Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government is looking at how it will seek to mandate the use of masks in public spaces once the emergency orders are lifted, according to Attorney General Carl Bethel.

Bethel, however, did not indicate what avenues are being considered once the country reopens for economic activity on July 1.

We are looking at how to do it, he told Eyewitness News when asked.

The Bahamas has been in a state of emergency since March 17 with a 24-hour curfew and weekend lockdowns.

The government passed sweeping orders, implementing strict social distancing protocols in order to slow the local spread of the virus.

On April 8, the government ordered thateveryone in The Bahamas should wear a mask when leaving their homes.

Every person who leaves his residence in accordance with the provisions of this order and any exemption granted hereunder shall wear a mask covering his nose and mouth while away from his residence, according to the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 2) (Amendment) (No. 7) Order, 2020.

An exempted business or undertaking may deny entry to any person not wearing a mask covering his nose and mouth.

Throughout the early course of the global outbreak of COVID19, general messaging from health authorities consistently urged that there was no need to wear a protective mask.

However, the government made the decision to implement the mandatory use of masks as apersonal defense measure against asymptomatic people.

The government also prohibited the importation of non-medical protective face masks creating a million dollar mask industry overnight.

The state of emergency is expected to come to an end on June 29, along with the emergency orders.

While weekend lockdowns came to an end this week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said the 9pm curfew will remain in effect until then.

The country is moving into Phase 4 of the governments plan for reopening, with the resumption of operations of restaurants, bars, and beauty professionals by Monday.

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Govt. looking to mandate the use of masks in public spaces - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has announced a second phase of financial relief options for its Caribbean clients impacted by the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

The Canadian bank with operations in the Caribbean in notice issued yesterday said that effective immediately, RBC PersonalBanking clients in the Caribbean will be able to apply for payment deferrals on auto loans, instalment loans, and mortgages. Clients may defer their payments for up to three months. Clients can participate in the deferral programby applying online through their web browser athttps://caribbean.rbcroyalbank.com.RBC FINCO mortgage clients must callthe banksBahamas Advice Centre at (242) 356-8500 or speak to their FINCO representative. Clients must apply for deferrals bymid-dayon July 15, 2020.

Business Banking and Corporate Banking clients may alsoapplyfor financial relief, following individual eligibility assessments with a Relationship Manager.

To be eligible for the program, client accountsmust be current and in good standing as of February 29, 2020.Clients who participated in the first phase of automatic payment deferrals are eligible to apply for these additional deferrals. Clients who are already participating in non-coronavirus RBC relief programsare excludedfrom this program.

The relief programis intended to provide flexible solutions and help clients manage through the impacts of COVID-19, such as pay disruption, childcare disruption due to school closures, or dealing with the COVID-19 illness itself. However, clients who are in a position to keep making their regular monthly payments are encouraged to do so, said the bank.

It added: RBC will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the evolving economic conditions in each country and territory where the bank operates. RBC may consider other relief measures, if necessary.

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RBC unveils second phase of COVID-19 relief - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said the Minister of Education must find a new way to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as teachers return to schools with uncertainty as to what is expected of them.

The government announced the closure of schools on March 15, after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the country.

After weeks of closures and a shift to virtual learning, some teachers returned to the classrooms last Wednesday.

Wilson said BUT stewards, assistant shop stewards, and executives conducted an inspection of schools throughout The Bahamas.

Many of the schools did not have the sanitizers, mask, markers for social distancing nor were the classrooms cleaned, she advised.

Most principals did not have any information from the Ministry of Education so it was trial and error.

Janitress arrived at school the same time as teachers so they did not have an opportunity to clean.

However, some principals who were proactive provided hand sanitizer and mask mostly at a few small institutions.

Wilson said some schools were a little better prepared with the necessary supplied but teachers are still uncertain as to what is expected of them.

We will continue to monitor the situation and teachers are reminded to be safe and follow all protocols, she said.

