orderly exit from the market. Generali executives declined to comment when contacted by this newspaper yesterday, but insurance industry sources confirmed it had notified both clients and the industry of its plans.

Generali entered the Bahamian health insurance market in 2007 when it acquired the client portfolio previously owned by the former British American Insurance Company. That followed a management-led buyout of the latter that was spearheaded by now-opposition deputy leader, Chester Cooper.

The underwriter, which focuses on group or employer-sponsored plans, has struggled to make major inroads into the market it competing against long-entrenched competitors such as Atlantic Medical, Colina Insurance Company and Family Guardian.

They have notified their clients, one insurance sector contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. When they came into the market they bought British Americans portfolio, which was low, low level.

That portfolio had been losing money left, right and centre, and as soon as their [BAF Financials] non-compete clause was over they re-entered the health market with a more suitably-priced health product.

The source suggested that Generali had managed to clean-up the portfolio it inherited, and had sought to attract clients by offering deep premium discounts, but there appeared to be little interest from Bahamas-based rivals in acquiring it ahead of the companys planned December 2021 departure.

They added that remaining health insurers seemed to be waiting for Generali clients to come to them, adding that the company seemed to be an ill-suited fit for its new parent, Utmost Worldwide, an insurance-based investments product provider, which acquired the formers global operations in 2018.

Utmosts latest published financial statements, for the 12 months to year-end 2018, showed that Generalis Bahamas business generated $3.209m in net profits that year based on $29.422m worth of gross premiums.

That represented an improvement on the prior years $286,000 net loss on the back of $25.965m in gross premiums written.

Go here to read the rest:

Health insurer's Bahamas exit to be 'orderly' - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Immigration officers in Grand Bahama have raised alarm over exposure risks due to the handling of a COVID-19 positive migrant.

Eyewitness News understands the undocumented migrant is a 20-year-old Haitian national, who had been living in Eight Mile Rock since March.

The migrant was reportedly apprehended by the US Coast Guard and was turned over to Bahamian authorities on July 5, and tested for the virus the following day.

Yesterday, Deron Brooks, Vice President of TheBahamasCustoms andImmigrationAllied WorkersUnion (BCIAWU), said more than a dozen Immigration officers have been potentially exposed while the migrant remains at the C A Smith building.

Brooks said the migrant is being held in a cell with other migrants who are awaiting repatriation, noting the government complex also housed several other agencies.

[Immigration officers] have a legitimate concern but I think our employers need to have an action plan and I dont know that they have one, Brooks said.

I think this was an eventuality that should have been considered given the nature of the global environment and Im not at all sure that they sufficiently planned for it.

Brooks said his members are demanding to be recognized as frontline workers and afforded benefits similar to doctors and nurses.

Calls placed to Dr Frank Bartlett, head of the islands COVID-19 task force, were not returned up to press time.

Now the unimaginable has happened, Brooks said.

The fact that those persons were brought to our country by the US Coast Guard is nothing new. What is new is officers now have to detain a person that has tested positive in a place that was not designed for that, and the department was not prepared for this eventuality.

The officers are now saying that they would like to have something similar to what doctors and nurses are getting. If they would die as a result of exposure, the same compensation for their families that doctors and nurses were afforded a few months ago.

Brooks said: Its a mammoths task something the average person could only imagine. They are under a lot of pressure right now. They were told they have to self-quarantine, the Ministry of Health told them that they cannot test them as yet.

The officers would like to know for peace of mind and safety of their families, if they go home to their families they dont know what they will take with them. The next concern is that if they have to self quarantine, some of their residences are not conducive to that.

Eyewitness News understands the department is preparing to repatriate 34 Haitian migrants on Monday.

Yesterday, Brooks said the COVID-19 positive migrant was not being detained in isolation.

Hes not in there alone because we dont have the space for that, he said.

Whats going on now we have not anticipated or they had not anticipated it happening the way it did. When we get people in, we try to make arrangements tp quickly to get them into Nassau. But in this instance, you cant take them into population of New Providence and expose other officers and so what they are trying to do is fly them from Freeport straight to Haiti.

Brooks is currently posted in Bimini; however, he noted several union officials have inspected the building like Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress vice president, Kirk Russell.

Yesterday, Russell said he was told the migrant was also taken to court for a hearing on Monday.

Moving forward, he said the congress has recommended officials consider virtual hearings for all detainees.

Russell said: If we are going to detain individuals, those individuals should be quarantined somewhere other than that building. To put them in that environment, no, we need a secure quarantine facility for those individuals. These are some things that must be addressed.

View post:

Immigration fears over handling of COVID-19 positive migrant - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Father of Labour Sir Randol Fawkes has been awarded the nations top honor of the Order of National Hero.

Fawkes was instrumental in establishing the trade union movement in The Bahamas, and piloted a bill to make Labour Day an official public holiday.

He played a pivotal role in the countrys track to majority rule during the 1967 general elections. Fawkes won his seat as leader of the Labour Party, and used his vote to support the Progressive Liberal Party forming a coalition government.

The recipients of the National Honours Awards 2020 were announced as the country marked its 47th anniversary of independence on Friday.

Renowned Bahamian psychiatrist Dr David Allen also tops the list of recipients awarded national honours.

Allen was made an Officer of the Order of Distinction, which recognizes exemplary service provided to The Bahamas.

Former Senate president and Leader of the Free National Movement Henry Bostwick was made Companion of the Order of The Bahamas; while former Attorney General Paul Adderley, and former Speaker of the House of Assembly Sir Alvin Braynen were awarded posthumously.

Justices Claire Hepburn, Jeanne Thompson, and Rhonda Bain were made Officers of the Order of The Bahamas.

Businessman Frank Crothers received the Order of Excellence.

Educator Roselda Woodside was appointed a Member of the Order of Merit.

This is the third year the National Honours have been bestowed.

