Monthly Archives: April 2021

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

When Hurricane Dorian tore across the Bahamas in 2019, tens of thousands of families were left without clean water and basic supplies. Local wells had been engulfed with seawater and the utility infrastructure was destroyed. Bottled water was limited and at a cost that many families were unable to afford.

Mercy Corps arrived in Grand Bahama, one of the hardest hit islands, with immediate emergency support, delivering hygiene kits, solar panels, and a stopgap supply of water. The WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) team partnered with the sole utility company in Grand Bahama to build a water treatment system and distribution network. By coordinating with the local government, community groups, and other humanitarian organizations that were on the ground, the WASH team treated and distributed clean drinking water to almost 5,000 families in Grand Bahama within weeks. After months of close collaboration with the Grand Bahama Utility Company, Mercy Corps handed over the water distribution network to the company to continue to provide clean water to their community.

In moments of crisis, including natural disasters, conflict, and displacement, Mercy Corps WASH experts priority is to provide communities with the basic necessity of water and sanitation so they can focus on rebuilding their lives. WASH is not an engineering thing. It's a public health activity, said the programs senior advisor, Mugur Dumitrache, who was in Grand Bahama to support planning and logistics in rebuilding access to clean water. Everything relates to health. While WASHs principles are around sustainability, equity, and inclusion, the program is driven by enhancing and maintaining the public health of all the communities it supports across the world.

The COVID19 pandemic had underscored how WASH intersects with public health. In 2020, Mercy Corps reached more than 9million people through WASH programs in 25 countries, and developed COVID19-related services to existing projects that served 4million people. The expansion of our WASH work during the unprecedented pandemic included developing more access to piped water, building latrines, and promoting hygiene.

In rural northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mercy Corps was already on site and working to alleviate the Ebola epidemic amidst displacement due to armed conflict since 2019. When the COVID19 pandemic struck, WASH expanded their existing programs and built more hand-washing stations in busy areas. Although community members in the DRC are familiar with hygiene and prevention measures due to their experience from the Ebola outbreak, COVID19 specific information was necessary to further protect themselves. From the DRC to Afghanistan to Indonesia, our WASH team members have distributed hygiene kits along with accessible information about COVID19 and how to stay safe.

Our WASH teams commitment to the wellbeing and safety of communities is integral to its development every step of the wayespecially for women and girls. Limited access to water supply and sanitation disproportionately affect women and girls since they are most often responsible for collecting water. They may have to devote much of their day to the task, raising school dropout rates, and increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

From the first planning stages of any response, WASH team members talk to women and girls in the community. [The team] gets their views and opinions about which are the best places, locations, to place those water points so that they can access those without any fear, or without any risk of getting harmed, said Mercy Corps WASH teams senior advisor, Manzoor Hussain.

Our teams make sure that they have, through community elders and the communities, women participation and representation, said Manzoor. Through feedback and working closely with local organizations and governments, our WASH teams form relationships to build and restore equitable solutions and sustainable systems that theyre able to hand back to the communities.

Since 2010, the United Nations declared access to water and sanitation to be a human right. Yet, globally, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two in five people are unable to access basic hand-washing facilities with soap and water, and 2billion people are without toilets and latrines. Clean water and proper hygiene are critical for people to stay healthyespecially in emergencies, where access to these essentials is crucial to rebuilding lives and livelihoods. For people who are in the most vulnerable time of their lives, WASH is a foundation for recovery by providing access to what is most fundamental for human survival.

Join us in building a more equitable world.

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From emergency to recovery: Delivering water, sanitation, and hygiene - Mercy Corps

We have come too far to veer off courseCDC raises Bahamas travel advisory from level three to more serious level four

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) President Robert Sandy Sands yesterday warned that this nation cannot allow apathy or COVID-19 fatigue to jeopardize tourism industry gains in recent months, noting we have come too far to veer off course.

Sands acknowledged in a statement yesterday that as the country was taking a step in the right direction with the distribution of vaccines, the Center for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) re-designation to level four status from warning level three for its COVID-19 Travel Health Notices was not a step in the direction The Bahamas wants to go.

Sands went on to reiterate how important it was for Bahamian citizens, residents and visitors to continue to adhere to established health and safety protocols.

The BHTA [and] our private and public sector tourism partners continue to emphasize how vital it is that we do not let our guard down, said Sands.

The measures we have deployed thus far have worked in our favor social distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, to name a few. Now is not the time to celebrate a victory because we have not crossed the finish line.

