Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis underscored Bahamians of Haitian descent living in unregulated communities are entitled to Crown Land opportunities as he foreshadowed an expansion of the governments land program.

Speaking directly to that community, Minnis urged Bahamians of Haitian descent in the country not to refer to themselves as Haitian-Bahamian but simply Bahamians as they are constitutionally entitled.

The prime minister made the comments as he opened the mid-year budget debate in the House of Assembly on Monday.

He explained that the land program will not be confined to New Providence, but also on several Family Islands, including hurricane-hit Grand Bahama and Abaco.

We are already looking at land in the Murphy Town (Abaco) area to do a similar project. We also recognize that individuals in Abaco and Grand Bahama have undergone a lot more stress turmoil than us in New Providence and other Family Islands.

He continued: They were hit with Dorian and then COVID, which would have impacted them economically even more than the other Family Islands, and knowing that their employment status would have changed, its only fair that the land sold to individuals in Abaco or Grand Bahama should be even less.

The prime minister noted there were existing challenges on Abaco, referring to The Mudd shantytown community that was flattened by Dorian.

Minnis said: But I want the Bahamians to hear there are many individuals who are living in these so-called dilapidated facilities of Haitian descent within Abaco or New Providence, many are regularized, many are Bahamians and they, too, are entitled to land also.

So that they can move out of such squalor conditions in the proper facilities. So that when and if they are hit by any hurricane, they are protected.

Minnis added: The only thing I ask of them, and Im sure they are listening, the only thing I ask of them we are Bahamians. We are not Haitian-Bahamians; we are Bahamians, and therefore thats the name and the brand we will carry.

And they are entitled to land within the subdivisions created within the Bahamas, be it in Inagua, be it in New Providence or wherever. They are Bahamians under the Constitution.

Currently, Article 7 of the Constitution states that a person born in The Bahamas after independence, neither of whose parents is a citizen of The Bahamas shall be entitled, upon making application on his attaining the age of 18 years or within 12 months thereafter to be registered as a citizen of The Bahamas.

The Constitution does not prescribe what happens to these individuals before their 18th birthday, or after their 19th birthday.

Additionally, Article 9 of the Constitution states that a person born legitimately outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother is not automatically granted citizenship, but has a right to apply from their 18th birthday to their 21st birthday, to be registered as a citizen.

The Constitution also does not clearly state what happens before these people reach age 18 and after they reach age 21.

Last May, the Supreme Court delivered a historic ruling in separate applications for declarations over the true interpretation of Article 6 of the Constitution, which deems that every person born in The Bahamas after 9th July 1973 shall become a citizen of The Bahamas at the date of his birth if at that date either of his parents is a citizen of The Bahamas.

On May 25, Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder ruled that children born out of wedlock to foreign women and Bahamian men are entitled to citizenship at birth.

The Office of the Attorney General has appealed the ruling in the publics interest.

All five judges of the Court of Appeal will sit to hear the appeal on March 4 and March 5.

The draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, 2018 seeks to address long-standing issues surrounding statelessness and the right to pass on citizenship.

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CARRY THE BRAND: PM calls on regularized citizens to drop Haitian-Bahamian title - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Ministry of Finance concluded an agreement with the OMNI Financial Group and the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) to launch a digital payment solution for the collection of charter fees from mega yachts and other charter operators in The Bahamas.

Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson said: This development is extremely significant as we have traditionally seen a lot of revenue leakage in the charter operator space.

As a government, we are strengthening our enforcement mechanisms while we are also enhancing the ease of doing business. Now, charter operators have no excuse. We have a convenient online solution for the payment of fees due to the government for their commercial operations in our waters.

The potential revenue yield from charter operations is tremendous. The Ministry of Finance estimated there is about $50 million in uncollected revenue from this boating segment and in keeping with the governments commitment to strengthen tax collection and enforcement for existing taxes, we have accelerated our digital transformation efforts to make this happen.

The public-private partnership has led to a milestone achievement in an area that has long been in need of an upgrade. The new payment solution launched by the OMNI/ABM collaborative is called SeaZPass and is the first of several digital solutions the group will provide.

Minister of Tourism Dionisio DAguilar said: The new platform with OMNI/ABM will help to increase boating traffic and economic activity at a time when the country badly needs it.

We have managed the spread of the coronavirus and our travel policies create a safe and attractive environment, so charter operators are clamoring to send business to The Bahamas.

