Category Archives: Bahamas

The Bahamas officially reopened to the public with a handful of new coronavirus guidelines.

When you pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, make sure you have your mask ready as well.

Phase 2 allows for international travel. Earlier this month, the country allowed international boaters, yachters and private aviation as part of Phase 1.

Bring your COVID-19 test: If you plan on visiting the Bahamas, you must present a negative COVID-19 swab test upon arrival. The results must be no more than seven days old.

Youll need a health visa: Travelers will be required to complete an electronic health visa prior to departure and present proof of confirmation at their destination.

Temperature checks: At airports and seaports, all visitors will undergo temperature checks conducted by health care personnel. Any travelers who show COVID-19 symptoms will be transferred to a separate area for further testing and evaluation.

Masks are required: Visitors will be required to wear face masks in any situation where it is necessary to enforce physical distancing guidelines. In addition to airports and sea terminals, travelers must wear masks in taxis, while checking in at hotels, standing in line at attractions and before being seated at restaurants. Failure to comply with the countrys mask guidelines could result in a $200 fine or one month imprisonment.

Flights resume: JetBlue has resumed daily service between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Nassau, while American Airlines has resumed flights twice a day between Miami and Nassau.

Curfew in effect: The Bahamas will continue its mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., so travelers must return to their housing accommodations during that time. Visitors will be allowed to move freely throughout their hotel and resort properties during curfew.

What about Atlantis: One of the most popular hotels, Atlantis has resumed operations. While the casino slot machines will be open 24/7, table games and sports betting will have revised hours.

Later phases: Beginning Monday, the Bahamas will enter Phase 3 of its reopening, which allows for attractions, excursions and tours to resume. Phase 4, which begins July 27, will allow vendors and jet ski operators to reopen.

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What to know before heading to the Bahamas - Boston Herald

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday the government remains concerned about the threat of undocumented migrants infected with COVID-19 entering The Bahamas illegally.

Dames, who was responding to questions from Eyewitness News, said the defense force has increased its presence in the southern Bahamas and other key entry points.

Last Wednesday, two new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Grand Bahama a 20-year-old undocumented migrant and a Grand Bahamian woman.

Eyewitness Newsunderstands the undocumented migrant is a Haitian national, who had been living in Eight Mile Rock since March.

Its something that we are aware of, Dames said.

Every week as a Cabinet we discuss the COVID problem at length.

I think you can see the result of that to date so far. We have been one of those countries throughout the world that have actually been leading in our preventive measures to fight against this pandemic.

He continued: We understand ours is a very porous border. Were an archipelago stretched over some 100,000 square miles of sea and so were on heightened alert.

I just visited with the commodore not too long ago and then had a very good briefing. We have our presence out in the southern Bahamas and those key entry points into our borders. Were not only concerned about [Haiti], were concerned about every country. Were concerned about every citizen, every foreign person coming into this country. We have to ensure and we have put measures in place.

Haiti, which the Pan American Health Organization labeled a humanitarian crisis in relation to the pandemic, has become a COVID-19 hotspot in the Caribbean.

The Bahamas southern neighbor has experienced a large scale outbreak of cases and had more than 13 deaths over a two-day period.

The total death toll was last reported at 139 and there have been nearly 7,000 cases since March 19.

Pressed on the threat of imported cases from undocumented migrants, Dames said: I am certain as I said before, we will look at that as we have been looking at every incident prior to it.

We keep updated charts on trends and whats happening, and how things are happening and what we can do to mitigate and to address, and focus on the issues because at the end of the day we want a nation thats safe from this very, very devastating virus.

We cant afford it to overrun our communities. We cant afford it to inundate our hospitals.

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Defense Force increases presence in southern Bahamas - EyeWitness News

Update #88

NASSAU, Bahamas, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that travelers must complete a Bahamas Health Visa application and present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test with a sample taken within ten (10) days of arrival.

Effective immediately, all travelers will be required to complete an electronic Bahamas Health Visa application before departure from the place of embarkation. This can be found at travel.gov.bs. Travelers are required to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test and provide contact information.

The Government of The Bahamas will accept the negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test if the sample was taken within (10) ten days of arrival. Tests over ten (10) days old will not be accepted.