We can and will get there, but we must continue to deploy practicable common-sense steps: adhere to proven protocols and comply with rules and regulations put in place to mitigate the spread of the virus. These, along with a robust vaccination strategy, are key to our ability to avoid the massive resurgence so many countries are facing right now.

Sands stated: We have come too far to veer off course at this critical stage in our journey to a full and sustained recovery.

He praised those who have contributed to the countrys success in controlling the spread of the virus, namely the Bahamas government, the Bahamas Ministry of Health, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, private sector employers and employees, entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry and beyond, and Bahamian citizens and residents.

Sands said: I have personally spoken to taxi drivers, tour operators, owners and operators of small, medium and large businesses who are so grateful that business is coming back, so happy to return to work and provide for their families once again.

We cannot allow apathy or COVID-19 fatigue to jeopardize all that we have accomplished, the sacrifices made by so many. Hope is on the horizon; we need to continue to be vigilant in our efforts to combat this virus.

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IN JEOPARDY: BHTA president warns against apathy and COVID fatigue injuring tourism industry rebound - EyeWitness News

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 20-year-old American man is dead and his father is in hospital after their plane crashed in waters near South Bimini shortly after take-off on Friday night.

According to Air Accident Investigation Authority chief investigator, Captain Delvin Major, officials received information about the incident around 10.48 pm.

Initial reports noted that an aircraft had crash landed in waters near the island.

Captain Major said after receiving word of the incident, a team of investigators from the AAIA and Civil Aviation Authority was dispatched to the area early Saturday morning.

Investigations by the team revealed that a Piper Navajo PA-31 aircraft, pictured, registered in the United States, took off from South Bimini International Airport with two men on board.

According to international reports, family members have identified the victims as 59-year-old Andre Wade and 20-year-old Kyle Wade, father and son. Their plane was headed to Opa Locka, Florida.

However, shortly after take-off, the plane crashed in shallow waters at the end of the airports runway around 10.10pm.

Two persons (father and son) were onboard the aircraft at the time, Captain Major said in a statement released on Saturday.

The son succumbed to injuries sustained and the father was airlifted to Nassau. Up to press release time, he was being prepared for transfer to the USA to receive medical treatment.

The pilot was in possession of a valid USA commercial pilot license with appropriate ratings for the aircraft as well as a valid medical certificate.

Captain Major said Royal Bahamas Police Force officers and Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers as well as OPBAT and Bimini residents assisted with rescue and recovery efforts, arriving within two minutes of notification.

Efforts are underway to retrieve the aircraft from its current location to secure it at a facility where further analysis can be conducted. The AAIA is on site and will continue its investigation to determine the cause of the crash, he added.

Last month, an aircraft headed to Inagua crashed near Salina Point, Acklins with two Bahamian men onboard. There has been no recovery of the aircraft or its occupants to date.

However, relatives of one of the missing men told The Tribune last month that they have not given up hope and believe wholly and solely that hes alive.

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Son dead and father in hospital after Bimini crash - Bahamas Tribune

By FELICITY DARVILLE

Somewhere out there, a little girl dreams of becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This lofty aspiration will not be out of reach if the Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) and Zonta Club of New Providence have anything to do about it. They have been assiduously working to change the narrative and place females at equal levels as males in leadership positions in every profession.

Most recently, they led a four-day training series called Preparing Women in Leadership, Parliamentary and Public Office Training. More than 400 women registered for the event, making it a history-making training workshop, proving the power of outreach in a digital space.

The steering committee was resolved to see to it that more women contest a seat in the next General Elections than ever before. They believe that without enough women in leadership in politics and governance, the needs of women, and even children, are not being met on the level that they need to be. This can have ripple effects in terms of social, health, educational, and other aspects of everyday life.

Policies must be put in place to support the advancement and empowerment of women and without women in key positions to present their cause, they run the risk of being overlooked. To this end, CIWiL and Zonta joined with the Department of Gender and Family Affairs (DGFA), Ministry of Social Services and Community Development with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to host the virtual seminar, which covered two weekends.

Participants included a number of women who are currently vying to represent the people of The Bahamas in the next General Elections. They include: Arinthia Komolafe, leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA); S Ali McIntosh, leader of the Bahamas Constitution Party; Pia Glover-Rolle, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Candidate for Golden Gates; Richa Sands of the Bahamas Coalition of Independents; and others. They were joined by several potential candidates who have yet to be named, as well as current political leaders.

Attendees also included numerous public officials as well as private sector leaders including CEOs, and a large number of aspirants seeking either political or public office, or corporate leadership. Current Free National Movement (FNM) Cabinet member Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe and Bahamian-born city council representative for Miami Gardens Shannan Ighodaro brought their expertise to the table.

