Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Notwithstanding his impassioned pleas for Bahamians and residents to avoid unessential travel to other jurisdictions, including the United States, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis acknowledged yesterday that many will travel.

He has appealed to residents to opt for Family Island travel, and avoid traveling to jurisdictions such as the United States unless for emergencies.

The prime minister has also encouraged residents to avoid social gatherings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas period.

Responding to questions from the media of whether he believes residents will heed his advice, Minnis said: I think the mere fact that were seeing a decline in the number of infections, I think Bahamians are cooperating.

Many will travel, but I only urge that while they travel, they will continue to follow the mitigation protocol: continue to wear masks and social distancing, etc. even if it is not a law in that particular country that theyre visiting.

Remember, the virus does not discriminate and therefore the mask will definitely offer them protection and offer the protection of Bahamians and The Bahamas as they return; and offer protection for our hotels and our employment.

The Bahamas recorded 14 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday six on New Providence, four on Grand Bahama, three on Exuma and one with an unknown location.

There have been 7,496 cases in total, of which 1,448 remain active.

Another 5,830 cases have recovered just shy of 78 percent.

The Bahamas positivity rate was just over five percent on Tuesday, in line with internationally recommended standards for reopening.

Restrictions were increased on Exuma and Eleuthera earlier this month amid a surge of cases on both islands.

However, both islands have seen a steady decline in new infections.

While on Exuma yesterday, Minnis thanked Exumians for following the COVID-19 health protocols and increased restrictions.

A health team visited the island yesterday to make an assessment.

The prime minister said following that assessment an announcement would be made as to the way forward.

I know it is very difficult for individuals here within the island of Exuma, Minnis said.

In fact, it is very difficult throughout The Bahamas.

But when you look at where we are to compare with the other nations of the world, I would say The Bahamas has done a remarkable, outstanding job and I thank the Exumians as well as the Ministry of Health and the health professionals.

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PM: Many will travel, but residents must protect The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS There has been no clinical evidence to support a reinfection of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, according to Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, Forbes was asked to confirm the number of local reinfection cases.

What I want to say is that reinfections are not a common phenomenon based upon what has been reported globally by experts

And there is stringent criteria about how you determine if someone is reinfected, including phylogenetic studies and that needs to be done.

That is the gold standard.

There are many centers of excellence that are looking at this and looking at their populations.

The standard that is applied is phylogenetic studies to determine that someone with COVID symptoms, who has tested positive, does in fact have a reinfection, and a certain period of time has to go by. And I dont believe that was met.

So, I think we should use caution and there are standards for these things that havent been applied in these cases.

In October, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said there were at least two patients reinfected with the virus, noting the patients were tested after recovering with negative results, and following an intervening period of being asymptomatic, the patients subsequently tested positive.

Asked whether that meant there has yet to be a confirmed case of reinfection in The Bahamas, Forbes said: Yes. I think when I read the article that it was clinically determined, but it cannot be clinically determined. Thats not how it is determined.

But Forbes cautioned recovered cases from having a false sense of security.

Reinfection is possible, she said.

There are a few cases that have been described in the international literature and reported on internationally.

One must still be careful after getting COVID-19 because were determining and were still learning things with immunity with COVID-19.

Although rare, cases of reinfections have been reported in other jurisdictions, as pointed out by Forbes.

Explaining what constitutes a reinfection, Andhra Medical College (AMC) Principal Dr PV Sudhakar said a case can be termed a reinfection only if the COVID-19 presence occurs a second time at least 90 to 120 days post-recovery from the first instance of contraction of the virus.

Further, the RT-PCR genome sequencing for the subsequent infection should be different from the first, according to Sudhakar.

While there have been several cases in India of patients complaining of the same COVID-19 symptoms a few weeks after an apparent recovery and requiring treatment, these cases were not declared reinfections as the patients had comorbidities and metabolic disorders, making it possible for the cases to have traces of the previous infection.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases medical journal also reported on a case in Reno, Nevada, that tested positive in April after showing mild symptoms, and got sick again in May with more severe symptoms.

Other isolated cases of reinfection have been reported in Asia and Europe.

A recent study of 20,000 patients of the Mount Sinai Health System found stable levels of antibodies in those with a mild case of the virus, and reinfection was unlikely for at least three months.

It remains unclear whether people who have been reinfected but remain asymptomatic can spread the virus to others.

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No clinical evidence of COVID reinfections in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

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Phoenix family's vacation to Bahamas cheaper than expected - AZFamily

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) recently donated six custom-made internal partitions for mobile shelters being used to screen COVID-19 patients, said the US Embassy in Nassau in a statement released yesterday.