Boats that would typically be cruising around Europe and other tourism hotspots are now parked around the East Coast, and The Bahamas is the natural best place for them to get away.

The Bahamas Port Department is responsible for the issuing of charter licenses and the collection of charter fees. The Ministry of Finance has been working with the Ministry of Transport and Local Government Port Department to implement this new system with OMNI/ABM.

Commander Berne Wright, acting port controller, said: We acknowledge the capacity for revenue increase via the online payment method, and we are committed to providing registration and licensing processes which will further the ease of doing business at the Port Department.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Local Government Antoinette Thompson indicated that this online facility for the Port Department represents another objective achieved in the governments mandate to modernize and transform the delivery of services for the Bahamian people, particularly as it relates to agencies such as the Port, Road Traffic and Post Office Departments.

Peter Maury, ABM president, also commented: The ABM is proud to be able to assist the government as part of its digital transformation.

This is the start of our collaboration as we are currently working with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to introduce online payment and processing for charter licenses, cruising permit and fishing licenses at a later date.

We attended a boat show in Florida last week to introduce the charter fee online portal, and the boating community was very relieved to see progress is finally being made with the governments various digital solutions.

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Govt revenue boost expected with launch of digital payment solution for charter fees - EyeWitness News

For travel writers like me, popping open a laptop to work on a Caribbean beach is a familiar occupational hazard. But amid the pandemic, having to work while youre in paradise seems like a small price to pay to escape the confines of the living rooms and home offices where weve been sequestered for the past year.

Our collective cabin fever hasnt gone unnoticed. With low virus rates, lots of empty hotel rooms, and safety protocols now firmly in place plus so many people working remotely, anyway a number of Caribbean destinations and resorts have launched programs for people who want to spend an extended period of time in the islands.

As the pandemic stretches into its second year, here are the places in the Caribbean where you can spend at least a year mixing remote work and play, blissfully distant from your own backyard.

Anguilla

Anguillas remote work program lets digital nomads, students, and families stay on-island for 90 days to one year, at a cost of $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for families. Youll need proof of employment, a police background check, a passport and copy of your birth certificate, and proof of your relationship to any dependents tagging along.

Antigua and Barbuda

Set up shop in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda for up to two years with a Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) visa. Applicants must be currently employed or self-employed and able to work away from home with the use of mobile technology. Application fees are 1,500.00 for singles, $2,000 for couples, and $3,000 for families of three or more.

Bahamas

BEATS, or the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay program, allows digital nomads to alight in the islands of the Bahamas for up to a year for work and play. At the end of a long day of meetings or classes, you will be rewarded with breathtaking sunsets, a relaxing walk on the beach, or fresh conch salad to feed your soul. It doesnt get any better than that, says Dionisio DAguilar, Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation. Island-hopping is encouraged, and while remote workers will need to pay a fee of $1,025 for a BEATS permit, its discounted to $525 for college students. If youre impatient to get going, Bahamas tourism officials promise a decision to approve (or deny) your application within 5 days so get packing!

Barbados

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How to Live in the Caribbean for a Year - Caribbean Journal

Balancing the survival of the tourism industry and ensuring the safety and livelihood of citizens during the pandemic has been a difficult task for the Caribbean. Especially since the sentiment We live where you vacation has become a controversial one.

As of Feb. 22, there have been 514,640 coronavirus cases in the Caribbean, Loop News reports.

In the most recent February report, the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that, Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Caribbean leaders have struggled to balance tourism and the pandemic, and people in the tourism industry have faced difficulty at work between keeping safe and catering to guests.

Should tourists come? What locals think about foreign travelers right now

Lina Lorne, a 22-year-old Barbadian who works at Sandy Lane Resort as a receptionist, is a part-time student at the University of the West Indies. She said if she had to travel, she would avoid high risk countries.

If youre coming from a high-risk country and you decide to go on a trip to anywhere, I think that is a bit selfish of you to do that, Lorne said.

When Lorne has to remind tourists to put on their masks, many give excuses as to why they cant wear one.

I had a gentleman come to me one time, he was saying that hes asthmatic and he cant wear his mask because hes asthmatic, Lorne said.

Im like, you cant be for real? Because I know people that are asthmatic that have to wear their masks. So what is going to happen when you have to go back to the U.K.? When you have to go through immigration and the airport, youll have to wear a mask, Lorne continued.