Each session was interactive and required participation, giving each individual a chance to take part in a notable event designed to turn the tides of national leadership in favour of women with a view to support and walk alongside men. Speaker of the House of Assembly D Halston Moultrie participated with his support, attendance and endorsement of the training. He expressed his honour in being a part and looked forward to the development and growth of women and their commitment to empower and advance the status of women in political and national service.

CIWiL pinpointed four goals for the training sessions: to provide leadership training for candidates in national or local elections; to improve the understanding of governance and identify approaches/opportunities to promote gender equality and womens transformational leadership in governance; to formulate strategies to overcome barriers which may limit their involvement and active participation in political and decision-making capacities; and to identify opportunities for action to influence positive outcomes for women and constituents.

CIWiL Chair and former DNA candidate Charlene Paul said the workshops focused on preparing candidates and providing women with the skills and knowledge to become agents of social change. The training sessions, she added, are key to building the skills, knowledge and values women need to participate in the political process. CIWiL aims to achieve more just, poverty-free, violence-free and equitable nations throughout the Caribbean region, and women must be fully involved in the decision-making processes that impact their lives.

Women in decision making roles are still the exception rather than the norm, Zontas National Advocacy Chair Marisa Mason-Smith pointed out. Zonta seeks to empower and advance the status of women through service and advocacy.

Without a critical mass of women in our Parliament or our boardrooms, womens voices are still absent from the major decisions made in this country. More than ever, we are mindful of the importance of womens leadership for the holistic empowerment of women as a driver of gender equality, social and economic progress in nation-building. ZONTA joins with the United Nations and the world in celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. Today there is more acceptance than ever before that women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table, and make irreplaceable contributions to decisions, policies and laws that work better for all.

CIWiL and Zonta first made history when, on December 11, 2020, they along with other NGOs organized the first-ever Women in Parliament session on the invitation of Speaker Moultrie. There were two resolutions presented: to eliminate gender-based violence by 2030; and to increase women leadership in Parliament and national office and to encourage and support Government, Official Opposition and all political parties deliver the requisite training and to establish quotas as follows:

Institute Quotas for all Political Parties to ensure that no less than:

30 percent of the constituencies in 2022 general election be reserved for women;

50 percent of Senatorial appointments by both government and opposition are women;

50 percent of candidates chosen to contest local government elections are women;

50 percent of Cabinet appointments be women; and

50 percent of the constituencies in 2027 general election be reserved for women, so that The Bahamas will achieve its obligations to the Bahamian people.

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Frankie Campbell opened the event, throwing his full support behind the resolutions and the efforts to train women to be ready to take up more positions in governmental leadership.

On Friday, March 19, the sessions began with: Understanding the Bahamian Political Culture: A Historical Overview. Dame Janet Bostwick, first female Member of Parliament and first female Attorney General for the FNM, left participants in awe as she laid out the Bahamian political landscape from then to now. She placed it all in the context of where the nation needs to go in her address, Breaking the Glass Ceiling.

Former PLP Cabinet Ministers the Allison Maynard-Gibson and Melanie Griffin spoke on Women in Political Transition and Women and the Legislative Process respectively. Senator Jasmin Dareus looked at Women and the Preparation Process. Attendees benefitted from not only hearing from our women political leaders, but being able to put questions to them and gain sound advice for their own way forward.

United Nations Committee to End Discrimination Against Women and Girls (CEDAW) member Marion Bethel put the Bahamas issues in a global context. She spoke on the international and regional mechanisms on human rights and gender equality. She also shared on research close to her heart the vision and activism of the Womens Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas. The following day, UN representative Gaynel Curry expanded on the UN Resolutions and goals and what guided on what is necessary to meet them.

Dr Rosina Wiltshire, CIWiL Founding Member and Gender Specialist, led the Saturday session on: The Importance of Transformational and Gender-Responsible Leadership Repositioned. This included understanding Human Rights, democracy and political participation; and identification of the relevant core international conventions, treaties, platforms and goals that shape womens rights and state responsibilities (CEDAW; Beijing Platform for Action; Belem do Para; SDGs). CIWiL also addressed good governance and government responsibilities, while breakout sessions allowed women to discuss these issues in smaller groups. Dr Wiltshire focused on the qualities of a transformational leader versus a transactional leader, noting that there is a greater need for more transformational leaders as it touches to the core of humanity.

Daniela Carrera-Marquis, Country Representative for Inter-American Development Bank Country Office Bahamas encouraged participants and reminded them that organisations like the IDB give women the support and in some cases, the funding necessary to achieve national development goals. During the Friday, March 26 session, Lady Anande Trotman Joseph, CIWiL Board President explained how to build partnerships and allies that could last women leaders for a lifetime.