The awards will be presented on National Heroes Day, which will be observed on October 13 this year.

There was no selection for the category of National Hero or Order of the Nation last year.

Follow this link:

'Father of Labour' named National Hero - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The domestic banking industry will be radically different over the next 10 years, a well-known banker said yesterday, while urging the expansion of Bahamian ownership in the sector.

Gowon Bowe, Royal Fidelity CFO, spoke at the CFA Society of The Bahamas webinar yesterday.

Our domestic environment is one that I think is going to be radically different over the next 10 years, he said.

We have seen a banking industry that has been dominated by international ownership. That is not to criticize it but between the UK banks and Canadian banks that have had a strong foothold in Bahamian domestic baking industry, it is one that we have to look at how we expand Bahamian ownership.

Bowe pointed to the growth and expansion of a number of Caribbean banks and noted that increased Bahamian ownership in the domestic banking sector will become even more crucial as international banks contemplate their continued presence in the region.

Pointing to the international banking segment, Bowe argued that the Bahamas must start thinking about its tax policy.

Our tax policy is what we have sort of protected and which has led to our demise, he said.

We have held that we want to be a jurisdiction with low or no income taxes and in reality it has not served us well. Is it one that we we need to hold?

See the original post:

Domestic banking will be 'radically different' EyeWitness News - EyeWitness News

Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard is asking the Southern District Court of New York to dismiss the claims of 52 out of 57 plaintiffs who filed a class-action lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted them.

In the notice of motion sent to the media Thursday morning, Nygard says not only do 50 of the plaintiffs have no connection to New York, he argues the American court doesn't have jurisdiction over him or his companies named in the civil lawsuit.

"Due to the lack of connection between either defendant and New York and these plaintiffs claims and New York, any exercise of jurisdiction over defendants with respect to these plaintiffs' claims would violate due process," Nygard saidin court filings.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 10 plaintiffs nine women from the Bahamas and one American in the Southern District of New York in February. Since then, 47 more women, including plaintiffs from Canada, have joined.

Their allegations against Nygard include rape, sodomy and drugging in locations that include New York, Winnipeg and Nassau.

The allegations date as far back as 1977, and some of the womenallege they were assaulted when they were as young as 14 or 15.

The FBI raided Nygard's New York offices shortly after the class action was filedas part of a criminal investigation. No charges have been laid.

Nygard saidhe lived in Nassau in the Bahamas from 1970 until 2018, before moving back to Canada.

The designer, who was raised in Manitoba, claims he's been a permanent resident of the province since January 2019, and hasn't been to New York since February of that year.

"Since at least January 2019, I have spent more time in Manitoba, Canada, than in any other location," Nygardwrote in a signed declaration attached to the motion to dismiss.

"Since at least February 14, 1958, my passport has been issued to me by the government of Canada. I have never voted in the United States. I have no family members who reside or work in New York," he said.

Nygard saidhe is not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., and has never owned or leased property there, nor does he pay taxes in New York.

According to the court filings, "New York City has been described as the Nygard 'world'or 'corporate'headquarters.

"This was done for promotional and marketing purposes, to connect the Nygard brand to New York City, arguably the most well-known city for fashion in the world, and to grow business and visibility for the brand in the United States."

In the motion, Nygard also claimedthe statute of limitations has expired for 38 of the plaintiffs.

He saidthat according to the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, the women should have come forward no later than 10 years after the alleged assaults, or 10 years after they turned 18.

Nygard saidthe 38 plaintiffs have failed to prove that they couldn't have filed their allegations before the statute of limitations ran out.

"Although most Canadian provinces do not have a statute of limitations applicable to sexual assault claims, under the circumstances here, plaintiffs' Canadian law claims are subject to the statute of limitations applicable to such claims in New York," which Nygard saidis five years.

"Accordingly, for the 38 plaintiffs who are asserting Canadian law claims, if their claims are time barred under the statute of limitations applicable to the claims in New York, the claims must be dismissed."

The motion to dismiss also saidthat 12 of the 57 plaintiffs' claims allegedly occurred outside of the United States and thus require "extraterritorial application" under the law.

None of the allegations against Nygard have been proven in court and no charges have been laid.

Go here to read the rest:

Peter Nygard files for dismissal of class-action lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted women - CBC.ca

EDITOR, The Tribune

During my short stint in politics, the party with which I was affiliated, the SDP fought a by-election in South Eleuthera. At the time we found ourselves fighting not only the PLP, but also the BDP/FNM, but that is a story for another day.

One of my colleagues in the Senate was the late venerable Dr Cleveland Eneas, Sr. In his maiden campaign speech in Tarpum Bay, he began with the quotation from Shakespeares Julius Caesar

Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. After seeing the blank faces in the audience the leader, the late Norman Solomon, cautioned the learned doctor to use very simple language and images as he didnt think the crowd got the message.

Dr Eneas quotation seems very apt in todays Bahamas with the competent authoritys decision yesterday to close the beaches. We could almost hear Marie Antoinette telling the people to eat cake when they could not afford bread.

After opening the borders and beaches, without any uptick in virus numbers, and no protests from the doctors, I can only perceive this action as madness. What will the tourists do. How will the Bahamians cool temperatures and tempers.

JEANNE THOMPSON

Nassau,

July 7, 2020.

Go here to see the original:

When it comes to beaches, I think Caesar had it right - Bahamas Tribune

They may not be dancing at the main stage or relaxing in a hammock near the Bur Oak stagethis year, but that didn't stop folkies from taking in the sights and sounds of the Winnipeg Folk Festival from home.

The 2020 festival was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic,but a virtual concert called Winnipeg Folk Festival at Homewas streamed live on Saturday.

Winnipeg's Samantha Windsor wanted to share the experience with friends, like she does every year,so she set up a beer garden in her Southdale backyard and played the concert over speakers for friends.

"This is our chance to all be together and celebrate our love of the Folk Festival," she said.