In December 2020, American tourist Skylar Mack was sentenced to four months in jail in the Cayman Islands for breaching her 14-day quarantine to watch her boyfriend Vanjae Ramgeet, a professional jet skier compete, according to People.

Dr. Gilbert Morris, a Bahamian economist and advisor to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas, senior economic advisor to the former Minister of Finance of the Turks and Caicos Islands and professor at George Mason University, believes the pandemic will exist for a long time, and that its important to normalize how laws are being applied now.

Although tourists contribute heavily to the economy, Morris does not think they should receive relaxed punishments if they break the law. Moss agreed.

I feel as if everyone should be held to the same standards because at the end of the day, the law is the law, Moss said.

Tik Tok star Noah Beck, received heavy backlash from fans after vacationing in the Bahamas during the Christmas and New Years holidays.

In response to the backlash. Beck said, It is what it is, and, I think, especially the business were in, its, like, you need some time to kind of disconnect for a little. It was just a little trip to get away, Insider reported.

When asked about his views on tourists feeling that they are deserving of taking vacations during the pandemic Moss said, I feel as if it is a very ignorant view on the situation. Because you have survived to this point [does not] mean you should start living life recklessly.

Jamaican Marjorie Allen, a part-time lecturer in the hospitality and tourism management program at the University of Technology, said traveling is therapeutic for some during these abnormal times.

I think people are trying to find some sort of normal, something comfortable. If things allow, why not? I think Im also sympathetic. I do understand the need for people to get away from their situation sometimes, Allen said.

According to Allen, if they have the money and are willing to adhere to the protocols, it can be acceptable for them to vacation in the Caribbean.

Im not upset with anybody who wants to come, as long as they dont cause any outbreaks, she said.

Lamont Moss, an 18-year-old Bahamian attending the University of the Bahamas doesnt think its selfish to travel during the pandemic, as long as you test negative for the virus.

At that point, youre traveling at your own risk, Moss said.

While Moss has no plans to take a vacation this year, he does intend to to travel to a university abroad in August.

Keeping Caribbean economies afloat during decline in tourists

As borders began to reopen in mid-summer of 2020, many Caribbean citizens were wary of what the outcome would be when tourists began traveling to their countries. This created, if not increased, anti-tourism sentiments among some Caribbean people.

Initially, a lot of Jamaicans were very upset with the reopening of the borders, too soon we thought because all of these people are coming in, Allen said.

The majority of Jamaicas tourists are from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. But according to Allen, there are not a lot of tourists entering the country during the pandemic.

Those countries are struggling with the pandemic as well, she said. There are either people who arent working, people who have lost family members and people who are sick.

With record-breaking low numbers of people traveling to the Caribbean, many people on social media have called for their governments to invest in other industries in order to keep their economies afloat.

Morris believes the current model of tourism in the Caribbean is a terrible model, and has only survived during the pandemic because money has been pumped into it.

Our economic model does not allow us to choose rolling out vaccines over reviving the tourist market, said Morris. Failing to reposition the tourist market for an entire year meant high unemployment, loss of 80% of national income, higher deficits and increasing debts.

When people argue to end the tourism industry, Morris believes they really mean to diversify it, which he said would bring about a lot of progress.

Rather than opting to create new industries, Morris said the Caribbean should invest in working towards operating at full efficiency within their tourism sectors.

Tourism is a business model based on demands from abroad. The Bahamas, for instance, has some of the worlds most unique landscape, Morris said. We didnt create that, but it generates a demand. So why would we abandon that demand to invent something that makes us competitive?

In Barbados, although agriculture isnt big, they are trying to push it more. Lorne said she is certain there are other industries they could invest in, but lack of resources poses a problem.

We should really update our society in the tourism industry and make a lot of things more digital, Lorne said.

According to Moss, he believes that there are other industries that the Bahamas could possibly look into, but is unsure which ones would be best.

I think every Caribbean island in existence at some point has considered another form of earning foreign exchange Trinidad is really good at it because they dont need tourists, they have oil, Allen said.

Lorne said it isnt a case where countries havent looked to find other industries. But, the Caribbean has made a lot of money from tourism using their natural resources.

Perhaps in our [Jamaica] case we can do more agriculture, we certainly have the landmasseven within the Caribbean we could be a source of supply. So definitely farming and agriculture, we have a lot of land just sitting there not doing anything, Lorne said.