It is hoped that the Ministry of Education must change its modus operandi so that they can successfully navigate through this COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond.

Teachers with co-morbidities and illnesses have been advised to remain home and make contact with their principals.

Last week,Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that National Exams including BJCs and BGCSEs will be held on July 13.

The new date has garnered mixed views, with dozens of people voicing concerns over the readiness of students to take the test.

However, some teachers have also called into question the readiness of schools to host the examinations.

One teacher noted in a social media post that students will have to be spaced out in multiple classrooms in order to comply to social distancing protocols.

However, she indicated that for the aural part of the English BGCSE and BJC exams, multiple CD players and test CDs will be required for each classroom which most schools do not have.

Additionally, she noted that exam CDs are not allowed to be opened before the exams and cannot be replicated.

This is just among several concerns over how schools will have to shift operations to adjust to the virus.

When asked about the capacity concerns, Education Director Marcellus Taylor told Eyewitness News:We are aware of many such issues and seeking to address all of them.

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BUT: Some teachers return to school what now? - EyeWitness News

Tourism officials from The Bahamas announced Thursday it would open its borders to international tourists starting on July 1.

According to Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Director General Joy Jibrilu, the island nation is focused on the safety of visitors and is working with health and government to welcome guests back without fear of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

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The Bahamas closed its borders to travelers in March as the viral pandemic spread, but the nation began launching a campaign in April to inspire people through empathy.

As a result, tourists in the United States suffering from cabin fever due to the quarantines began searching for vacations in the Caribbean again and the Bahamas was at the top of the list.

Survey data presented by the tourism board showed that 40 percent of respondents willing to travel wanted to visit a beach destination, with seclusion and cruise alternatives topping the list of desires.

While data also showed many travelers would wait four-to-six months to travel again, they are preparing to hit the road and The Bahamas will be ready. Officials will soon be entering Phase 3 of reopening by increasing advertisements and ensuring the countrys brand is fresh on peoples minds.

Another main focus of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is hurricane season, which begins officially on Monday. The nations tourism industry rebounded from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian and plans remain in place to protect locals and visitors this season.

To help entice travelers to return, the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association also said that the majority of member brands offer a hurricane cancelation policy to protect tourists thinking about visiting the islands in the coming months.

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Bahamas Announces Borders Reopening to Travelers on July 1 - TravelPulse

The online trading regulatory landscape is about to get a shakeup in The Bahamas, one of the most popular and legitimate offshore destinations for foreign exchange and CFD brokers, with the nations regulator, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, to implement a range of new regulations, including leverage restrictions.

In particular, Finance Magnates has learned exclusively that the new regulation has been tabled by the Government of The Bahamas on the 27th of May 2020. Therefore, the countrys regulator will be implementing leverage restrictions of 200:1, as well as ban binary options trading. The regulator will also impose marketing restrictions, which will limit cold calling and other aggressive marketing tactics.

The Most Diverse Audience to Date at FMLS 2020 Where Finance Meets Innovation

Finance Magnates has seen a copy of the new rules Securities Industry (Contracts For Differences) Rules, 2020. According to the document, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas will require a minimum of 0.5 percent margin; a maximum 200:1 leverage will be applied to all underlying CFD assets except for crypto-currencies which the watchdog will establish on a case-by-case basis and brokers will need to ensure a retail client accounts net equity does not fall below 50 percent.

Trading in binary options will be prohibited for retail clients, and the SC will place restrictions on retail incentives, where enticements and bonuses will be banned, and negative balance protection will be required.

Furthermore, CFD businesses will be required to register the person responsible for the supervision of the company, who will ensure the company remains in compliance with the law.

There will also be additional reporting requirements specifically regarding CFD transactions, as well as standardized risk warnings and formats, similar to those implemented by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

Following ESMA implementing its product intervention measures, which severely limited leverage and placed restrictions on marketing, traders started leaving the continent in search of better trading conditions.