Folk Fest at Home included performances from past festivals from A Tribe Called Red, Sheryl Crow, Bahamas, Brandi Carlile, plus new performances by Alan Doyle, Tash Sultana, Vance Joyand local William Prince.

For Windsor, something felt like it was missing this year.

"Folk Fest to us is more of a feeling of showing up into a community of people who really appreciate the music and the ambiance that they set up there and it's not the same in my backyard," she said.

Windsor and herfriends did their best to reignitethe spirit by telling stories about past years, setting up hammocks, wearingFolk Fest at Home t-shirts andordering food from some of their favourite Folk Fest vendors, including Santa Lucia, East India Company and Gramma's Kettle Korn.

They weren't the only ones taking in the music.

Downtown, people packed The Beer Can, a pop up beer garden on Main Street, to watch the live-streamed show.

Megan Donald came out with a couple friendsto see Bahamas play andsays she's happy the live stream can keep the spirit of Folk Fest going.

"Not that it would go away, but I think it keeps the candlelight flickering a little bit for the Folk Fest that didn't get to happen. So I think it's like a nice sense of respect to it," she said.

Lapsed Folk Fest-goers Trevor Feltham and Gillian McMurchydecided they'd take in the live stream over a couple of beers.

"It's all new," she said. "This is exciting because it's new."

See the rest here:

Folkies find their own way to keep the spirit of Winnipeg Folk Fest alive from home - CBC.ca

By Susan Mangicaro, Emergency Response Team Lead, International Medical Corps

Hurricane Dorian, which ravaged the Bahamas in September 2019, was the worst storm to hit the island nation in recorded history. The 36-hour assault of wind topping 185 miles per hour, along with torrential rain and 20+ foot tsunami-level waves, washed away miles of coastline, homes, essential infrastructureand people. The vicious storm cut a path of destruction across the island of Grand Bahama, wiping out the power grid.

International Medical Corps is a US-based global humanitarian response organization with more than 35 years of experience responding to major disasters and crises. We sent an emergency response team (ERT) consisting of doctors, nurses, logisticians, mental health and psychosocial support services specialists, and water, sanitation and hygiene specialists to support the Bahamian disaster response.

Our ERT established an emergency treatment facility at High Rock, Grand Bahama, and sent mobile medical teams into the field. But downed power lines, washed-out bridges and exposed rebar made movement slow and hazardous, and communication with survivors and team members difficult. The devastation caused by Dorian meant that the restoration of power and connectivity would be slowbut, to serve people in need, we needed telecommunications and internet access right away.

Fortunately, with the generous support of NetHope and the government of Luxembourg, our High Rock facility was able to get satellite internet connectivity during the critical first days and weeks of the response.

NetHope solved our connectivity issues by installing the emergency.lu rapid deployment system at High Rock. This mobile, satellite-based telecommunications platform provided immediate broadband internet access as we began operations, enabling staff to communicate effectively with our mobile medical teams and to support their safety and security as they traveled around the island. Internet access also gave survivors the ability to contact loved ones and others in the community whom they had not been able to reach during and following the disaster.

In its first two days of operation, the High Rock clinicand the mobile medical teams operating from ittreated more than 60 patients, addressing a variety of issues, including infections, lacerations and puncture wounds. They also helped patients who had, because of the storm, lost the medications they needed to deal with chronic diseases, such as hypertension.

However, not every wound is visible. Although most people were able to reach high ground in time, everyone lost somethingor someone. Entire communities, representing multiple generations of families, were destroyed. Through collaboration with Rand Memorial Hospital and the Public Hospitals Authority, and facilitated by NetHopes internet access, the High Rock clinic helped us provide community-based mental health and psychosocial support to help survivors cope with the trauma of loss.

In a disaster response, few things are as critical as the ability to communicate. International Medical Corps works in some of the most difficult and dangerous places in the world, and the lack of a strong communication infrastructure, particularly following a hurricane an earthquake when local systems are knocked out, can present a big challenge. The ability to communicate with local, state, and federal authorities, as well as with our own staff, is imperative to effective management of an emergency response and coordination of medical teams in the field. Without reliable communication channels, both the disaster-affected community and the first responders who are there to provide lifesaving services are at greater risk.

Thanks to support and equipment provided by NetHope and the government of Luxembourg, International Medical Corps was able to treat more than 800 patients at the High Rock clinic and surrounding areas, providing the emergency medical and psychological support needed to help Hurricane Dorian survivors move forward and rebuild their lives, families, and communities.

More:

NetHope brings critical connectivity to disaster response in the Bahamas - Bahamas - ReliefWeb

By EARYEL BOWLEG

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Jeffrey Lloyd announced in the House of Assembly that University of The Bahamas anticipates the institutions enrolment will exceed 6,000 students this Fall.

According to Mr Lloyd, Bahamian students seeking to further their education abroad, particularly in the US, are changing their plans due to the pandemic.

This year (for) the first time in its history, University of The Bahamas because of circumstances that now circulate across the global and particularly the United States of America where a number of our Bahamian students, totaling in the hundreds, wouldve previously gone for the extension of their educational experience and many of whom who are now refusing to go back because of the pandemic circumstances in the United States, it is anticipated, according to the officials of (UB), that the enrolment at the university this Fall will exceed 6,000 students, Mr Lloyd said.

Foreign students pursuing a degree in America may face deportation as US media reports these students will have to leave the country if their universities transitioned to online-only learning. The news affects many Bahamians in the US possibly having to come back home to finish their classes.

Meanwhile, the minister also revealed the university will receive an overall total of some $49.2 million this budget year highlighting it is some $11 million higher than its highest peek in its history.

This includes a total of $18.5 million for its tuition grant support - a $1.5 million increase compared to the 2019-2020 $17 million allocation.