According to the embassy, the equipment is valued at approximately $20,000 and will allow the Ministry of Health (MOH) to better isolate patients and prevent the spread of the virus, in addition to giving health officials the flexibility to meet current and future needs.

US Embassy Senior Defense Official Commander Kevin Self delivered the donation to Commander Sonia Miller of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Captain Stephen Russell, director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the South Beach Clinic on New Providence.

In September of 2020, the US Embassy donated ten mobile shelters to NEMA to aid in disaster relief, and the Ministry of Health expressed interest in using some of the shelters in the fight against COVID-19, the statement read.

Within weeks, the MOH had begun using two of the shelters at the South Beach Clinic to screen patients and conduct testing. However, Minister of Health Renward Wells asked whether it would be possible to create partitions inside the shelters that could help more effectively isolate patients and prevent infection.

Exemplifying the ongoing partnership between the United States and The Bahamas, Self took Wells request to NORTHCOM, who then worked with Regulus Global (the company that originally manufactured the shelters) to create custom-made partitions for the shelters. When installed, the partitions create three smaller rooms within the larger shelter, keeping patients isolated from one another and preventing the spread of infection.

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US donates additional equipment towards COVID fight in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS As it observed the 27th International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Bahamas is committed to achieving equality for all.

The government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas join the global community in the observance of the 27th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women under the theme Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect! The declaration for the elimination of violence against women was adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1993 and it calls on states to protect women and girls against human rights violations, read a statement by the ministry.

All too often, and in many instances daily, women face domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual violence and harassment.

It added, The Bahamas is working actively to strengthen protection measures for women and girls and to eliminate gender-based violence in our communities. We are committed to achieving the goal of equality for all.

The Ministry also noted The Bahamas plays an active role in the elimination of violence against women, particularly in the General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) as a member of the UN.

The Bahamas is the first ever elected and only CARICOM member state of the HRC, its statement read.

Based on its longstanding commitment in this endeavor, The Bahamas was successful in its recent bid for re-election to the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2021-2024.

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Foreign Affairs: Bahamas committed to equality Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The House of Assembly passed a resolution last night to extend the public state of emergency in The Bahamas to January 31, 2021.

During debate on the resolution, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis made the case that the extension was necessary to have the legal authority to use certain measures when necessary to save lives, noting that there could be a third wave of the virus in The Bahamas.

Again I emphasize, we utilize these emergency powers only when necessary, Minnis advised Parliament.

Quite often, a number of the emergency measures are not utilized.

For example, there are no measures in islands like Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and many others.

When cases spike, governments do not have the liberty of a long period of time to act.

We do not have weeks, Mr Speaker, to act.

Instead, governments must act quickly and decisively in order to avoid the spread of this deadly virus.

Minnis pointed out there are numerous Family Islands with few restrictions due to their respective epidemiology.

He said when cases emerge, the government will respond with appropriate measures based on the advice of health officials.

According to the prime minister, when those measures succeed in lowering cases, restrictions will be reversed, allowing residents to live a more normal life.

He underscored that the two-month extension was shorter than some jurisdictions.

For example, Barbados has extended its public state of emergency to March.

The government needs these powers because of how quickly this virus continues to spread, he said.

One highly infectious individual could spread the virus in a closed room of 50 people to nearly every individual in that room.

The infected people would then go home environment, family members and in that household.

They may then all go on to spread it to others.

One case could lead to an outbreak.

Hundreds and hundreds of people could get sick.

Minnis added it was highly irresponsible, reckless and unreasonable to suggest that the government should not use emergency powers.

Addressing the opposition, which has not supported recent extensions of the public state of emergency, Minnis said if the government followed the advice of the opposition, the country would be in dire straits.

The opposition was absent in the House of Assembly during the last vote to extend the emergency orders to the end of November, and opposition senators opposed the extension in the Upper Chamber.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Renward Wells, who seconded the resolution, said the number of COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas has been decreasing, but the nation was not out of the woods.

Over the last week, there have been fewer than 30 cases.

On Wednesday, there were 13 cases, pushing total cases to 7,482 since mid-March.

Hospitalized cases have trended down to 19, from 122 in October.

Wells said: That is a remarkable success considering where we were.

The Bahamas recovery rate stands at over 77 percent, with 5,789 recoveries.

The countrys positivity rate dropped below the recommended five percent on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

He said: Our collective efforts are flattening the COVID-19 curve.

Additionally, the minister advised there were no cases in the Intensive Care Unit at the Rand Memorial Hospital, while one case was in ICU at Doctors Hospital.

Another three cases were moderately ill at the hospital.

The Bahamas has not recorded a COVID-19-related death since November 19.