As for the future of the Caribbeans economy, Morris said vaccines wont have a large enough impact to reopen the economy until about 2022.

He wants governments in the region to heed his and others advice, which is to create reforms and make governments less centralized, digitized and more transparent while developing options. Options such as the Sovereign Wealth Funds to improve citizens equity.

Caribbean governments including and especially the Bahamas did not use 2020 to reposition themselves. They are facing economic triage, which means they are likely to impose economic austerity measures, and raise taxes on their jobless citizens for their errors, said Morris.

In March 2020, Morris suggested to Caribbean governments that they send Caribbean organic chemists and biochemists to labs around the world to assist in the vaccine development or conduct antiviral drug research.

The idea was that as a small nation, getting involved early was a way of overcoming the disadvantage of small nations having to beg once vaccines were developed. The Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados didnt do that and as such, we are at the mercy of the larger nations, said Morris.

Caribbean countries currently under the jurisdiction of the U.S., France, the U.K. and the Netherlands have already begun vaccinating their citizens. Some include the Cayman Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Bermuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe and Martinique, according to the Miami Herald.

Other islands, such as Jamaica and The Bahamas, have just recently gotten approval for their first rounds of vaccines. Barbados has been granted vaccines from India and each of those countries will begin vaccinating citizens by the end of February.

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The troubles of tourism in the COVID-19 era Caribbean - The Suffolk Journal

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The National Insurance Board (NIB) is collaborating with the Department of Immigration to produce a card that will be issued at birth and indicate a persons nationality, Minister of Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle told Parliament today.

Rolle, the Garden Hills MP, while making his contribution in Parliament to the mid-year budget debate, stated: What we would like to do is issue a card from birth so that we could follow you from the time you are born in The Bahamas using one identification number and one card.

Rolle noted that the NIB card has widespread usage in the country.

What we propose to do is have a card for anyone born in The Bahamas, he said.

They will get a card with a unique number. What the card will say is that you are born in The Bahamas. If you are Bahamian, your status will be Bahamian.

If at the time of your birth we cannot determine whether you are a Bahamian or not, we will just indicate that your status is unknown.

Collaboration is ongoing with the Department of Immigration. We will not do and cannot do anything that usurps the power and authority of the Department of Immigration.

Rolle stressed that NIB will not get into determining who is a Bahamian after St Annes MP Brent Symonette who formerly had responsibility for the Department of Immigration cautioned about making pronouncements on a persons status.

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CARDED AT BIRTH: NIB and Immigration Dept working on national ID card - EyeWitness News

Yes. All persons travelling to The Bahamas, and those travelling inter-island from Nassau & Paradise Island or Grand Bahama Island, must first obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival. The name and address of the lab where the test was performed must be clearly displayed on the test result.

Persons travelling inter-islandfrom Nassau & Paradise Island or Grand Bahama Islandto other islands are required to undergo a RT-PCR test no more thanfive (5) days prior to travel and produce a negative result.

If a Bahamas citizen or resident travels internationally, they must secure a test in the destination they visited before travelling back to The Bahamas. Any RT-PCR test taken in The Bahamas prior to travel will not be valid for re-entry.

Contact your health care professional to receive a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test.

No, only a negative RT-PCR (swab) test from a referenced lab will be considered a VALID test to be granted entry into The Bahamas.

All visitors entering The Bahamas will be required to opt in to the Health Insurance coverage when applying for their Bahamas Health Visa (more details on Bahamas Health Visa below).

Coverage includes:

The cost of the required COVID Health Insurance is included in the Bahamas Health Visa and paid in advance of travel.

All travellers, returning citizens and residents arriving via commercial flights, as well as by private planes, private boats, yachts or pleasure craft, are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa attravel.gov.bsby selecting the International option and completing all required fields.

Yes, all those travelling inter-island both residents and visitors will be required to complete an electronic Travel Health Visa, via the domestic or international sections, as appropriate.

Yes, there is anon-refundablefee for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa, which will be dependent on length of stay.

All Bahamas Travel Health Visas include standard administrative costs, such as the application fee for the Health Visa, as well as relative IT and distribution costs.