Mr Lloyd explained that he wanted to clarify the financial status of UB after media reports on an alleged reduction in its budget. He said the institutions overall support has increased by some $10 million since the government came into office in 2017 and the number of students, mostly full-time, attending the university has increased.

He added: The budget year 2018-19, UB received a total of $38,559,074. At that time it (serviced) approximately 4,800 students. In 2019-20, it received a budget of $30,744,000 for its operation.

He indicated the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institutions budget has been increased to expand its capabilities and technological offerings for that institutions nearly 6,000 Bahamian students.

See the original post here:

University of The Bahamas will have at least 6000 students, says Lloyd - Bahamas Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FACULTY and staff at University of The Bahamas-Northare concerned over unconfirmed speculation of a proposal to discontinue operations in Grand Bahama. This comes even as the university has accepted an insurance settlement claim for Hurricane Dorian damage of the northern campus in East Grand Bahama. There is speculation the university will be converted to a virtual campus.

Staff aredisheartened by the rumours and opposed to any possible closure of the campus, which is now temporarily relocated at a building complex in Freeport.

They findthe proposition disturbing after being assured last year by UB President Dr Rodney Smith following his post-Dorian visit that the north campus would be rebuilt and returned to downtown Freeport.

The staff is calling for the university president and the board of trustees to address their concerns regarding the future of the northern campus.

Aletter addressed to the president and board of trustees read: This letter reflects the collective views of faculty and staff of the great UB-North. We are writing to you to reaffirm our commitment to quality tertiary education in the Northern Bahamas, which began over 40 years ago and to emphasise our dedication to increasing access to higher education throughout our archipelago, as is enshrined in the UB Act of 2016. But we are also writing to express our profound opposition to the alleged proposal to discontinue operations at the University of The Bahamas Northern Campus. We find this proposition to be short-sighted and most disturbing.

Referring to a statement made by the UB president on July 5, staff indicated that there were subtle references to the issue. Our small and close-knit community remains disheartened by these rumours, which, to date, have not been officially confirmed nor dispelled by the UB administration or the board of trustees.

It was noted that UB-North has maintained consistent enrolment and steady growth in recent years. Staffsaid for the upcoming fall semester application numbers have increased. It was also noted that before Hurricane Dorian, the residence halls occupancy doubled in a single year.

UBs $12m campus in East Grand Bahama sustained severe flood damage as a result of a 25ft storm surge during Dorian. The entire ground floor was destroyed, resulting in a significant loss of equipment and furniture.

Additionally, the newly built $3m student residence Hawksbill Hall built and opened last May was also damaged. The Grand Bahama Port Authority had donated 50 acres of land in East Grand Bahama to the university for the development of the north campus.

In the letter, it was noted that in the aftermath of Dorian, the UB-North faculty was left with very sub-standard teaching conditions.

The current campus consists of two small classrooms which they said has reduced the ability to offer an adequate number of daytime courses, and a small, 24-hour computer lab with unreliable air-conditioning that often malfunctioned due to overuse.

We must, therefore, move swiftly to rebuild the campus as the faculty and staff have patiently endured some extremely challenging working conditions for almost one year now, the letter noted. Faculty have been without offices to properly assist and advise students or hold student conferences. Staff has been faithfully working in cramped, common workspaces shared by multiple departments as well as from workstations located in hallways. Yet, we have still provided consistent quality service. A new campus that addresses these concerns is imperative, as we must also now co-exist with COVID-19 and its new health and safety challenges.

It was also mentioned that UB-North had submitted a strategic plan that was approved by the board of trustees, concerning the relocation of the UB-North campus as the first of seven strategic goals.

We were further informed that this would be accomplished with the funds from the Hurricane Dorian insurance claim. To this end, a downtown facility was identified, and UB North Vice President Dr Ian Strachan presented an engineers report confirming the structural integrity of this facility, the letter noted.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday regarding a possible closure of the north campus, Dr Ian Strachan, vice president of UB North said that he could neither confirm nor deny whetheruniversity officialsare contemplating such action as a cost-saving measure.

I fully understand the anxiety such an idea would create, Dr Strachan said. My focus is rebuilding UB-North and I believe that is a no-brainer. I want to remind people that before Dorian hit we had over 500 students enrolled last August that represented a 15 percent to 20 percent increase over the previous year.

Dr Strachan believes that an investment in a new downtown campus could mean tens of millions of dollars circulating in the Grand Bahama economy over the nextfour years.

With the right decisions UB-North can have 800 to 1,000 students a year, he stated.

He also noted that before the storm UB-North was very close to signing a multi-million dollar agreement with an industrial sector company that would have revolutionised the way the university and the private sector collaborate to improve the Bahamian way of life.

Companies and universities worldwide are willing and able to help rebuild UB-North. We are certain of this. People need hope. Education gives hope. And the opportunity for a better life. Grand Bahamians, Biminites and Abaconians deserve hope and opportunity, said Dr Strachan, who noted that UB has had a physical presence in Grand Bahama for over 30 years.

Dorian and COVID are offering us a beautiful silver lining and thats a new campus downtown. Despite the very difficult economic times the nation is facing, believe it or not, this is an excellent time to invest in education and our team believes that here in Grand Bahama, a reimagined UB-North can be a valuable tool in the islands recovery and future growth, he said.

More:

University staff's fears over Grand Bahama campus future - Bahamas Tribune

By FELICITY DARVILLE

This special Independence edition is dedicated to the very first person I ever saw face to face in this entire world my mother. As I reflect on my country, its achievements, and where it needs to go in the future, I continue to honour those who have paved the way. My mother Agatha Watson is among them.

The year 1973 was a special time in our country. Bahamians were proud and were embracing all the hopes and dreams of a newly-independent country. In every aspect of life where Bahamians were succeeding, they were celebrated. So when my mother won the Miss Bahamas title that year, she also won the adoration of thousands near and far. A beautiful 18-year-old girl from Long Island who was humble, sweet and sincere wore the crown that sent her around the world representing her newly-independent country.