Total deaths from the virus stand at 163.

Wells said the government and Ministry of Health continue to shore up the healthcare sector and have expanded testing and contract tracing over five islands in the last two months.

Restrictions eased

Yesterday, the prime minister also announced that group exercise will be permitted with immediate effect for groups of 10 on New Providence and Abaco from 5am to 9pm, Monday through Friday, and 5am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Minnis said the COVID-19 restrictions on Eleuthera have been working and the curve is starting to bend.

He advised that a team from the Ministry of Health will travel to Eleuthera today to assess the COVID situation, and based on their assessment the island could possibly be liberated as of Monday.

The prime minister said he will make an announcement next week.

He also advised that cases have declined on Exuma, with only three cases reported on Monday.

He said more will be said about the island soon.

Eased restrictions were imposed on both islands following respective surges of cases.

This included a weekday curfew and weekend lockdown, which remain in place.

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PM: Govt needs these powers Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bamboo Shack and Bethel Brothers Morticians yesterday made donations of 100 tablets and $5,000, respectively, towards providing Bahamian children with access to tablets needed for online learning in the age of COVID-19.

Elaine Pinder, Bamboo Shack proprietor, announced a donation of 100 tablets along with the use of the popular restaurants point of sale system (POS), allowing customers to donate whatever amount they choose when they pay for whatever meal they ordered [and] making the meaning of an order of cracked chicken or conch more rewarding.

It added, While staying in the Nassau Street neighborhood, Owen S-M Bethel from Bethel Brothers Morticians made a $5,000 cheque presentation for tablets to be given to students at Albury Sayle Primary School.

Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd expressed his gratitude for the donations and made the call for all of corporate Bahamas to join in.

I cannot sleep at night knowing or thinking that 10, 12, 15,000 of our students are being left behind, Lloyd said.

There is unimaginable consequences for our society not only today, but years in the future in their personal lives, in this community as well as nationally. We immediately realized that in the Ministry of Education we could not do it alone.

We simply do not have, as a government, the resources to put a device in the hand of every single child and to make available internet capability.

Thank you, Jesus, because with an aggressive, passionate, accelerated push, Leno came onboard and instantly donated $60,000 right off the bat and began the invitation to all of the clients and corporate citizens to join in and provide support for our students.

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Bamboo Shack, Bethel Brothers Morticians join in on tablet donations - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS A new minister of finance could be named as early as next week, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who said he plans to meditate on the selection while visiting Cat Island.

I would announce very soon, he told reporters on Exuma when prompted on the matter.

What I can say is that I most certainly wont remain in [the] Ministry of Finance.

I can say that much with certainty.

Tomorrow, I am traveling to Cat Island and I would meditate and discuss with some of my colleagues and by the time I come back sometime next week, we would have to make announcements moving forward.

East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest resigned as deputy prime minister and minister of finance amid mounting pressure and calls for him step down over allegations of his involvement in defrauding two companies of around $30 million.

Minnis accepted the resignation.

Turnquest said he resigned with total fidelity and adherence to the tenets of our democracy and the Westminster conventions.

He said as a result of the unfounded and untrue claims, he stepped down in the best interest of his constituency and party, to protect his family and to ensure the private dispute which he said took place prior to him taking public office, did not become a distraction to the government or the important national work ahead.

Turnquest has expressed confidence that his reputation of transparency and accountability will be vindicated once the allegations against him have been ventilated through the courts.

He has pledged to say more at the appropriate time about the allegations and the actors that have perpetuated it.

Turnquest was the third Cabinet minister in the Minnis administration to resign.

Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands resigned in May after accepting responsibility for a breach of protocol amid the countrys border closure.

In June 2019, St Annes MP Brent Symonette resigned as Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration.

Free National Movement (FNM) Vice Chairman David Thompson has said he believes the prime minister is the best minister to deal with finance at this time.

He said the Office of the Prime Minister is able to marshal resources of all of the government ministries and agencies, [and] have a command, knowledge and plan for our country fiscally going forward.

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PM to meditate on new finance minister pick, decision by next week - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said he remains focused on the work of the Bahamian people amid calls in some quarters for his resignation.

An untested writ of summons filed on November 16 alleges Turnquests involvement in a $30 million bogus loan scheme, an allegation the minister has denied.

The official opposition has called on the minister to resign over the scandal or be fired.

Outside the Churchill Building, Turnquest told the media the Bahamian people know him and his reputation as a disciplined person.

I think you guys have known me for at least eight years now, most of you, and I think that you know I am focused on what I do, he said.

I am very disciplined about what I do.

The matters that are circulating out there are unfortunate.

They will be dealt with in the due course of time.

