Daily Archives: July 21, 2020

Officials in the Bahamas say that starting Wednesday, it will ban travelers from the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials say the large increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States and other countries is the reason for the ban; however, some international travel will be permitted, although it will be confined to Canada, Britain, and the European Union. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The ban marks a sudden shift from the Bahamas decision three weeks ago to reopen to virtually all international tourism.

Those still permitted to travel to the Bahamas under the new requirements must test negative for COVID-19 from an accredited lab 10 or fewer days before traveling, or otherwise quarantine themselves for 14 days.

Regrettably, the situation here at home has already deteriorated since we began the reopening of our domestic economy, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said Sunday. It has deteriorated at an exponential rate since we reopened our international borders.

The prime minister also said, Our current situation demands decisive action if we are to avoid being overrun and defeated by this virus. He said these strong actions were being taken to save lives.

Bahamas airline, Bahamasair, is halting all flights to and from the United States.

The new travel bans are an attempt to halt the increase of the virus in the Bahamas. According to the Johns Hopkins Universitys COVID-19 dashboard, the Bahamas has 153 confirmed cases with 11 deaths.

We cannot risk the death of Bahamians and residents. We must be resolved in our collective willingness to save lives, said Minnis.

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Bahamas to Ban International Travel Amid COVID Concerns - Voice of America

The Bahamas, which reopened for tourism at the beginning of July, is urging travelers to the destination that there are several protocols they need to follow.

Crucially, all travelers to The Bahamas must present proof of a COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than 10 days before their date of travel (children under 10 do not need a test).

All travelers also need to fill out an electronic health visa application prior to departure (you can find it here), which includes uploading the test results and filling out contact information.

Those applications can take up to 72 hours to process meaning you should fill them with enough lead time.

Once approved for a health visa, travelers will get a green code and must present that upon check-in and arrival to The Bahamas.

All travelers to The Bahamas need to wear face masks in any situation where it is necessary to enforce physical distancing guidelines such as navigating air and sea terminals, collecting luggage, the full duration of taxi rides and while waiting to be seated at dining establishments, the countrys Ministry of Tourism said.

For more, visit Bahamas Tourism.

CJ

Excerpt from:

Traveling to The Bahamas: What You Need to Know - Caribbean Journal

USS Mitscher (USN file image)

By The Maritime Executive 07-19-2020 02:24:38

[Brief]On Saturday, the Arleigh Burke-classdestroyer USS Mitscher assisted a sailing yacht which had gone adriftabout 150 nautical miles east of the Bahamas.

The distressed vessel radioed for help on the morning of July 17, and U.S. Coast Guard District 7 received the message. The Coast Guard coordinated with Mitscher, which was the closest ship able to render assistance. Mitscher rendezvoused with the vessel later that evening and towed it to San Salvador, Bahamas overnight.

The 51-foot sailing vessel had a damaged steering shaft and was unable to maneuver. There were three adults onboard and all arein good condition.

I am thankful that we were in a position to render assistance to mariners in distress, said Mitscher's CO, Cmdr. Matthew Cox. The crews ability to quickly prepare and safely tow the vessel to safe harbor shows the versatility, professionalism, and teamwork of our sailors.Im very proud of how the team worked together during this event.

Mitscher, which is part of Destroyer Squadron 22 and Carrier Strike Group 2, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting unit-level training.

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US Navy Destroyer Rescues Yacht Off the Coast of the Bahamas - The Maritime Executive

There may be no better way to find escape from the pandemic than the glorious seclusion of a Caribbean private island resort.

Social distancing is a given when youre sharing an exclusive dot of land in the middle of the ocean with a relative handful of other guests and resort staff.

At some, like the legendary Petit St. Vincent (opening Nov. 1), you can literally limit your human contact to a few minutes at check-in and check-out, simply raising a flag at your private villa when you need food, drink, or other essentials discreetly dropped at your door.

At others, its possible to rent out the entire island especially useful if you want to limit your vacation interactions to a group of responsible, mask-wearing friends and family.

Not every Caribbean private island resort has reopened in the wake of COVID-19; the British Virgin Islands, home to several of the top resorts in the Caribbean, remains closed to international visitors, for example. But here are some great private islands where you can relax in luxury and safety this summer: (Note: due to recent changes, you can fly to The Bahamas only through private airlines or charter flights and airlines like Tropic Ocean Airways.)

Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

Just a short hop by air from Providenciales, Ambergris Cay has a collection of beautiful whitewashed villas lined up before a shimmering swath of white sand, customized dining, attentive staff, and a wide range of activities from exploring the island on electric golf carts to romantic dining on a middle-of-nowhere sandbar. Daily spa treatments are included in room costs. It reopens with the Turks and Caicos Islands relaunch July 22.

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From The Bahamas to Turks and Caicos, 7 Private Islands You Can Visit - Caribbean Journal

She is famous for being one of the five bridesmaids at Charles and Dianas wedding but nowadays India Hicks is living a quiet life in the Bahamas.