The beautiful thing is, my mother has remained that way all her life. She is a petite, graceful, kindhearted woman who loves her country and is filled with Bahamian pride. Throughout the years, she has proven that what she presented on that stage, and the way she was when she wore the crown, was real and true.

My mother was born to William and Olga Watson in the remote and southernmost settlement on Long Island, Gordons. There, my grandfather and his brothers Thomas, Edgar and Bruce raised their families. So, Gordons really comprised of all Watsons. They enjoyed one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. There, my mother grew up with her six brothers and her cousins enjoying all the childhood bliss the islands provide. They spent a lot of time on the beach, as my Papa and his brothers were fishermen and farmers.

I loved to read and would sit under the lignum vitae tree every afternoon after school and on weekends and read whatever I could get my hands on, mom said of her childhood days.

I would imagine the far away places I read about and dreamed about visiting them one day. Every night before going to bed, I had to read a chapter from the Bible to daddy.

Agatha attended Mortimers All Age School until she was 11-years-old. The Government offered scholarships to Family Island students to attend school in New Providence. She had taken the exams for three schools but choose St Johns College because she had heard that Father Pestaina was at that school and she was familiar with him as he was the Priest at Holy Family Anglican church in Mortimers in earlier years.

She found the transition to Nassau difficult. She was away from her parents and cousins and although she went to live with her older brother with his family, it was not the same.

There was no one my age there, and I really missed my cousins, my parents and younger brother and most of all, the sound of the ocean at night. I think that reading the Bible, especially the 23rd Psalm, helped me through difficult times when I transitioned to Nassau. I had a New Testament given to most of us by our cousin, Pastor Rex Major, and I kept that and read from it every night as if I was reading to my father.

At St Johns, Agatha made many friends and enjoyed her high school years. She believes she was fortunate to have had Father Neil Roach as the homeroom teacher for her form, because he treated all of them as if they were his children. During her last year of high school, the students were subject to career talks to help them determine their future path. She was not sure of what she wanted to do, but she did know that she wanted to travel. She decided she would see how she could get into interior decorating, and she collected information on this field, but she knew that her parents could not afford to send her away for training.

While I was contemplating this, one of my classmates, Buena Wright, telephoned me to say that there was an ad in the newspaper by Bahamas World Airlines for stewardesses, she recalls.

So together, we went and were hired on the spot! Unfortunately for me, my brother with whom I lived, discouraged me and said that I should go to BTVI (Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute) and do a secretarial course. I did this, and at the same time I discovered that they had an Architectural Drafting course, so I took that course also.

At BTVI, employers would often take on students as apprentices, and Agatha was fortunate to have been selected from the Architectural programme to work with Mr Howard Dobell, whose company Dobell Howard Humpreys was the engineer for a few Government schools at the time, including SC Mcpherson and LW Young. She accompanied him on site visits to these schools.

Eventually, she moved from her brothers house and was living with a woman who would become like a sister to her, Mavis McCartney-Smith. She used to babysit for her and she ended up moving in, because Mavis worked at a hotel and sometimes it would be too late to drop Agatha back home.

One Sunday afternoon, two of her friends came to have lunch with us, Agatha said.

We were all sitting around the dining table and one of them mentioned that there was an ad in the newspaper looking for attractive young ladies to enter the Miss Bahamas pageant, and that the top prize was a European trip. She suggested that I apply. Well I did not think I would be a good candidate as I did not have much experience I had not travelled anywhere and basically lived a sheltered life. After much coaxing from Mavis, I finally called one of the members and went to the meeting. Well after meeting the other contestants, I decided I would do it just for experience, because I was much shorter than most of them and they already had their sponsor. I would have to find a sponsor. However, Mr Dobells company ended up being my sponsor and so I was set! I did not tell my family - especially my older brother - because I felt he would discourage me again. They did not know until they saw the contestants in the newspaper!

The Miss Bahamas pageant should have been held in early July, but because of the excitement and anticipation of our country becoming Independent, and with all of the events leading up to July 10, 1973, the pageant was not held until August 27.

The night of Independence, I was among the thousands of Bahamians at Fort Charlotte waiting with baited breadth for the raising of the Bahamian flag, Agatha recalled.

During preparation for the pageant, the committee members shared with us the importance of being an Independent country, and pride was welling up in all our hearts.

So my reign as Miss Bahamas 1973-1974 was a special time, and completely different from any other queens. I felt a sense of pride and privilege to be able to represent the new Bahamas and at the same time, I was afraid that I would not be capable of representing well.

However, she represented this country outstandingly, and continued to contribute to the Miss Bahamas pageant as a committee member, assisting in moulding young women to become ambassadors for their country for many years. She has also spent many years as a committed judge for the Junkanoo parades.

In 1974, the Miss Universe pageant was held in Manila, the Philippines: I enjoyed the three weeks there among the other contestants touring the city, even though the rehearsals and schedules for events were tiring. On the day of the parade through the streets of Manila, all contestants rode on vehicles with their country flag as identification, but when I was taken to my vehicle, the British flag was on it. I refused to go on the vehicle as I had brought a Bahamian flag with me and gave it to the organizers to be sure that I had our flag for the parade. I was upset and insisted that they find my flag. Up until that time, my photo was in the newspapers in Manila a lot. It seemed that after that, I was not very popular. I did not make the finals, but my roommate Miss Wales was the first runner-up and I was happy for her.

As was the custom for the new Miss Bahamas, Agatha was hired by the Ministry of Tourism. Juanita Carey was her boss, and along with Athama Bowe, they made sure to give Agatha all the literature she needed to be well-informed about her country. She spent most of her reigning year travelling around the USA, Canada and Europe with Tourism officials and Tourism Minister, Sir Clement Maynard.

On a trip to Chicago, I was in the hotel lobby with Al Collie and the VIPs, she said.