But again, I am focused on working for the Bahamian people while I have the opportunity to do so, and I will do my best to ensure that we get through this crisis (pandemic).

Pressed on the calls for his resignation and whether he will step down, Turnquest said: You know, again, well see what happens. But as far as Im concerned, I am focused on the work of the Bahamian people.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Cabinet will deliberate on the matter and advise the public.

In the writ filed by law firm Scott & Co., Turnquest and Sky Bahamas Principal Captain Randy Butler were accused of defrauding a company.

Turnquest is not listed as a defendant in the matter, but the court documents allege he was a director and manager of Alpha Aviation Ltd. and Advanced Aviation Ltd., while Sky Bahamas and Aviation Oversight were at all material times, owned and controlled and/or managed by Butler.

Butler has also denied the allegations.

When contacted yesterday, Michael Scott of Scott and Co. said there was no conflict of interest.

Scott is the chairman of the government-appointed special purpose vehicle Lucayan Renewal Holdings Limited.

There is no concern because I am representing Kaiser against Randy Butler in a professional capacity

I have no personal dispute with the DPM (deputy prime minister). Why should there be a conflict?

Thats just ignorance on the part of the leader of the opposition and the chairman of the PLP (Progressive Liberal Party), both of whom are lawyers.

Former Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez has called on Turnquest to resign, asserting hisresignation as a Cabinet minister would be in accordance with the convention of the Westminster system of government.

He also said the prime minister has an obligation to dismiss the minister in the public interest.

But another senior Queens Counsel has opined that Turnquest has no reason to resign at this stage over what has been labeled as untested and unproven allegations.

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DPM remains focused on work ahead Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --It's Better in The Bahamas this winter as the country welcomes international visitors to enjoy the sun, sand and sea. From hotel reopenings with exciting deals to the Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board's $500 air credit, The Bahamas is the perfect destination for travelers seeking an escape from the cold this holiday season.

NEWS

Ministry of Tourism Launches Interactive Island Guide In an effort to make planning a safe, much-needed Bahamian getaway more seamless, the Ministry of Tourism introduced an interactive map that provides visitors with an island-by-island guide of the most up-to-date guidelines, including business hours of operations, beach access and more.

Hotel Reopenings Across The Bahamas Atlantis Paradise Island is scheduled to reopen on December 10, 2020, and Eleuthera's French Leave Resort is set to reopen December 15, 2020. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Exuma's Grand Isle Resort & Spa are both scheduled to reopen December 17, 2020. Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort will reopen January 28, 2021, while Sandals Emerald Bay will reopen February 1, 2021.

Exuma and Long Island Airport Expansions Exuma International Airport is getting a major upgrade. The project, which is slated to begin next month, will expand the terminal from 2,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet. The country is planning additional airport expansions for Long Island, which is expected to be completed in March 2022. The project will expand the airport's runway from 4,000 feet to 6,500 feet.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

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

Out Island Black Friday Air Credit The Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board is offering a $500 air credit this Black Friday to help travelers plan their next Bahamian vacation. Credit is applicable when pre-booking an air-inclusive 7-night package at a participating Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member hotel. Travelers must book by November 30, 2020 and travel by January 31, 2021. Blackout dates apply.

Atlantis First Night Free Package In celebration of the resort's reopening, Atlantis is offering guests their first night free with a two-night minimum stay. Bookable between November 10 22 and valid for stays between December 10 17.

Baha Mar Dream Away and Getaway Package Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is offering guests 20 percent off just in time for the resort's December 17 reopening. Book by December 6, 2020 for stays through April 4, 2021.

Coral Sands Resort Credit - The beloved Harbour Island resort is offering a $100 resort credit inclusive of daily continental breakfast for two and access to all non-motorized water sports when staying for a minimum of two nights. The offer is valid through December 15, 2020.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Travel Weekly'sMagellan Awards Recognizes The Bahamas' Still Rockin' Campaign The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation's Still Rockin' campaign was awarded the best destination advertising/marketing campaign. In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the campaign highlighted The Bahamas' 14 major islands unimpacted by the storm, which contributed to the country's record-breaking year of 7.2 million visitors in 2019. The awards also recognized the Ministry's From Bahamas With Love campaign, which was awarded silver in the destination marketing TV commercial category.

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 onFacebook,YouTubeorInstagramto see why It's Better in The Bahamas.

PRESS INQUIRIESAnita Johnson-PattyGeneral Manager, Global CommunicationsBahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation[emailprotected]

Weber ShandwickPublic Relations[emailprotected]

SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

https://www.bahamas.com

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What's New In The Islands Of The Bahamas This Winter - PRNewswire