Category Archives: Bahamas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the travel advice for the Bahamas. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the agency is recommending everyone to avoid all travel to the Islands.

The reasoning is somewhat unclear from the agency. It comes just weeks before the cruise industry plans a major restart in the Caribbean, while several vessels will be sailing from and to the Bahamas this summer.

According to local infectious disease experts, the Bahamas have a relatively low number of cases, although the country has been entering its third wave. Last week saw 297 infections, while the week prior saw 189 infections. Currently, there are 441 active cases spread over the archipelago.

The decision to raise the Covid-19 level to level 4, the highest level, and tell US citizens to avoid all travel to the Bahamas can be called surprising, mainly because it also says all fully vaccinated people should avoid travel to the Islands. Previously, the notice was at level 3. In the meantime, the CDC is saying that travel within the US can be done while vaccinated.

The message on the CDC website reads as follows:

The message from the CDC comes just days after the agency had updated its warning about cruising, warning people to avoid all cruise travel.

With many cruise lines planning to sail from the Bahamas in the upcoming weeks and months, raising the level for the Bahamas could well be seen as a travel block to the Islands for US citizens to avoid cruising from the Bahamas.

So far, the CDC has not placed any restrictions on travel to the Bahamas; cruisers do not have to self-quarantine after traveling to the Bahamas. Although the advice is that anyone who returns from the Bahamas is tested after arrival back in the US.

Also Read: IDEAL Nassau, Bahamas Hotels for Cruise Visitors

The Bahamas itself are reasonably confident that the third wave will not affect the tourism industry as it has implemented a set of measures it is confident will suffice.

Travelers must have a valid PCR test five days before applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa. Besides this, the Islands have specific guidelines for each island. According to Both Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis and Health Minister Renward Wells, there are no plans to increase COVID restrictions.

In the meantime, the Bahamas has worked hard to get the economy restarted and hopes to do so with the help of cruise lines.

So far, Crystal Cruises is planning to start sailing from the Islands in July, while Royal Caribbeans Adventure of the Seas will start operating in June. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, amongst others, has announced cruises from the US to the Bahamas in July as well.

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CDC Updates Bahamas Travel Advisory, What's the Impact on Cruises? - Cruise Hive

As the Bahamas prepares to welcome back cruise ships in less than two months, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is telling travelers to avoid all travel to the island destination.

In a new update today, the CDC raised its warning to Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19 in the Bahamas. The updated advice reads as follows:

Because of the current situation in the Bahamas even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to the Bahamas. If you must travel to the Bahamas, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travelers should wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, avoid crowds, and wash their hands.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the archipelago of more than 700 islands has seen 9,634 cases and 194 deaths among a population of just under 400,000. There are currently 387 active cases and 46 Bahamians hospitalized.

As with many parts of the world where variants are spreading and vaccination efforts are not as far advanced as in places like Israel, the UK, and the U.S., the Bahamas has seen a recent spike in cases to levels that havent been seen in months.

Last Friday, Bahamian newspaper The Tribune quoted former Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands saying that draconian interventions might be needed to bring the rising case count under control.

We have a problem, Dr. Sands said. Its a national problem and its a serious issue that threatens the health and the economic livelihood of The Bahamas. What intervention is required now is going to have to be determined on the basis of the assessment of how severe this situation is.

The news comes as a number of cruise lines plan to operate in the Bahamas this summer in part because of current CDC regulations that are preventing ships from sailing from U.S. ports.

Royal Caribbeans Adventure of the Seas is due to homeport in Nassau beginning in June. Luxury line Crystal Cruises is also heading to the islands, with all-Bahamas itineraries departing Nassau beginning July 3. And Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line recently announced plans to begin sailing the Grand Classica between West Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island on July 2.

Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises will require all adults to be vaccinated, while Bahamas Paradise says its current plans do not include a vaccination requirement.

As Cruise Radio reported last week, the CDC doesnt currently want Americans getting on a cruise ship in the Bahamas or anywhere else. The agencys cruise travel warning remains at Level 4: Very High COVID-19.

CDC recommends that all people avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide. Thats because the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high since the virus appears to spread more easily between people in close quarters aboard ships. It is especially important that people with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises.

For those who choose to travel despite its warning, the CDC website offers advice on precautions to take before, during, and after a cruise.

The cruise industry is currently in discussions with the CDC and White House officials to try and develop a safe path and timeline for reopening the industry. Cruise executives still hope to have at least some ships sailing from the U.S. this summer.

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CDC Raises Warning, Advises Against Traveling to Bahamas - Cruise Radio

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Tribune Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has told Americans to avoid travel to The Bahamas, citing a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

Yesterday, the United States chief public health agency increased the countrys health notice from level three to level four.