A lot of them ended up in The Bahamas, which has led to a number of brokers acquiring licenses from the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. Although the island nation does have a broker-dealer regulatory framework, until this point, dealing CFDs was loosely defined.

ATFX Thanks NHS Frontline Workers with 1k Fruit Boxes DonationGo to article >>

Following this, the online trading space has boomed over the past few years in the country. This has been a benefit for the country, which is heavily reliant on tourism, in terms of economic diversification and jobs.

Speaking to Finance Magnates, Andrew Rolle, Executive Committee Member of the Bahamas Investment & Securities Business Association (BISBA), said: Our aim is to help shape a regulatory environment where industry thrives within the context of protecting the jurisdictions reputation. The new rules are intended to satisfy consumers demands for protection and encourage more brokers to choose the Bahamas as their jurisdiction of choice. For the Bahamas, this leads to securing growth within the securities industry and jobs creation.

However, this boom has led to the regulator wanting to create an environment, which balances safety and opportunity. Taking inspiration from ESMA, and from other European regulators who have largely followed its lead, the Securities Commission has decided to crack down on what it believes is the real villain aggressive marketing and other bad practices, without having to significantly reduce leverage.

The Securities Commission of the Bahamas seems to be positioning the jurisdiction in a Goldielocks zone, commented Jim Manczak, Director of Bahamas Offshore Services. A set of rules more sensible than in the EU, but not as loose as most offshore jurisdictions. Im curious about how clients and brokers will react.

Furthermore, the regulator will allow professional clients who will not be subject to minimum margin requirements. A CFD firm can designate a client as an elective professional client only after the company has tested the client to determine their expertise, experience, and knowledge of CFDs and ensure that they understand the nature of the transactions or services.

According to the document, the client must elect to attain this status and must meet two of the following criteria:

The regulation changes by the SC show a commitment to the forex and CFD industry within the country, and will further legitimize the nation as a serious but friendly jurisdiction for trading.

However, it will be interesting to see what larger implications this regulation will have on the FX industry will other offshore jurisdictions follow suit, will The Bahamas lose its status as one of the best offshore jurisdictions, or will it work in favor of the country?

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Breaking: SC of The Bahamas to Implement Massive Regulatory Changes - Finance Magnates

By: Tim Reilly May 28, 2020

The 18th hole at The Abaco Club is a demanding challenge that comes with a surreal view on its perched-up oceanside green.

The Abaco Club

Welcometo our Where I played series, in which a resident GOLF staffer runs througha recent day at a course you might play in your future. Today, weve got theAbaco Club on Winding Bay, a true links course in the Bahamas.

Unlike its boisterous counterparts in the Bahamas, The Abaco Club on Winding Bay is a quiet refuge from the world. Abaco is home to a Scottish-style links course thats right, a links course in the Bahamas designed by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie. Sadly, in September 2019, Category 5 Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on the Great Abaco area and the club was closed for two months while it was rebuilt and recovered.

The Winding Bay Fundwas established to specifically assist the people of Abaco in the form of food, shelter, medical aid and supplies, and to provide assistance in the islands clean-up and rebuilding efforts. To date, the fund has raised over $3 million through donations from members, friends, family and visitors.

But The Abaco Club reopened for business less than two months after Dorian and hasnt looked back since. Heres what you should know about this under-the-radar Bahamas gem.

The 4th hole at The Abaco Club is the first time you get a glimpse of the ocean on the course, but it wont be the last.

The Abaco Club

Course: The Abaco Club on Winding Bay

My tee time: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13; and 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 (I couldnt resist going around a second time!)

Course Type: Private

Membership options: Full Membership Resident, Abaco Membership Non-Resident, Full Membership Non-Resident Bahamian Citizen, International Membership Non-Resident, Sports Membership, Social Membership

Price: Varies by season

How to get there: Traveling from New York, I took a connecting flight through Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Located just 186 miles east of Palm Beach, its a short puddle-jumper flight from the Florida coast.