Sir Clement must have overheard us all talking and of course in Bahamianese - because a day or so after our return to Nassau I was told that the Minister wanted to see me. I was nervous and wondered what it was about. Well to my surprise he called me to compliment me. He said that he was pleasantly surprised to hear me speak in proper English and answer the TV show host confidently and knowledgeably. He just wanted to say I did a good job!

I am thankful for my parents who instilled in me the importance of being truthful and to always try to do the best at whatever you were doing, and I encourage my children and grand-children to do the same. My mother taught me to pray every morning as soon as I awake. She always said to ask God to help you through the day.

These days are so different from the way they were 47 years ago: We say we are proud to be Bahamian, but what does it really mean? I am not so sure that we are because we seem to take on the identity of the foreigners in our country instead of promoting our own culture and love for ourselves. Our young people, especially young men, seem to be so very angry and they are killing each other over simple things.

Still gracious, and still true, the Independence queen of The Bahamas appeals to her fellow Bahamians to remember that manners, respect and love of country helped make Bahamians who they are and without these virtues, we could lose the very essence of being Bahamian.

Follow this link:

FACE TO FACE: My Bahamian queen in the year of Independence - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis decision to close beaches on New Providence, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama over the Independence holiday weekend received a flurry of mixed reactions from the public on social media yesterday.

While many were outraged and strongly criticized the decision and the government, others defended the move.

The closure of beaches and parks will take effect Thursday at 10pm, until 5am next Monday, July 13.

As he addressed Parliament, the prime minister underscored the ongoing surge of new infections in the US, particularly Florida, Texas and Arizona.

He said the government was aware of what may have contributed to some of the surge.

Yesterday, Tee Moss, a New Providence resident, said the Bahamian government appeared to be piggybacking off the US policies when the population and case rates in the US and The Bahamas were vastly different.

We have just gotten the beaches back and now you play with us like kids, putting us on time out, he said.

This is a nation of free citizens, not your children.

its time to go jack. I dont know who is voting FNM, but only a dog would be that [expletive].

Due to the rising cases in the US, the fourth of July celebrations were cancelled and some beaches in Florida, California and Texas closed in an effort to discourage large crowds.

Rochelle Sturrup added: So the virus [go] up on the beach on Independence then? You want to talk about surge in numbers in Florida to justify this [expletive], but the surge in numbers didnt matter on July 1 when you reopened for international flights.

Jemeka Wilkinson said it was counterintuitive to open the borders to visitors, particularly Americans who are experiencing surges of cases of COVID in their jurisdiction, if the government wished to mitigate risks.

The resumption of commercial carriers into The Bahamas occurred on July 1.

Beaches reopened on June 29.

Wilkinson said it was absurd the rights of the Bahamian people were being yanked around.

While I get there are some who will break the law, there are many doing the right thing suffering, she said.

However, Beatrice Clarke said Bahamians were ungrateful.

She said those lashing the prime minister do not understand the issues at hand.

Take a look at the United States and what they are going through all because the [masses] wanted to go on the beaches, Clarke said.

Keep yall virus in yall household and stay [your] [expletive] home.

Kenneth Richie agreed.

He said a leader must lead and expressed support for the decision to close the beach as a help toward the public being responsible in our movement.

Bradford Roker-Saunders said the decision was about managing risks.

Our recent behavior suggests that we will not follow social distancing rules, so [expletive] off the beaches. We cannot arrest and fine thousands, so this is the best option.

Others labelled the prime minister an emperor and dictator.

The dictator is now the emperor and The Bahamas is officially a police state, said Joseph Ferguson, adding that there was nothing that could be done about it.

Curtis Reno asserted the decision appeared to be prejudicial.

The beaches are only closed to black Bahamian population who use the regular beaches, he said.

The beaches over Paradise Island the hotels tourists and gated communities will be enjoying our beaches.

This emergency order, lockdowns, are no longer about COVID.

Its about a police state stripping away our rights.

Antoine Wallace said with high summer temperatures, the move was unthinkable.

He opined the rights of Bahamians were being stifled and taken away.

What is the medical justification for this madness, he continued.

Which country opens up its borders in a state of emergency?

My God, it is our countrys Independence.

This nonsense must stop. Stand up Bahamians. Stand up for your rights.

Stacey Smith charged that without a new case in over three weeks, and no COVID-19-related deaths since April, there was no reason to close the beaches.

There have been no few infections in New Providence in 22 days, Grand Bahama in 61 days and Bimini in 51 days.

As of yesterday, the total number of cases remained at 104.

However, only four cases remain active.

Health officials said last month the curve of the virus had been flattened, and while cases could appear in clusters, community spread had been curbed.

Go here to read the rest:

Mixed reaction to beach closures EyeWitness News - EyeWitness News

By Frederick R M SMITH, QC

Sadly, unnecessarily and illegally, the life of an innocent young Bahamian in waiting is in limbo!

As the following news story evidences, Marchar Jean, the Valedictorian from C. R. Walker Senior High School, is caught in an illegal bureaucratic trap forcing her to live an illegal purgatory of statelessness and unconstitutional discrimination! Please view her story on this news report.

https://www.facebook.com/OURNewsREV/videos/valedictorian-uncertain-about-future/750891492384881/

Need For Efficiency at Immigration

I urge the Immigration Department to become more efficient in granting Belongers Permits to people born in The Bahamas of non-citizen parents, and to issue Certificates of Citizenship Registration to those applying between the ages of 18 to 19.

There are thousands of children in her position, under 18, unable to apply for registration and locked in Discrimination Limbo Land illegally foisted upon the public in a policy dreamt up in 2014 by former PLP Minister of Immigration Fred Mitchell [now a PLP Senator].

The Bahamas is now visiting these unfortunate children with, as the Catholics say, Original Sin.

They are being treated and presumed to be guilty as opposed to innocent.