The nation had remained at level three since late January, after previously being listed at level four by the CDC last year due to virus infections.

Travellers should avoid all travel to The Bahamas, the CDC advisory read. Because of the current situation in The Bahamas, even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to The Bahamas.

If you must travel to The Bahamas, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travellers should wear a mask, stay six feet from others, avoid crowds and wash their hands.

According to international media reports, the US State Department said yesterday it planned to boost its Do Not Travel guidance to about 80 percent of countries worldwide, citing unprecedented risk to travellers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Department already listed 34 out of about 200 countries as Level 4: Do Not Travel, including places like Chad, Kosovo, Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Haiti, Mozambique, Russia and Tanzania. Getting to 80 percent would imply adding nearly 130 countries, according to reports. The Bahamas currently has a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory from the US State Dept.

Over the last several days, there have been 158 new cases, according to information released by the Ministry of Health, lending to concerns by officials that a third COVID-19 wave is underway.

There were 55 new COVID-19 cases in the country, including nine in Abaco, on Sunday, April 18. Officials said Abacos number reflected a testing exercise on April 1 at an Abaco based construction company.

A further breakdown of Sundays cases showed 21 in New Providence, 12 in Grand Bahama, one in Eleuthera, four in Andros and eight cases with locations pending.

On Saturday April 16 there were 40 new cases, on Friday, 62 cases were recorded and on Thursday 41 new cases recorded.

Additionally, there were 30 on Wednesday, 58 on Tuesday, 45 on Monday and 21 last Sunday for a total of 297 last week.

The week prior saw 189 infections.

With total COVID-19 cases nearing the 10,000 mark, the countrys top infectious disease expert, Dr Nikkiah Forbes believes The Bahamas is now facing its third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Total COVID-19 cases now stand at 9,791.

Dr Forbes, a COVID-19 task force member, said the nation could still get a handle on the situation if Bahamians continue to follow all of the health measures among other things.

She also noted vaccinations, COVID-19 testing and isolation strategies will be key in helping to tackle this wave of the pandemic but said all measures will have to be done in combination.

She said: The public health measures are very effective, but the key is for that to work is everybody has to follow themThe other way that the COVID outbreak could be stopped is a full robust vaccination programme but that takes time and we have to get a very large proportion of the population immunised and that takes time so theres two partsprevention like the vaccine and public health measuresand then theres control measures.

(This includes) having public health platforms that identifies the cases early and early means it has to be done very early like within a day or two and put those cases in isolation and find the high-risk contact and put them in quarantine and do follow up testing and it can work, but all those things have to be done in combination.

The countrys death toll is 194.

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'DON'T GO THERE': U.S. puts Bahamas back on top level alert as cases rise - Bahamas Tribune

Like many Americans, by the time spring rolled around after a long, cold, lonely COVID winter, I was ready to get the hell out of dodge for sunnier climes where I could at least pretend life was normal.

But where to go? The pandemic still runs amok, and it seems that fewer people are taking it as seriously as they did last year. I desperately wanted to sit on a beach, swim in the ocean and relax so, Florida? After all, much of New York seems to have moved there.

Then I saw reports of hordes roaming maskless in the streets, bars and restaurants. Miami Beach even sent SWAT teams out to enforce itsemergency curfew, albeit it to little avail as spring-break partiers twerked the night away. This was a non-option for me.

Fate intervened, however, when friends asked me to stay with them on Kamalame Cay, a private island in Andros, Bahamas. I had also heard about Baha Mar, the huge resort in Nassau, Bahamas, that launched a travel with confidence program in February: If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while staying at Baha Mar, the hotel will put them up for 14 days in a suite or fly them privately to the US for free.

Still nervous, I did my research and found that the Bahamas which has a population of less than 400,000 had had only 9,460 cases of COVID with just 190 deaths from the virus since the start of the pandemic. Thats just over a 2 percent infection rate and just under a .05 death rate. Miami-Dade Countys 2.7 million population, meanwhile, has reported a 17 percent infection rate and a .22 death rate. So I decided to spend two days at Baha Mar before joining my friends on Kamalame.

The Bahamas low rates are mostly due to the island taking COVID so seriously. Anyone arriving in the country must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more thanfive days prior to the date of arrival.

Once you land, your health visa lasts for five days. As I had already spent three days on the island, I had to get another PCR test in Nassau before I was allowed to travel to Kamalame Cay in Andros.

Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay

The Tennessee teen who was fatally shot by police after...

Tourism is our life here we had no life for a year, and one bad apple can ruin it for all of us, Wilda, a taxi driver told me. We take this very seriously.

And they do. Mask wearing is rigorously enforced inside buildings and in public areas. Sanitization stands are everywhere. Before you can officially check into Baha Mar, you are sent to see the doctor and then quarantined in your room until you get your test results (usually within 20 minutes). Youre then required to wear masks everywhere but the dining areas, pools and beach.