Difficulty: You need to play well to score well. There wont be many lucky breaks coming your way. The fairway terrain often leaves you with an uneven lie and theres little room for error on approach shots. In true links fashion, its not uncommon to watch what you felt was a good shot roll 10-15 yards off the green in any direction. The undulated greens make it fun to track your ball when you strike putts just right but it also leaves you scratching your head when you dont.

The course gradually picks up in difficultly. Hole Nos. 15-18 are a real test and known as the best final stretch in the Bahamas. (Lets just say the views on those four helped distract me from the numbers on my scorecard.) The Abaco Club is challenging in the way a course should be, leaving you to say, I want to play again knowing what I do now.

Fun fact: The first tee is located just steps away from a cabana bar, Flippers, on the beach. Seriously, just steps away. Before my Friday twilight round, I lounged on the beach that looked like something youd find on a postcard, grabbed a drink at the bar and took it with me to the courseand made it back to the bar when I was done playing. Its the ideal circle of life when it comes to Bahamas golf livin.

Notable holes:

No. 4 (180-yard par-3) As the first hole that comes with a backdrop of the ocean, this is when the full beauty of the course truly begins. The staggered tee boxes are surrounded by colorful shrubbery and flowers that create a vibrant scene. You could end up playing a short-or-long iron, maybe even a hybrid, depending on the ocean breeze that day.

No. 16 (380-yard par-4) The 16th is by far the most intimidating tee shot on the course, especially if you venture to the back tees. Theres a canyon thats wedged between the right side of the fairway on 15 and 16. Unlike the 15th, which is more of a straight shot, the 16th bends to the right, begging you to accept the challenge and see how much of the canyon you can clear. This is your high-risk, high-reward moment on the course. The livings easy everywhere in Abaco other than the 16th tee.

Its a picture-perfect scene on the 17th hole at The Abaco Club.

The Abaco Club

No. 17 (163-yard par-4) Trouble on the right, a heavy slope on the left and blue ocean as far as the eye can see comes with the 17th hole. Its a picture-perfect par-3. Id be content grabbing a cooler and setting up shop to play the 17th over and over again for the day. This is the type of hole you daydream about at work.

No. 18 (543-yard par-5) Finish strong! Theres no room for error on the 18th tee shot. The ocean is embedded into your mind on the left, as youll hear waves crashing when you address the ball, but theres also hidden bushes and shrubs off to the right. I wouldnt count on reaching this par-5 in 2. The most important shot is your second. Try to avoid that runoff to the right of the green to end your round on a high note. When you tap that final putt in make sure to soak in the ocean view on a perched-up green.

I loved: The Abaco Club has world-class golf, beautiful views and a no-worries attitude, and thats all this golfer from the Big Apple could ask for. Theres nothing pretentious about the course, or the community as a whole for that matter. Barefoot luxury is what Abaco considers themselves and I can attest to that. All the amenities you could ask for exist while maintaining the feeling of an escape from reality.

After your round, I recommend taking the short stroll over to the beach, grab a drink at Flippers, jump in a kayak and take the 15-minute trek to whats referred to as Sugar Cane Island located straight off the Winding Bay beach. Its a small, uninhabited island thats the absolute perfect setting for a sunset drink.

Theres no better way to cap off a round of golf at The Abaco Club than to take in the sunset off Winding Bay.

The Abaco Club

I didnt love: The golf balls I lost on 15 and 16. You can find three custom-marked Life of Reilly balls laying in the bottom of the canyon between both holes. I pushed my ball off to the right once on 15 and went for the hero shot twice on 16 and you guessed it, came up a zero both times.

My lack of versatility around the greens was exposed in a big way. I dont frequently play many links-style courses, so I wasnt accustomed to keeping the ball low around the greens. I played a game of ping pong with myself on a few holes going from one side of the green to the other, but I have no one to blame by myself for that.

Bring your A-game and enjoy a slice of golf paradise at The Abaco Club.