Pass a Simple Citizenship Law

I urge this FNM government, as a matter of critical urgency to the lives of thousands of innocent children and adults, to pass a simple law that would make it so easy for thousands of people to live productive, positive, constructive lives instead of being overshadowed by a stupid, unnecessary, bureaucratic and cumbersome process of waiting for a piece of paper that says they belong in The Bahamas even though they are born here!

There would be no need to amend the Constitution! All that would be necessary would just be political will to respect such a law.

They would not have to apply to the Immigration Department for a Belongers Permit. Their lives would not be in limbo. They would not be constantly treated as second class citizens or outlaws!

And this Valedictorian, who has done nothing wrong except to be born of non-citizen parents, could simply go to the University of The Bahamas!

Such a law would reduce costs to the taxpayer of having to administerthe Belongers Permit system at the DOI. It would avoid all these children having to bear the challenging paper production process and costs of translations and certified copies of documents and papers to present to the government. It would save time for Immigration and Cabinet who would not have to process applications which they have to approve by law anyway. What a waste of public officials time.

It would also help to reduce the corruption that exists at the Immigration Department.

Pass a simple law that says once born in The Bahamas you are automatically Bahamian and you dont have to apply to anybody for a piece of paper.

Simple, easy, no cost to the government and taxpayer of having to process thousands of applications which keep thousands of young and adult lives in limbo!

End Mitchells Misery

This would be a positive step for this FNM government to take.It would end Mitchells 2014 policy that has made the lives of thousands of innocents miserable and unbearable.

Before Fred Mitchell introduced the illegal policy of requiring everybody having to have a piece of paper to be treated as a Bahamian, the government recognized and publicized that having a Birth Certificate was Your Passport to Citizenship!

We in the Bahamas need to be more compassionate, sensible and reasonable.

We should return to the pre-2014 position where the presentation of a Birth Certificate, evidencing that a person was born in the Bahamas whether their parents are citizens or not, means they are automatically treated as citizens of The Bahamas and could contribute to the growth of our nation and gave them the dignity to be equal citizens of this country.

We should stop this imbecilic, hurtful, inhuman and degrading treatment of children and adults who have done nothing wrong except to be bornhere of non-citizen parents!

To this day, hanging in Government offices, is an Official Bahamas Government Notice from the Registrar Generals office which shows what the policy of ALL governments of The Bahamas was before Fred Mitchell introduced his policy in 2014 requiring everybody to have a piece of paper that says theyre Bahamian or face being in limbo, detention and or deportation to countries they have never been to.

Ministers Johnson and Lloyd

Very regrettably, this FNM government, elected in May 2017, has continued this vile, degrading, illegal and demeaning PLP policy.

I cry shame on the FNM.

But they have it in their power to change this overnight.

Just like Fred Mitchell woke up one morning on the wrong side of bed and issued his illegal policy edict in November 2104, FNM Ministers Jeff Lloyd [Education] and Elsworth Johnson [Immigration] can wake up on the right side of bed and issue a policy statement and return us to normalcy.

History will judge all of these Ministers. I hope Ministers Lloyd and Johnson put themselves on the right side of Bahamian history! I remind them that Karma can be a Bitch!

This is a quick and easy fix. No legislation needed.

President Dr Rodney Smith, UB

I call on The University of The Bahamas to immediately end this policy and register Marshar Jean.

This policy of the University of the Bahamas is unconstitutional and illegal.

Its not the law, and Dr. Rodney Smith, President of UB, can also, hopefully find himself and UB on the right side of Bahamian history by ending an illegal discriminatory policy.

This is another quick and easy fix.

Prime Minister Minnis

Until such a law is passed, the FNM Government should return to the situation where the presentation of a Birth Certificate, evidencing that a person was born in The Bahamas, whether to parents who are citizens or not, means that they are automatically treated as citizens of The Bahamas and can contribute to the growth of our nation and allow them the dignity to be equal citizens of this country.

As before 2014, they could then get a drivers licence, a wedding licence, open a bank account, get a business licence, get a US visa, get a passport, travel, register and get a National Insurance card and GET a JOB! And, they would not have to hide and lurk in the shadows, live as presumed outlaws and the daily terror and fear of being picked up illegally by the Yellow Immigration Bus and carted off to the Carmichael Concentration Camp indefinitely.

This is another easy step for the government to take.

I invite PM Minnis to also put himself on the right side of history.

Reverse Fred Mitchells inhuman and degrading policy and revert to simply requiring proof of citizenship by a birth certificate.

And pass the simple law.

Frederick Smith born in Haiti - yet Bahamian! How perverse and insane is it that a person like me, who was born in Haiti, and who does not [because I am not legally required to] have a piece of paper to say that I am Bahamian Citizen am treated and function as such.

YET! A person born in The Bahamas, like this innocent Marshar Jean, who has a Bahamian Birth Certificate is not automatically treated as and deemed to be a Bahamian. This is the height of bureaucratic absurdity and Fred Mitchell is the culprit.

I cry shame on Fred Mitchell for this perverted affliction visited on these thousands of innocent Bahamians-in-Waiting.

It is the height of bureaucraticnonsense to require people born here to carry around a piece of paper proving they are Bahamian citizens. Most Bahamians do not have [and are not legally required to have] a paper that says I am a Citizen of The Bahamas. Being born in The Bahamas and having a birth certificate should be automatic proof, just like me, born in Haiti, to a Bahamian father means I am automatically Bahamian and treated as such.

I beg my FNM government to revert to reason, common sense, respect for the dignity of others and compassion.

Let the FNM be on the right side of Bahamian history.

Link:

INSIGHT: Marchar Jean was her school's star pupil - today she's trapped by a nonsensical system which is a stain on our nation - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today made an impassioned plea for Bahamians and residents to understand the decision made to close beaches and parks over the Independence holiday weekend is a sacrifice for three days for a healthier and better nation.