Getty

Prince Charles has always had a soft spot for his goddaughter, reveals Phil. Although India has lived in the Bahamas for many years she keeps in constant touch with Charles and speaks to him often. They share the same sense of humour and he loves her free spirit. Charles will always be close to India.

Two years ago, India revealed the strength of that bond in an interview.

Charles was, and still is, a remarkable godfather caring, considerate, and involved. I adored him then and still do now, she told Town and Country magazine.

In 2018, when Charles turned 70, India paid tribute to him posting on Instagram, Every birthday, every Christmas, a card and present would arrive from my godfather. To begin with they were signed from your loving Godfather Charles then they became your old Godfather Charles then your ancient Godfather Charles.

In 2018, when Charles turned 70, India paid tribute to him posting on Instagram.

Getty

He might be celebrating a 70th birthday this year but, goodness, he is far from ancient.

She added: I am lucky to have such a godfather, but we are all lucky to have such a prince amongst us.

Now 52, India was born into an aristocratic family and was once 678th in line to the throne. Through her maternal grandfather, the Earl of Mountbatten, she is also a second cousin to Prince Charles. As a result of her royal connections, at 13 years she was asked to be a bridesmaid at the 1981 royal wedding.

She has said that as a teenage tomboy she was initially horrified to be asked but then glowed with pride when the big day came, Phil explains.

India would later recall the momentous day and seeing the Princess of Wales first appear in her wedding dress.

I clearly remember the moment Diana appeared at the top of the staircase. Everyone fell silent. The bride was radiant and ready to become the most famous of princesses, says India, whose mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, was one of the Queens bridesmaids.

As a result of her royal connections, at 13 years India was asked to be a bridesmaid at the 1981 royal wedding.

Getty

India has worked as a model, photographer and interior designer and ran a luxury lifestyle brand until last year. Prince Charles was one of the first family friends to offer his support when she decided to step away from her business.

Charles commiserated with her and told her she should be proud of what she had achieved, explains the royal expert. But he also told her to look forward and get involved with something else.

Since then India has concentrated on charity work, Shes also launched a podcast and has included interviews with her mother.

Charles has loved listening and of course they bring back memories of Lady Pamelas father, Lord Mountbatten.

For more, pick up the latest issue of New Idea. Out now!

New Idea

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Secret royal living in the Bahamas EXPOSED - New Idea

Renovating a house is a big undertaking. Renovating an entire resort? Thats a project on a whole other level. But its a challenge the Baeumler family felt they were up to. Home renovation experts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler packed up their four kids and relocated to the Bahamas, where they planned to renovate an entire resort. Their odyssey is chronicled in the HGTV series Renovation Island.

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When the Baeumlers bought an abandoned 10-acre resort on the island of South Andros, they had big dreams. They wanted to turn the rundown vacation spot into an island oasis, with 18 luxury hotel rooms, 22 ocean-front villas, and plenty of resort amenities. And they wanted to do it all in six months.

Bryan and Sarah along with a small staff dove right in, tackling a long list of must-do projects that had to be completed before they could welcome any guests. That included renovating the propertys full-service restaurant, clubhouse, spa, pool, and bar.

This is the biggest change our family has faced and the largest project weve ever taken on, Bryan said, adding that the family was risking absolutely everything on the venture.

Everyone said we were crazy, said Sarah. But our hearts said yes this is the right thing to do.

The renovation of the Baeumlers resort is still playing out on HGTV. But its not a huge spoiler to say that they did eventually complete the project (though we dont know if they got it done in their six-month time frame.) Caerula Mar Club which Conde Nast Traveler named one of the best new hotels of 2020 was the first new hotel on South Andros Island in nearly two decades, and its currently taking reservations.

Per night prices at Caerula Mar Club start at $385, according to the resorts website. Private beach villas are $865 a night and up. The resort is currently closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but is accepting bookings from October 24, 2020.

All rooms and villas feature luxurious details like premium linens and full or partial ocean views. There are also several dining options on-site, a spa, free bikes you can use to explore the surrounding area, and (of course) a gorgeous beach.

Caerula Mar Club has only been open for a few months (the pandemic hit just six weeks after the grand opening, Bryan shared on Instagram), so it doesnt have a ton of online reviews yet. But those who have visited the resort have raved about it.

One family that stayed for a week this spring called the hotel wonderful and worth every dollar spent in a TripAdvisor review. Another said the resort was very remote, but so relaxing. Many praised both the delicious food and the attentive service.

Bryan and Sarah Baeumlur are the owners of this specialized resort and they have done an amazing job of renovating and updating this once forgotten place in paradise, one guest shared. The atmosphere is quiet and tranquil and the beauty of the island and beaches surpassed our expectations.

Renovation Island airs Sundays at 8/7c on HGTV.

More here:

'Renovation Island': Here's How Much It Costs to Stay at the Baeumler Family's Luxury Bahamas Beach Resort - Showbiz Cheat Sheet