Reilly is GOLFs social-media editor. In September 2017, he took over the reins to the brands Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. He manages GOLFs short- and long-term social strategy and produces social video content. Beyond the social space, he contributes to GOLF.com and GOLF Magazine as a writer. His ranking of the best golf scenes in Seinfeld is his magnum opus.

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Where I played: The Abaco Club is Bahamas golf (and living) at its best - Golf.com

What are your biggest business concerns surrounding COVID-19?

Our commitment remains to the health and safety of our residents and the millions of people that visit The Islandsof The Bahamas each year. The global tourism sector acted quickly to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike and destinations have unfortunately already felt the weight that COVID-19 will have on their economy. The tourism industry in The Bahamas accounts for just over 40% of our GDP and 50% of employment. Since this industry makes up such a large percentage of Bahamian employment, we are doing what we can to support those affected by job loss.

The Baha Mar Resort on Nassau.

Despite the devastating impact caused by Hurricane Dorian, we had a record 7.2 million international visitors last year. Due to the current travel restrictions, we are at zero. We, of course, want to welcome visitors back into The Bahamas when the time is right. In the meantime, we have brought a piece of The Bahamas to travelers homes through Zoom backgrounds where anyone can fly over the most beautiful turquoise waters in The Bahamas, hang with the flamingos or swim with the nurse sharks onBahamas.com/WithLove. We have also shared a messageFrom The Bahamas With Loveon The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviations YouTube page featuring a special message from Tourism Ambassador Lenny Kravitz,to remind consumers we will be ready to welcome tourists to our shores again when it is safe to do so.

The pink sand beach along Harbour Island.

What is your current business strategy for dealing with the situation?

We are continuing to closely monitor the situation and following guidance from the Bahamas Ministry of Health and other government agencies pertaining to the countrys Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19. We have been and will continue to take a day-by-day approach and extend and/or amendemergencyorders as needed.

While we are not encouraging international travel into The Bahamas currently, those looking for inspiration for future travel can visitBahamas.com/WithLoveand use our Island Finder to plan their next trip.

How do you think things will look in your industry a year from now?

We understand that the extraordinary scale and actions required to contain COVID-19 will have an unprecedented impact on all levels of society in countries around the world. While it is hard to say and we do not want to speculate what the travel industry will look like in a year from now, I can say that The Bahamas will continue to offer an exceptional island escape to its visitors when it is safe to do so.

The Cove Resort on Eleuthera.

What have you learned from other difficult times in the past?

The aerial cays of the Bahamas.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the resilience of the Bahamian people shone through and will do the same again. We understand that the general public are looking for transparency during this difficult time and we are providing that with regular updates from the Ministry of Tourism representatives as well as directing people to the appropriate health and government organizations that are most equipped to respond to particular inquiries.

Morning routine?Work traditionally begins at 9am,and inevitably I have a conference call either with my team or external partnersat 10am. The advantage is that I can go outside and sit on a verandah to take some of my morning calls and enjoy a cup of coffee while observing the return of the wildlife to my neighborhood. This has been wonderful and has given me a new appreciation for nature.

Currently binging?I got to watch my first Netflix show two weekends ago after making a conscious decision to do so. I have since watched two series that I would never have watched, and which are complete extremes:UnorthodoxandCaliphate. The former provided a view of an ultra-orthodox Jewish community, and the latter was a thriller that just draws you in. Given the intensity of these programs,I had to go back to HGTV to come back to reality! And most recently,Becoming. It was truly inspiring.

Currently reading?Reading is important to me and so I will always have a book at hand. Its been good to catch up on some of the books that I have wanted to read:EducatebyTara Westover,Before We Were YoursandAn American Marriage,most recently.

What are you doing to spend quality time with those youre sheltering with?Its been very good just spending time together and making it work. There are three in my home at this time,and we all have carved out our space to work from.I have found myself getting excited about cooking,(It gives me a legitimate excuse to procrastinate from work) and so cooking and sharing a meal with the family has been priceless. Unfortunately, no one else is interested in my TV shows and so I have had to watch those alone. But we are all news buffs and will watch the news and discuss whats happening in all the countries where we have a connection.