The final price of an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa for visitors, returning citizens and residents is dependent on length of stay and any applicable testing, healthcare related costs, or insurance requirements. (More details on rapid testing below)

Domestic Travel (within The Bahamas):

International Travel:

Each applicant eighteen (18) years of age or older, will be required to complete their own Bahamas Travel Health Visa Application and upload their individual negative test results. Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of the parent or guardian. Please ensure each application is submitted with the corresponding test results.

Travellers should upload ALL pages of the test results report, even if there are multiple pages.

Please ensure your test results state clearly the following information:

For U.S. travellers, an accredited lab can be found athttps://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html

For travellers from other countries, labs that have been accredited by the local medical health officials should be used.

Children age ten (10) and under are exemptfrom requiring a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test; they will, however, be required to have their application submitted by a parent/guardian.

Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications take up to48hoursto process so they should be completed with adequate lead time.

Applicants will receive an automated responsewithin 1 hourof submission indicating the application is being processed. Travellers should not apply again unless they do not receive the automated response within the hour.

An approved Bahamas Travel Health Visa will receive a green code, and proof of confirmation should be presented at check-in and upon arrival in the destination.

If a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application is pending, visitor will receive a yellow code which means it requires additional review.

If a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application is denied, visitor will receive a red color code and will not be permitted entry to The Bahamas.

Travellers shouldnotsubmit more than one application per person travelling (per trip). Do NOT submit multiple applications.

For all questions regarding the Bahamas Travel Health Visa process, or to check on the status of your application, contacthealthvisa@bahamas.com.

There are a number of reasons why Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications are not approved. Among the most common are:

Yes, please ensure you print your Approved (Green) Bahamas Travel Health Visa response issued electronically by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Ministry of Health.

Travellers who fail to complete an electronic Travel Health Visa application form or provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Negative (Swab) Test from an accredited lab will be denied entry to The Bahamas and are subject to fines and possible imprisonment.

Bahamas Travel Health Visas are valid for the duration of each individual travellers trip. Because a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result is required to be uploaded to complete the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application with test date no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival, it is necessary for all travellers to apply for a new Health Visa with each trip.

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COVID-19 Status - The Bahamas

The Bahamas appeals to travelers looking for warm winter getaways and romantic Valentine's Day escapes.

Bahamian Hotels Provide On-Site COVID Testing Hotels across Nassau Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the Out Islands are providing on-site COVID testing for guests in accordance with new U.S. international travel requirements. Baha Mar, Atlantis and The Ocean Club are just a few of the hotels and resorts with on-site testing on Nassau Paradise Island along with Out Island hotels, including Caerula Mar Resort and Abaco Beach Resort. For a full list of COVID testing sites and the latest travel and entry protocols, visit Bahamas.com/TravelUpdates.

SLS and Rosewood Baha Mar to Reopen March 2021 Baha Mar will enter into its final phase of reopening on March 4 with the reopening of Rosewood and SLS. The Nassau resort first welcomed back guests at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in December 2020.

Harbour Island's Rock House Hotel Launches Villa Rock House Hotel on Harbour Island has launched its Rock House Rental Villa, a private vacation home with all the amenities of a hotel. While the hotel and restaurant remain closed, up to 20 guests can enjoy the fully staffed private villa that comes with a private chef and concierge to take care of guests' every need. Booking is available on Vrbo.

Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course Reopens With the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort's reopening on February 24, golfers can once again enjoy the award-winning Greg Norman course. Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course is frequently recognized as one of the most scenic courses in the Caribbean, with 18 holes set against The Exumas' famous turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.

Breezes Bahamas Welcomes Back Guests with Be Smart + Safe Initiative Upon its reopening in December 2020, Breezes Bahamas has safely welcomed guests with its Be Smart + Safe initiative. The initiative provides guests and team members with protocols on social distancing, face coverings and more.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete, up-to-date listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit http://www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Atlantis Couples Getaway Package Couples can plan a romantic Bahamian getaway at Atlantis this Valentine's Day. Celebrate with your partner while receiving daily complimentary breakfast, a quiet dinner for two, and late checkout.

Cape Santa Maria Beach Lovers Vacation Escape to Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort on Long Island for a romantic retreat. Relax with a complimentary massage, welcome cocktails and more when staying three nights or more.

Breezes Bahamas Winter Sale Breezes Bahamas is offering guests savings up to 53% for travel booked by February 28, 2021 as part of its Winter Sale.