Paula Froelich

Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay

The Tennessee teen who was fatally shot by police after...

Things were different at Kamalame Cay, a private island with just 27 beachfront bungalows and villas. In fact, it was almost as if COVID hadnt happened at all. Thanks to regular testing, a plethora of open-air common buildings, and the fact that quite a few people on island havent left for months, masks are not worn at all.

All food comes from the small islands farm or the sea, and people milled together for movie nights, barbecues and cocktail parties.

It turns out Bahamas was the ultimate luxury, not just because of where I stayed, but because it made me feel safe and normal.

While Miami and Palm Beach might have been nice for a few hours, the worry of Will I get COVID? would have ruined any relaxation and kept me shut in my room. I can stay in New York for that.

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Why vacationing in the Bahamas now is a dream come true - New York Post

As travel continues to climb to the Caribbean, one of the wider regions closest destinations to the United States is heating up.

The island of Grand Bahama is seeing a wave of activity, with hotel reopenings, a relaunch of cruising and the pathway to a major new airport.

Last month, Grand Bahamas Lighthouse Pointe all-inclusive reopened its doors, with 200 guest rooms and a number of eateries and the hotels leadership team says its already seeing strong bookings throughout the spring and into the summer.

And the islands other leading all-inclusive, the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, will reopen to guests later this week.

In July, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will be returning to Grand Bahama, with a planned relaunch onJuly 2, with two-night cruises sailing from the Port of Palm Beach.

That comes as Baleria Caribbean already resumed its ferry service from Fort Lauderdale earlier this year.

And the islands Grand Bahama International Airport is entering the final stages of its redevelopment, with an additional 250-seat departure area and now coming in at 8,000 square feet.

The island has also tapped into the growing demand for remote work and extended stays, with a number of hotels offering options for applicants to The Bahamas BEATS long-term stay program.

Its all part of what has been a broad, oingoing recovery from the impact of Hurricane Dorian at the end of 2019.

With cant-miss offers from a number of properties across the island, there is no better time than now to start planning a Grand Bahama Island vacation, the Grand Bahama Tourist Board said in a statement.

For more, vist Grand Bahama.

CJ

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The Island of Grand Bahama Is Heating Up Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal

Sandals Resorts International is planning a major renovation at its Sandals Royal Bahamian resort in Nassau, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The property will undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation project ahead of its planned November 4 reopening, according to the company.

The renovation will include a reimagining of more than 200 rooms and suites at the Cable Beach-area resort.

Thats along with the addition of river suites, along with several new features and facilities, according to the company.

The property will remain closed so as not to intrude upon the guest experience.

The move comes as Sandals marks the 25th anniversary of its entry to The Bahamas.

Sandals Royal Bahamian has a storied past and played a starring role in the history of Bahamian tourism, hosting rock stars and royalty, and we pledge our continued commitment to this captivating island, said Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart. We honor and celebrate our partnership with this great destination, looking forward not only to reopening this fall, but to the future, when together, Sandals and the Bahamas will continue to exceed our guests expectations.

The property has been closed amid the pandemic.

The company said guests with reservations at Sandals Royal Bahamian during its closure will be accommodated at the available Sandals resorts location of their choice, including Sandals Emerald Bay.

The company also said it would be assuming all airline change fees.

The other Sandals-branded resort in The Bahamas, Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, is currently open and welcoming guests.Sandals also owns the Fowl Cay luxe resort, also in Exuma, which reopened last summer.

Sandals will reopen two more resorts, both in Barbados, next month.

For more, visit Sandals Royal Bahamian.

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Sandals Planning Renovation at Bahamas All-Inclusive Resort - Caribbean Journal

Posted on April 18, 2021

Nassau The Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation following the death of a man after a plane crashed in waters near South Bimini late Friday.

It was reported that shortly before 10 p.m., the police were called to waters near the South Bimini International Airport, where the aircraft went down.

It was reported that the police, assisted by residents from Bimini, went to the crash site some 200 to 300 yards east of the airport runway.

Two men were pulled from the water one was alert but appeared to be severely injured, the other appeared lifeless.

Both were taken to the Bimini Clinic where one of them was pronounced dead.

The police reported that the aircraft left Tamami Airport in Florida earlier in the day on Friday with four passengers.

They arrived at the South Bimini International Airport shortly before 9 a.m. and all four passengers disembarked.

Later that day, shortly after 9 p.m., the two passengers took off from the South Bimini International Airport before the plane crashed. (CMC)

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Man killed in plane crash off The Bahamas - Nation News

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is to implement a new survey, the Seafarer COVID-19 Welfare Survey, designed to capture and reflect the mental health needs of seafarers around the world during the coronavirus pandemic. This initiative, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Washington School of Public Health, manifests itself as a short, online survey open to any and every seafarer.