With media and communications playing such an important role in women getting their message out, professionals in this area gave their expertise, including: Felicity Darville; DAsante Small; Heather McDonald; Kim Welcome; and Dr Deborah Bartlett. On Saturday, March 27, the IDBs Natalie Bethel tackled Gender Data and Development. Former FNM Senator Tanya McCartney gave a riveting presentation on Leading in a Patriarchal Society, while Joanne Massiah laid down the rules and provided the tools, mindset and expectations in Preparing for Representation.

Participants gave high marks for the four-day training session, with special thanks to steering committee members Marisa Mason-Smith and Charlene Paul (Co-Chairs); Dr Jacinta Higgs, Director DGFA; UN representatives Bethel and Curry; Senate President Dr. Mildred Hall-Watson; and CIWiL board members Jewel Edwards, Sharon Martin and Sheena Culmer.

The Women in Parliament session set out a list of objectives, and the steering committee found the need for training and retraining as vital to achieve these objectives.

They include: prioritize and enact laws to address intimate partner, gender based, domestic and sexual violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, cyber violence, and online stalking; establish a statutory National Non-Violence Council empowered to provide grants for non-governmental organizations to implement non-violence programmes, public education, capacity-building training, projects and research relative to eliminations violence against women, men, boys, girls, children and families; reform constitution, laws and regulations to allow a mother to transfer her citizenship to her child; implement a gender sensitive national budget and enact a National Gender Equality Bill, to ensure the equity, equality, parity and empowerment of women and men; strengthen the national statistical system to fund and conduct surveys about gender-based violence, asset ownership, poverty, disability and migration; and promote equal participation of women in leadership matters of environment, climate change, gender mainstreaming, disaster reduction and recovery.

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FACE TO FACE: Setting out the path to giving women a fairer deal - Bahamas Tribune

BIMINI, BAHAMAS A 59-year-old man and his 20-year-old son were the sole passengers of a plane that crashed in shallow waters in South Bimini on Friday, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA).

The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Bimini International Airport at approximately 10.10pm.

The son succumbed to his injuriesand the father was airlifted to Nassau.

At last report, he was being prepared for transfer to the USA to receive medical treatment.

The AAIA advised that the Piper Navajo PA-31 with United States registration was destined for Opa-locka, Florida.

A team of investigators from both the AAIA and Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAA-B) were dispatched to South Bimini on Saturday to investigate the matter.

Officials said efforts were underway to retrieve the aircraft and secure it at a facility where further analysis can be conducted.

Investigations to determine the cause of the crash are continuing.

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Bimini plane crash leaves son dead and father in hospital - EyeWitness News

ABACO, BAHAMAS A widely shared video allegedly showing three undocumented Haitian migrants living in a school bus on Abaco led to their arrest and ultimate conviction for illegal landing in the Magistrates Court today.

The Department of Immigration in a statement said an investigation was launched into the video after an official complaint was lodged.

On 19th April, 2021, a joint operation consisting of officers from the Departments Abaco District, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and officials from the Departments of Housing and Environmental Health led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of three Haitian adult male migrants, the department noted.

An official complaint was lodged with the department after a video made the rounds on social media of a school bus that had been converted into a dwelling home for suspected illegal migrants in the Dundas Town, Abaco area.

The team investigated the complaint and found three males, later discovered to be Haitian migrants onboard the bus.

The trio attempted to evade custody, however, did not make good their escape. The men were cautioned and transported to the Immigration Marsh Harbour Office, where further investigations revealed that they possessed no legal status in the country.

All migrants stated that they entered the country via boat in December 2020.

According to the Department of Immigration, the migrants appeared before Magistrate Ancella Evans and all pleaded guilty to illegal landing.

They were fined $300 each, or in default of payment must serve one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The men will remain in the Department of Immigrations custody for deportation, while the Departments of Housing and Environmental Health or any other relevant agency will pursue legal recourse for infractions of any other laws in respect to the initial report.

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Three men arrested and charged for illegal landing following viral video showing migrants living in bus - EyeWitness News

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

COVID-19 vaccinations on Grand Bahama will resume today at the Susan J Wallace Community Centre in Freeport for several eligible groups.

A second vaccination centre has also been designated at the Eight Mile Rock Clinic for residents in West Grand Bahama.