ABOUT THE BAHAMASWith over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transportstravelersaway from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer atwww.bahamas.comor on Facebook, YouTubeorInstagramto see why It's Better in The Bahamas.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-PattyBahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation[emailprotected]

Weber ShandwickPublic Relations[emailprotected]

SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

http://www.bahamas.com

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What's New In The Islands Of The Bahamas In February - PRNewswire

Covering an area of 13,878 sq. km, The Bahamas (all coral in origin) occupies larger part of Lucayan Archipelago and comprises a group of nearly 700 (atolls) ring-like coral islands, and (cays) small, low islands composed largely of coral or sand. The islands were mostly created by the disintegration of coral reefs and seashells, and low scrub covers much of their surfaces. As observed on the map, the highest point is located on Cat Island, where limestone rock rises to 63m (206ft) above sea level. There are a handful of small freshwater lakes and just one small river located on Andros Island.

The Bahamas (officially, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas) is divided into 31 districts. In alphabetical order, the districts are: Acklins, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point (Exuma), Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport (Grand Bahama), Crooked Island, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay (Abaco), Harbour Island (Eleuthera), Hope Town (Abaco), Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay (Andros), Mayaguana, Moores Island (Abaco), North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish wells (Eleuthera) and West Grand Bahama.

Covering an area of 13,878 sq. km, The Bahamas occupies larger part of Lucayan Archipelago and comprises a group of 700 ring-like coral islands, islets and cays. Located on the island of New Providence is, Nassau the capital and the largest city of The Bahamas. Nassau is a primate city, a busy sea port and a major administrative, educational, economic and commercial center of the country. Its spectacular scenery attracts tourists from all over the world.

The Bahamas is an archipelagic country comprising over 700 coral islands, islets and cays situated in the northwest of West Indies in West Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas is positioned both in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth. It is located to the southeast of the US State of Florida; to the east of Florida Keys; to the northwest of Turks and Caicos Islands; and to the north of Cuba and the Hispaniola Islands shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Bahamas shares its maritime borders with the US, Cuba, Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Regional Maps: Map of North America

This page was last updated on November 11, 2020

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The Bahamas Maps & Facts - World Atlas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas is close to finally monetizing its airspace, according to Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio DAguilar, who noted that legislation debated in Parliament yesterday seeks to make that possible.

DAguilar led debate on a compendium of bills, namely the Civil Aviation Bill, 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Bill, 2021 and the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority Bill, 2021.

The Free Town MP noted that introduction of the Air Navigation Services Authority Bill with the insertion of the new terminology of Bahamas Administered Airspace, Bahamas Aircraft and Bahamas Territory provides The Bahamas with more economic control over its sovereign airspace and expands its aircraft registry capabilities. Section 5 of the bill allows the new civil aviation authority to enter into arrangements or partnerships with respect to the air navigation service.

DAguilar noted that Section 20 of the bill gives the new authority, with the approval of the minister, the power to develop, recommend and impose fees and service charges for the provision of air navigation services in The Bahamas, such as overflight fees for aircraft that transit Bahamian administered airspace, but neither land in nor depart from The Bahamas; air navigation service fees for services rendered within airspace of The Bahamas, including air traffic management, communications, navigation, radar surveillance, separation services, flight information services, procedural control and training; air navigation services training; and any other service related to air navigation services in The Bahamas.

The passage of this bill seeks to set up the infrastructure so that we can finally begin to monetize one of our greatest natural resources the airspace above us, said DAguilar.

We dont have to dig, drill, mine, extract, dredge anything to start making money from our airspace. We just have to figure out how to bill and how to collect a fee every time a plane flies into, or out of, or through, our airspace.

For the 48 years that have elapsed since independence, The Bahamas has never been able to realize one red cent from the airspace above our country. We are so close to changing that.

DAguilar also noted that the bill also gives the authority the ability to impose penalties for late payments and apply statutory liens on aircraft operators who do not pay their fees and/or service charges.

He noted the 2017 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Oversight Audit had revealed that The Bahamas aviation legislation and the Bahamas Civil Aviation structure were largely outdated, non-compliant and unable to keep up with the ever-evolving standards and recommended practices outlined in the UN Convention on International Civil Aviation and its annexes.

As a result of this audit, the Bahamas Effective ImplementationScore fell from an average of 56.98 percent to an average of 31.98 percent in late 2017, said DAguilar, noting that this score put The Bahamas at the bottomof the list of Caribbean countries.