Over the course of the last 12 months, The BMA has been assisting seafarers around the world and has observed through countless industry experiences, discussions and webinars that this pandemic has affected every seafarer in a different way some positively, but in most cases the emotional, physical and mental strain is ever-present, for now and perhaps well into the future.

The aim of the survey is to accurately collect information from front-line seafarers (who will remain anonymous throughout), specifically focusing on their mental health needs before and during the pandemic. The data collected will be analysed and used to understand the challenges our seafarers have experienced in order to develop effective solutions that raise awareness and guide international efforts to improve the livelihoods of those who choose to serve at sea.

The electronic survey itself is simple to complete and will take about 10 minutes. All results will be kept confidential at the University of Washington and respondents can choose not to answer any question with which they are uncomfortable. To maximise uptake, The BMA has approached a number of key industry bodies to support and raise awareness of the initiative, giving as many seafarers as possible the opportunity to participate and contribute towards this endeavour.

Tom Jenkins, Deputy Director and head of The BMAs Investigations Department, was responsible for implementing the survey. He said, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, but especially those members of our industry who form the backbone of the world economy and extend a lifeline to so many. The impact and repercussions of this pandemic cannot be overstated, and it is our collective responsibility to support these individuals and recognise the significance of their role in society. We very much hope that the results of the survey will enable the industry to provide the support identified by seafarers themselves as being the most appropriate in these difficult times.

Further information can be found on The BMA website.

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Bahamas to research mental wellbeing of seafarers ShipInsight - ShipInsight

MONTEGO BAY Sandals Royal Bahamian is getting a multi-million-dollar makeover in celebration of Sandals Resorts Internationals 25th anniversary in the Bahamas.

The award-winning hotel, spa and private island located in Nassau will unveil several new features and facilities, including the addition of iconic river suites and the refurbishment of over 200 rooms and suites. It will remain closed while construction is underway and will reopen ahead of the winter season on Nov. 4, 2021.

Sandals Royal Bahamian has a storied past and played a starring role in the history of Bahamian tourism, hosting rock stars and royalty, and we pledge our continued commitment to this captivating island, said SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart. We honour and celebrate our partnership with this great destination and are looking forward not only to reopening this fall but to the future when, together, Sandals and the Bahamas will continue to exceed our guests expectations.

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Sandals celebrates 25 year in the Bahamas with multi-million-dollar renovation - Travelweek

After the challenges caused by shipment delays, foundation problems and Hurricane Sandy in seasons one and two of Island of Bryan, season three now picks up with the hotel shutting down due to the pandemic about six weeks after Caerula Mars grand opening. We caught up with Bryan and Sarah Baeumler ahead of the season three kick-off on April 18 to chat about what the last year was like for them between lockdowns, renovations and reopening the resort for guests.

The first set of travel restrictions came into play about six weeks after our grand opening. The Bahamas was not allowing any international travel into the country, or even in between local islands. First and foremost, we had to make a decision about where we wanted to be with our children, and that was to avoid crowded international travel back to Canada and remain at the hotel on South Andros. All our renovations that were underway were halted, existing reservations had to be cancelled, and travellers refunded. We had to lay off the majority of our staff, but kept a skeleton crew on for maintenance, landscaping and housekeeping in order to protect the infrastructure of the hotel. It was a very difficult time.

We stayed on the island with the kids for about 10 months in order to avoid traveling through busy international airports and to protect our investment here. To date, there have been no cases of COVID on our island. Eventually, we made our way home to Canada for Christmas and quarantined while enjoying some snow at our home.

Most of the major renovations had already been completed, however there were a few smaller projects underway that we continued with. Some bigger plans have been put on the back burner until we see where things are headed, and hopefully see a recovery in the travel industry.

The Bahamas reopened for international travel with strict health and safety protocols in place in the fall, so we decided to reopen Caerula Mar after hurricane season at the end of October. Welcoming guests back to the resort was a strange experience for everyone it was great to have staff back at work and a little revenue coming in, but everyone was understandably a little nervous. Travellers are required to provide proof of a negative COVID test within five days of travelling, secure a travel health visa from the Bahamas, and take another COVID test within five days of arrival. Strict mask and distancing protocols remain in place in public areas.

Were mostly looking forward to being able to spend time with family and friends, and to share this incredible place with everyone! I think weve all been missing that human connection handshakes, hugs, and bare faces. Knowing well be able to pay the bills will be a nice bonus as well!

Catch the season three premiere of Island of Bryan on Sunday, April 18 at 10 p.m. on HGTV Canada.

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Bryan and Sarah Baeumler on reopening their Bahamas resort after the pandemic halted all operations - Post City