What are you doing to stay healthy mentally and physically?I take time to walk most days which has been really good. On many occasions,my husband has joined me on an evening walk, whichhas allowed for the opportunity to really pause and reflect.

Where are you dreaming of visiting once things are back to normal?We are definitely considering traveling when this pandemic isoverand it is safe to do so. Our first trip,however, will be to one of the other Islands of The Bahamas for a beautiful beach and laid-back break. It is difficult to decide which island in The BahamasEleuthera, Exuma, Long Islandbut I will take any at this time. They are all spectacularly beautiful and offer something unique. It is what keeps me motivated,and I just cant wait!I have a new sense of appreciation for my country and the wonderful travel opportunities it provides.

Originally posted here:

Joy Jibrilu: From Working with Lenny Kravitz to Virtual Visits, the Creative Ways the Bahamas Director of Tourism is Keeping the Region Top of Mind...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS An American couple isolating on their sailboat in the Ragged Island chain confirmed today that they legally cleared Bahamas Customs and Immigration before entering Bahamian waters.

Captain Brian Trautman and his wife Karin, who host a sailing travel vlog, were featured in a BBC World Service report yesterday which quickly made its way around Bahamian social media yesterday.

The story was widely received by Bahamians with outrage many of whomquestioned whether the couple was in Bahamian waters legally and whether they were poaching from the waters given footage showing them catching crawfish.

In an interview with Eyewitness Newstoday, Trautman insisted that these misconceptions were not true.

We did in fact legally clear into the Bahamas through Customs and Immigration and were provided a cruising permit for our boat and fishing permit, as well as paid all our fees required for checking in, he said.

Since the lockdown order came into place we have observed the notices by sheltering in place.

We are very passionate about conservation and following the laws and guidelines set out by The Bahamas government, and go out of our way to support marine conservation initiatives.

He further explained that the content for their videos is filmed weeks in advance,so the footage shown during the interview was filmed in February and March prior to the lobster season-ending.

Trautman noted that it isunderstandable how easy it is to mistake that everything filmed is current, however, he sought to assure that they are not breaking or flaunting The Bahamas rules while the rest of the country is on lockdown.

He said the negative backlash received from the story has been something new for them, given that they always try to portray a positive image of the people they meet and the places they visit.

The couple has been sailing from country to country on board the SV Delosfor more than 10 years, exploring the worlds oceans.

Trautman also expressed thanks for the support they have received from Bahamians in Duncan Town, who have made them feel very welcomed and safe, and have also helped to arrange the delivery of supplies from the mail boat.

When Eyewitness News reached out to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force yesterday, a spokesperson advised that they were looking into reports of the couples isolation in Bahamian waters.

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Sailing vloggers defend isolation in Bahamian waters - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Petroleum Company has announced December 15 as the new date for the start its exploratory oil drilling in The Bahamas.

BPC received formal notification from the government in February to proceed with plans to drill exploratory oil wells before the end of 2020.

The company has four licenses in the territorial waters of The Bahamas, which was extended until 31 December 2020.

In March 2020, we were within weeks of commencing the drilling of our Perseverance #1 exploration well when we were compelled to defer due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said BPC CEO Simon Potter in a statement.

Immediately, we undertook a range of activities necessary to reschedule activity toward the end of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021, consistent with our license obligations (as extended for the declared force majeure event), by which time we expect the worst of the broad suite of impacts of the pandemic to be behind us.

To this end we are have entered into a rig contract with Stena Drilling, which provides a firm series of parameters on rig rate, provision of mobilisation and demobilisation costs, and defines a revised drilling window of 15 December 2020 to 1 February 2021.

BPC was initially granted the license for exploratory oil drilling in 2007 and subsequently got two renewals under the Christie administration.