DAguilar noted that the ICAO auditors will return this November, 2021, to follow up on this nations corrective action plans and to determine whether previously identified safety deficiencies have been satisfactorily resolved.

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D'Aguilar: Bahamas very close to monetizing airspace - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said as The Bahamas continues preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine to be made available in-country, it is likely that The Bahamas will distribute more than one approved vaccine.

During a BAAWMAR panel discussion on the vaccine moderated by Dr Khandra Sears, a board member of the NGO Brennen suggested The Bahamas preference is to access vaccines more suited for its climate and geographic makeup, including those that do not require ultra-low temperatures, which could present transportation challenges.

However, he said the country will remain flexible instead of restrictive.

We are trying not to be restrictive, but we do know that some of the issues being an island nation, being in a tropical setting, being spread out and not being one singular landmass, present particular challenges for us, he said.

And so, we are designing our vaccine deployment strategy around that to be able to make sure that what we bring in-country can be used as efficiently as possible and the vaccines that fit in that criteria are the ones that are more likely to be used in-country.

But it is not going to be one vaccine for the entire country.

We are preparing such that if we receive allocates of one that cant fulfill the entire requirement, well be able to use that one first, and then as we get another one, well still be able to deliver that other one as well and using the advantages of an advanced digital age to be able to track who gets what vaccine, so that if they need two doses, they get two of the same and we pay attention to some of those details.

Asked which vaccine will be made available in The Bahamas and the discussions surrounding that decision, Brennen said as a member state of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The Bahamas will use the mechanism that goes with approval under WHO in order to decide which vaccines we are going use.

Usually they have a very stringent, regulatory mechanism that is set up for approval in order to make sure that vaccines have been tested and we know the kind of issues that are related to them the cold chain from manufacturing to delivery, he said.

Vaccine in-country all happens in a very systematic way. And so, we use the mechanism to reassure the Bahamian people that what we are doing meets an international standard.

And so, while we are now moving in many of these areas to emergency usage you know WHO uses it as an emergency use listing, places with other stringent regulatory authorities like the [FDA] may use terminology like emergency use authorization but either way, what you are saying is it hasnt gone through what would otherwise be seen as the usual process, but because of the issues of a pandemic, theyve been approved for emergency use.

We are going with a policy decision in-country to use the approval through WHO emergency use listing or another stringent regulatory authority that says we have done the research; we have gotten the information on the vaccine, looked at that data and said it can be approved for emergency use.

And so, there are a number of those that we trust to be able to do so.

And then with some of our Caribbean colleagues, we use the Caribbean Public Health Agency and the regional authority when it comes to reviewing vaccines to be able to ensure that emergency use listing or authorization can now be translated to the jurisdiction based on what is proposed by a manufacture to be sent to us; that it still meets that same level of stringent review that has been done so what has been approved is being sent and in that approach, the thought is we would have built in some levels of safeguards to ensure what we are going to get in-country meets at least that level of scrutiny, so we can assure the people.

The WHO granted emergency use validation to BioNTech-Pfizer last December.

Other country-specific emergency use vaccines such as Moderna and AstraZeneca, among others, continue to be examined by the WHO.

The Bahamas is expected to get access to a COVID-19 vaccinethrough the Pan American Health Organizations COVAX Facilitywithin the first quarter of this year, though that date has yet to be narrowed down.

Last week, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government plans to order nine vaccine coolers in preparation for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in The Bahamas, and will have a vaccine facility that can hold up to 300,000 doses on New Providence and 50,000 doses on Grand Bahama.

The government hasmade a down paymentto secure 80,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to vaccinate 20 percent of the population when the vaccine becomes available in-country.

Yesterday, Brennen said while The Bahamas continues to prepare to receive a vaccine in-country, including procuring coolers and a facility to store doses, the need to keep doses at low temperatures does present a little bit of a challenge for us with transporting doses across the archipelago.

While we are putting in place the mechanisms to be able to use those types of vaccines when they become available to the country, like a Pfizer or a Moderna, we also know what would be better in our situation is if we have vaccines that take advantage of the same mechanisms that we have [been] using to keep our vaccination coverage in-country in the 90 to 95 percent range for so many of our antigens that are out there already, he said.

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Brennen: Bahamas likely to access more than one COVID-19 vaccine - EyeWitness News