The administration of the vaccine on Abaco and its cays will take place Thursday to Monday among five eligible groups, including health care workers, persons 50 years of age and older, uniformed branches, teachers and staff of schools, and hospitality workers. In Grand Bahama, vaccinations will resume through Friday, April 16, in Freeport, between 8am to noon, and 1pm to 5pm for those with appointments.Vaccine administration will also take place on Saturday, April 17, at the Eight Mile Rock Clinic between the same hours to only residents of the Eight Mile Rock and West End communities.

People may register for an appointment at vax.gov.bs.

Vaccinations will only be given to persons registered for an appointment. Persons without internet access or needing assistance with registration may contact their local church or local government office, a statement from health officials said.

Eligible priority groups in Grand Bahama now include healthcare workers; persons 50 years of age and older; uniformed branches; teachers and staff of schools; hospitality workers; restaurant and retail workers; students and athletes studying or competing abroad, coaches and other support personnel; members of the clergy; and accredited media. The Tribune spoke with some pastors on the island about getting the vaccine. Pastor Eddie Victor, of Living Water Assembly of God, said he has not taken the shot and believes more testing and trials should be done on the long-term effects.

I have not taken it, and my family is not taking it because I am listening out for all the research, he said.

Pastor Jenese Pinder, of Emmanuel Baptist Disciple Centre, said that Dr Frank Bartlett had spoken with his congregation two weeks ago.

He educated us about it (the vaccine) at the church, he said.

However, Pastor Pinder said he is still undecided about it.

I am not sure yet if I am going to get it. I just want to be a little more educated about it first and get more information about it. But, some persons in our congregation have already gotten vaccinated, he said.

Bishop Edwin Pinder, of Emmanuel Baptist Church in McLeans Town, has also decided to wait.

I have not gotten it yet, I am still thinking about it. He falls within two eligible groupings as he is over 50-years-old and is a clergyman. I cant say yea or nay at this moment, and I want to wait it out a little bit, he said. I need to do a bit more research and I will wait it out.

When asked if some members of his congregation have been vaccinated, he said: Yes, some of them have. What I say to them I cant tell you dont or do, I tell them do what your heart says. If you feel like you want to go and get it, he said.

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Vaccinations resume on Grand Bahama - Bahamas Tribune

RBDF commodore expected to return to duty this weekCommodore and several personal, security and administrative staff contracted COVID-19

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr Raymond King has fully recovered from the coronavirus and is expected to return to active duty later this week.

Speaking with Eyewitness News, King said: Im fully recovered and will likely return to duty later this week. [I] offer thanks and praise to the almighty for restoring, protecting and keeping my family and I during the health crisis.

Additionally, I am forever grateful for the prayers, encouragement and overflowing love and support from family, friends and associates; church membership; officers and marines from all ranks and rates; former schoolmates; colleagues throughout the public service; and community members, among others.

King was in quarantine after being exposed to the virus earlier this month.

In a statement on April 4, the Cabinet Office said the commodore was experiencing mild symptoms.

Asked about claims of a large function at his home, the commodore advised that a small function was held on the exterior of his home, where members of his personal staff stopped briefly for grilled food between 3pm and 6pm on Good Friday.

He said the total number of attendees was 20.

A few members of my personal, security and administrative staff were unfortunately also exposed, King advised.

The fallacy of a perceived office bubble having worked closely together negates the fact that each of us return to our respective homes amongst family members who themselves are a part of their own social networks.

However, additional and enhanced measures will be implemented to protect and safeguard all and extended families.

However, the commodore noted that considering the points of exposure is difficult given the two-week gestation period and the commitments of his office with a number of meetings, briefings, ceremonies and courtesy.

He said some of these, for example, were held with internal and external stakeholders during that period, but health protocols were adhered to during each instance.

He said he and the officers and personal staff experienced mild symptoms at the small function, and two weeks prior placed them onboard the HMBS Coral Harbour at a commendation and award ceremony.

As it relates to his return to office, King said the organization has a robust medical vetting process whereby all exposures require members to obtain a negative PCR test result before being permitted back into the workplace.

Hence, I look forward to a successful medical vetting and return to office to continue the accomplishment of our mandate of protecting our borders, he said.

King was the first RBDF personnel to receive the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on March 22 around two weeks before he contracted the virus.

He encouraged officers and marines to make the right decision and get the vaccine.

The government has maintained vaccination is voluntary.

The commodore previously told Eyewitness News that, as a military organization, the defense force was considering making the vaccine mandatory for its marines given the nature of its operations and the exposure marines face as a result of their duties.

In Kings absence, Deputy Commander Captain Shonedel Pinder has managed defense force operations.

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FULLY RECOVERED: Commodore King says small function unlikely source of COVID exposure - EyeWitness News