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.
Here is the original post:
PM: Govt needs these powers Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News
- Mixed fortunes for USA and France in 4x400m heats at WRE Bahamas 24 | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Olympic qualification the main goal for global stars in Nassau | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Inside Track Podcast back in The Bahamas | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- How to watch Wayde van Niekerk live on 4-5 May at the World Athletics Relays 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas - Olympics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- JJ McCarthy And His Viral Fiance Are Currently Dominating The Bahamas - Outkick - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays in Bahamas includes Bailey, Peoples, and Holmes - Razorbacks Arkansas - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24: Preview, schedule, track stars to watch and how to follow the event live - Olympics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- What To Watch At The 2024 World Relays In Nassau, Bahamas - CITIUS Mag - Citius Mag - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: Netherlands and USA seek more 4x400m success | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- EVERYTHING READY FOR THE BAHAMAS 2024 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAY - Panam Sports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Former FTX Executive Ryan Salame Agrees to Forfeit $5.9 Million Bahamas House in Plea Agreement - Blockchain.News - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- USA's Paris Olympics Tickets Almost Snatched Away From Men's 4x400m Team After Suffering DQ at Bahamas Relays - EssentiallySports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Airline debuts service between PBIA and Abaco, Bahamas - WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Is Sha'Carri Richardson Running at World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24? Everything We Know about Team USA's Lineup - EssentiallySports - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Canadian men's 4x100 relay team races to silver in World Athletic Relays in Bahamas - CBC.ca - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays make a triumphant return to the Bahamas - Trackalerts.com, track and field news website - Trackalerts - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Margaritaville Bahamas cruise offers trips to Key West fall of 2024 - Palm Beach Post - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Lewis, Charlton and Hughes join Inside Track Podcast | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Former FTX Executive to Give Up Bahamas Property Worth $5.9 Million - The Tech Report - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- The Most Expensive Home in The Bahamas Just Sold for a Record $40 Million - Robb Report - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Bahamas: Contest for leadership of opposition party heats up | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Disney Cruise Line details the Junkanoo theme at new Bahamas destination - Travel Weekly - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: rivalries renewed in women's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Bahamas Mixed Relay squad punches ticket to Paris Olympics | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays start today in Bahamas | Sports - Jamaica Gleaner - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Relays are happening this weekend in the Bahamas - Athletics Illustrated - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 set to showcase star-studded cast ahead of Paris Olympics - caribbeannationalweekly.com - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- J.J. McCarthy, Fiancee Enjoying Vacation In The Bahamas - The Spun - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- "GROSS OVERSIGHT:" BAAAs apologizes for naming of "Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team" - EyeWitness News - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- WRE Bahamas 24 preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics - May 6th, 2024 [May 6th, 2024]
- Cruise bound for Bahamas rerouted to Boston because of storm - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally headed for Bahamas to stop in Portland due to storm - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Inside Lionel Richie's Star-Studded 'Dancing on the Sand' Weekend In the Bahamas - PEOPLE - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- 7 Top-Rated Bahamas All-Inclusive Resorts You Should Book - TheTravel - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- December Cruise To Bahamas Rerouted To Canada - Jalopnik - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines starts flying to the Bahamas from Seattle and Los Angeles - The Points Guy - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- You Can Now Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles to Nassau, The Bahamas - Caribbean Journal - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- THE BAHAMAS AND ALASKA AIRLINES CELEBRATE FIRST-EVER NONSTOP ROUTES CONNECTING WEST ... - Yahoo Finance - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise ship originally en route to Bahamas docks in Boston due to weather - CBS Boston - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Cruise Ship Originally En Route To Bahamas Docks In Boston Due To Weather - Patch - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Alaska Airlines Launches First-Ever Routes to Guatemala and the Bahamas - Business Traveler USA - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Kickin' It With Q: Cowgirls in the Bahamas (E.5) - Oklahoma State Athletics - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas hotel resort review - The Week - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- A Black Girl's Guide To Celebrating Junkanoo In Bahamas - Refinery29 - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines Celebrate First-Ever Nonstop Routes - eTurboNews | eTN - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Live from AMERICANAFEST 2023: Brennen Leigh & Bahamas : World Cafe Words and Music Podcast - NPR - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- World Series of Poker Paradise part of growing sports scene in Bahamas - Fox News - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- TCI young men performing well at Blazer Elite Sports Academy in The Bahamas - Turks and Caicos Sun - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Royal Caribbean Closes In on New Resort in Freeport, Bahamas - Cruise Hive - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Bahamas: Spilligate'23 concert featuring Burna Boy postponed - St Vincent Times - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- Snaresbrook Manor is a Luxury Oasis in Governor's Harbour Bahamas - stupidDOPE.com - December 19th, 2023 [December 19th, 2023]
- KU falls to Bahamas in rematch, 87-81 - KUsports - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Lindsay Shiver's alleged Bahamas lover downplays plot to kill husband - New York Post - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- 5 Reasons To Visit This Lesser-Known Island In The Bahamas - Travel Off Path - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Ohio or the Bahamas? This kayaking paradise has crystal clear water - 614NOW - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Eric Gordon to reportedly represent Team Bahamas - Eurohoops - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Sebastian Walcott Is the Rangers'and the Bahamas'Future - D Magazine - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- These Are The 10 Best Things To Do On Grand Bahama Island - TheTravel - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- WHAT'S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN AUGUST 2023 - PR Newswire - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Deandre Ayton, Kai Jones to rep The Bahamas at Olympic qualifiers ... - Loop News Caribbean - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Reliving the Legend: Michael Jordan's Bahamas Pick-Up Trash-Talk ... - Landon Buford - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- For Mayor Adams, Any Day Has the Makings of Flag Day - The New York Times - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- MAKING HISTORY: 80-member team named for the CARIFTA Games - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Bahamas geography, maps, climate, environment and terrain from Bahamas ... - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas government structure and political parties. - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Is Bahamas a poor country? | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas Population and Demographics from Bahamas | - CountryReports - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- Bahamas interception of sea-borne Cuban migrants jumps in 2022 - January 17th, 2023 [January 17th, 2023]
- Bahamas national football team - Wikipedia - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- LeBron James Sipped Champagne and Vodka All Night Alongside Katy Perry in Crazy Bahamas Party in 2010 - EssentiallySports - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hidden Worlds and The Islands of The Bahamas Bringing Awareness to Ocean Conservation - South Florida Caribbean News - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- 'Smoking a big spliff in the Bahamas': Nick's 10-year plan, and why his 'secret weapon' has him high on life - The Roar - December 23rd, 2022 [December 23rd, 2022]
- SBF's parents visited Bahamas prison where he's in custody - Business Insider - December 18th, 2022 [December 18th, 2022]
- Alex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro share Instagram video of their stunning private vacation in the Northeastern Bahamas - Sportskeeda - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- @realGeorgeHotz More Than Just a Polycule in the Bahamas, That's for Sure! - Latest Tweet by Elon Musk - LatestLY - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Bahamas' Attorney General Defends Country's Regulatory Regime Amid FTX 'Debacle' - CoinDesk - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- Dayton regroups with two home games this week after 0-3 finish in Bahamas - Dayton Daily News - November 30th, 2022 [November 30th, 2022]
- The Bahamas' Club Med Columbus Set To Reopen This Month - TravelPulse - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- UH, U of the Bahamas partner in island sustainability, disaster risk reduction | University of Hawaii System News - University of Hawaii - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]