The government currently maintains that itwas legally obligated to extend that license.

BPC now estimates the total cost of Perseverance #1 to be in the range of $21 million to $25 million a material reduction from the most recent prior comparable estimate.

In addition, the company continues to assess there to be up to $5 million in potential operating contingency costs, and has scoped up to $5 million of provisional costs for additional formation evaluation work that the company could elect to incur in a success case.

BPC has noted however that theextent to which these contingent elements are utilised will not be known until closer to or during drilling operations, and decisions in relation to incurring those items will be based on capital availability at that time.

A group of US representatives have also expressed their opposition to BPCs oil exploration efforts and have seeking to dissuade the Bahamian government from authorizing exploratory drilling.

Key concerns were penned in an April 17th letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo andStephanie Bowers the Charg dAffaires at the US Embassy in Nassau by Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell along with several other representatives.

The local and international environmental community have also called on the government to respond to the Congress members letter promptly and to immediately revoke the exploratory license granted to BPC.

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BPC sets new date for oil exploration in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has moved the country into Phase 3 of its plan to re-open the economy, reducing curfew hours and relaxing restrictions on several sectors.

The 24-hour curfew will be lifted effective next Tuesday across the country, allowing free roam for residents between 5am and 9pm. However, weekend lockdown will continue on Fridays at 9pm to Mondays at 5am.

During the lockdown, residents may exercise in their immediate neighborhood between 5am and 9pm.

This upcoming weekend will include the Whit Monday holiday and the Labour Day Holiday.

In Phase 3, non-essential storefront business operations with essential staff may reopen, though they must post protocols and train their employees as to those protocols.

Stores must limit the number of customers based in stores and manage lines outside of storefronts with markers and security staff.

Minnis said churches will be allowed to resume in-sanctuary services on Saturdays and Sundays on June 6.

According to the governments phased plan, education operations, including national examination based on appropriate social distancing and masks.

The prime minister said he expects the education minister to make an announcement concerning the BGCSE examinations so as not to disadvantage students.

Law firms, justice of the peace and real estate agencies, financial services, including accounting services may operate between 9am and 5pm.

Retailers, including suppliers of cleaning mechanicals, fabric stores, auto part stores and mechanics, may operate between 7am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Effective June 2, public beaches and parks will be opened on all islands except Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island, New Providence, Paradise Island and San Salvador.

At that time, commencement of graduation ceremonies, funerals and weddings, in groups of no more than 30, can be convened with the approval of the competent authority.

Minnis said the public must act responsibly and continue to follow the advise and recommendations from health professionals.

International travel remains restricted to nationals returning home with strict protocols, he said.

He said: If we dont, again unnecessary lives will be lost.

Minnis said without moving into the new norm, the entire economy can be destroyed and rather that losing a few jobs, we can lose all

We are living in a new normal in which we must continue to practice.

He said before relaxing measures further, a risk assessment must be performed to explore the risk of opening of further; the ability of the public healthcare system to rapidly detect a resurgence of cases and absorb the load, as well as its ability provide medical care.

The prime minister said social distancing and hygiene measures undertaken in The Bahamas has not only limited the spread, but saved lives.

As of today, there were 100 confirmed cases of the virus, of which 43 were active.

There have been 78 cases in New Providence, 13 in Bimini, eight in Grand Bahama, and one in Cat Cay. The last confirmed case was on May 23. Six patients remain hospitalized.

The rate of cases demonstrates a flattening of the curve. There remain no specific therapeutics or vaccines for the virus.

He said as the country moves to reopen domestically and internationally, the public must remember the pandemic is ongoing, and all precautionary measures must be taken.

He said those who feel ill, must follow protocols to seek medical attention and call in advance of visiting a healthcare facility.

He said a mask must be worn, and residents should continue to reframe from handshaking and touching their faces.

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PHASE 3: Churches, gaming houses, and some island beaches open - EyeWitness News