I ask the young people today, Im only asking you to sacrifice three days for a healthier and better nationI ask the entire nation, tourists included, just three days, the prime minister said in Parliament this morning.

He continued: Are we not worth three days to save a nation? Be responsible. If you love yourself, if you love your future generation, and if you love your country and I know the member for Cat Island loves his country so I ask the entire nation Mr. Speaker, including out visitors, three days.

Thats all we ask, three days to save this little nation. We just had two additional cases.

We dont know where they travelled. Were investigating them now. Our decisions Mr. Speaker are for the protection of Bahamians, the residents and visitors to our shores.

The closure of beaches and parks will take effect Thursday at 10pm, until 5am next Monday, July 13.

The prime minister announced two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Grand Bahama today, and results were pending on a third suspected case the first confirmed cases in the country in over three weeks, and the first new infections for Grand Bahama in over 60 days.

The latest infections pushed the total number of cases to 106.

The Bahamas opened its borders to international commercial carriers on July 1, welcoming visitors from across the globe, despite surges of cases in several jurisdictions, including the United States.

Visitors are required to have a negative PCR COVID test within seven days of travel to enter The Bahamas in additional to a pre-screening to determine their health risk.

Today, Minnis said visitors must also understand the needed sacrifice of beach closures.

To our visitors, I know that youve come to utilize and swim in our beaches, he said.

If you love this Bahamas like you say you do, then I ask you to make this sacrifice with us.

As he addressed Parliament Monday, the prime minister underscored the ongoing surge of new infections in the US, particularly Florida, Texas and Arizona.

He said the government was aware of what may have contributed to some of the surge.

The prime ministers announcement prompted a flurry of mixed reactions on social media. While many were outraged and strongly criticized the decision, others defended the move.

St Annes MP Brent Symonette told The Nassau Guardian the prime minister ought to provide a full explanation on the decision to the Bahamian people.

Today, Minnis said his conscience is clear and resolved.

He also said given the risks associated with the spread of the virus and the long terms health implications, he believes Symonette now understands the need for the closure.

We are doing the right thing to stop the spread of this virus, the prime minister said.

More here:

PM calls for beach sacrifice to save nation - EyeWitness News

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Bahamian recording artist Nakhaz celebrates Bahamas Independence Day with the release of his debut project Watch the Road. The nine-track presentation showcases Nakhazs song making ability, as he covers topics that range from love, family, struggle and gun violence; while not taking away from the energetic, and digestible vibe of the music. The project takes listeners on a trip through the obstacles of his life. Nakhaz describes the road as a metaphor for life explaining further that we are gonna have roadblocks, were gonna have potholesno matter what, pay attention to where you are going. This release follows the success of his singles Your Love and Im a Bahamian, the latter garnering him national attention, as Bahamian social media users were supportive of the representation. In a time where African and Caribbean music is getting recognition on the big stages, Watch the Road introduces Nakhaz as a necessary entity in that growing space.

Read this article:

Bahamian recording artist Nakhaz celebrates Bahamas Independence Day with the release of his debut project 'Watch the Road' - GRUNGECAKE

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has moved the country into Phase 3 of its plan to re-open the economy, reducing curfew hours and relaxing restrictions on several sectors.

The 24-hour curfew will be lifted effective next Tuesday across the country, allowing free roam for residents between 5am and 9pm. However, weekend lockdown will continue on Fridays at 9pm to Mondays at 5am.

During the lockdown, residents may exercise in their immediate neighborhood between 5am and 9pm.

This upcoming weekend will include the Whit Monday holiday and the Labour Day Holiday.

In Phase 3, non-essential storefront business operations with essential staff may reopen, though they must post protocols and train their employees as to those protocols.

Stores must limit the number of customers based in stores and manage lines outside of storefronts with markers and security staff.

Minnis said churches will be allowed to resume in-sanctuary services on Saturdays and Sundays on June 6.

According to the governments phased plan, education operations, including national examination based on appropriate social distancing and masks.

The prime minister said he expects the education minister to make an announcement concerning the BGCSE examinations so as not to disadvantage students.

Law firms, justice of the peace and real estate agencies, financial services, including accounting services may operate between 9am and 5pm.

Retailers, including suppliers of cleaning mechanicals, fabric stores, auto part stores and mechanics, may operate between 7am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Effective June 2, public beaches and parks will be opened on all islands except Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island, New Providence, Paradise Island and San Salvador.

At that time, commencement of graduation ceremonies, funerals and weddings, in groups of no more than 30, can be convened with the approval of the competent authority.

Minnis said the public must act responsibly and continue to follow the advise and recommendations from health professionals.

International travel remains restricted to nationals returning home with strict protocols, he said.

He said: If we dont, again unnecessary lives will be lost.

Minnis said without moving into the new norm, the entire economy can be destroyed and rather that losing a few jobs, we can lose all

We are living in a new normal in which we must continue to practice.

He said before relaxing measures further, a risk assessment must be performed to explore the risk of opening of further; the ability of the public healthcare system to rapidly detect a resurgence of cases and absorb the load, as well as its ability provide medical care.

The prime minister said social distancing and hygiene measures undertaken in The Bahamas has not only limited the spread, but saved lives.

As of today, there were 100 confirmed cases of the virus, of which 43 were active.

There have been 78 cases in New Providence, 13 in Bimini, eight in Grand Bahama, and one in Cat Cay. The last confirmed case was on May 23. Six patients remain hospitalized.

The rate of cases demonstrates a flattening of the curve. There remain no specific therapeutics or vaccines for the virus.

He said as the country moves to reopen domestically and internationally, the public must remember the pandemic is ongoing, and all precautionary measures must be taken.

He said those who feel ill, must follow protocols to seek medical attention and call in advance of visiting a healthcare facility.

He said a mask must be worn, and residents should continue to reframe from handshaking and touching their faces.

Read more:

PHASE 3: Churches, gaming houses, and some island beaches open - EyeWitness News