An automated response will be provided once the application is completed. The only persons approved to travel are those who have received a green color-coded response, as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas. The Health Visa application process will take twenty-four to forty-eight (24-48) hours and should be completed with adequate lead time.

Failure to comply with the stated requirements will result in denied entry. It is recommended that all travelers interested in visiting The Bahamas review requirements applicable to each member of their traveling party at http://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates before booking a trip.

For more information, or to view the Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan, please visit http://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates. You may also contact the Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 travel hotline at (242) 502-0829 Monday to Friday, 8 AM 6 PM, or email at [emailprotected].

PRESS INQUIRIESAnita Johnson-PattyBahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation[emailprotected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation

http://www.bahamas.com

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Government of The Bahamas - Ministry of Health Testing Protocol for Incoming Visitors - PRNewswire

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Top 10 Islands in the Caribbean and the Bahamas - KCTV Kansas City

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Bahamas-based contractor yesterday argued that this nation should re-examine introducing an investor citizenship initiative to help counter COVID-19s negative impact.

Costa Berdanis, Tarcon Constructions president, told Tribune Business that such a scheme would expand the benefits of foreign direct investment (FDI) beyond the real estate sector that is the direct focus of the permanent residency programme.

I think citizenship by investment is one of the things we can do to get some revenue coming in here, he explained. The thing is it is not like we cant put a limit to the number of how many we can invite to do so, and we can screen who we want.

We have an attractive system here. We have a good banking system that a lot of Caribbean countries dont have, which is first world banking, and a lot of people are more attracted to come here.

Mr Berdanis continued: Right now we have a residency programme for $750,000 that is solely linked to real estate, so the benefit doesnt really trickle down to everybody.

If you had a citizenship programme to rebuild the country, a person would come in and make a donation. Out of that $750,000, lets say $300,000 went to rebuild schools and roads, and the other $450,000 went to helping combat the coronavirus, help the National Insurance Board and some of the national issues - all of the things that would benefit the majority of the people rather than the minority.

I think this is a viable thing, but I know the United States doesnt like us selling our citizenship. But, at the end of the day, we have to take care of ourselves here and it is a thing that people want and we can limit it.

So-called Investor Citizenship initiatives have been mulled and floated in the past, most recently by Sean McWeeney QC, a former attorney general and key advisor to ex-premier Perry Christie. The idea was ruled out, though, by both that administration and the current government, with ex-financial services minister, Brent Symonette, placing the focus on speeding up permanent residency applications.

Investor Citizenship would grant citizenship to a limited group of individuals, once they met certain criteria, including a high multi-million dollar investment threshold. Those qualifying would have to invest in Bahamas-based developments and companies that created local jobs, with the initiative targeted at a small group of billionaires and multi-millionaires with the resources to move the economy.

The programme would essentially be targeted at the worlds wealthiest individuals, meaning the likes of Joe Lewis and the Izmirlian families. The billionaires, both of whom reside at Lyford Cay, have ultimately invested billions in the domestic economy, and created thousands of local jobs, via Albany and Baha Mar respectively (notwithstanding subsequent events at the latter).

Investor citizenship programmes have been adopted by countries such as Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Malta, the Netherlands, the UK and Spain, either allowing direct citizenship by investment or offering routes to citizenship for wealthy investors.

Concerns have been raised, however, over the transparency and accountability surrounding such programmes, which have also drawn the attention of regulators and law enforcement agencies in nations such as the US on the grounds that citizenship is being bought.

However, Mr Berdanis added: I have a lawyer friend right now in Canada who has millions of dollars from persons bundled up that just want to get residency, and they dont want residency for criminal reasons.

Lets say that these people are right now in Hong Kong, and they may be worth up to $3m or more. They want to have a back-up plan if China further puts a clamp down on them. I know there are a few groups that are pushing the Government on this citizenship by investment initiative, as there are a few Canadian firms that are inquiring and I think a couple of law firms are.

Mr Berdanis added: From the immigration aspect, we can benefit from it greatly. Portugal is benefiting, and a friend of mine has built 16 high-rise hotels for people that are making investments. Once they get a group like Hyatt or the Marriott, they would have the management to give these hotel brands a return, and those folks dont even occupy those places as they just get their residency. If they need a place they can go to have an escape, they have it.

Mr Beranis ultimately said he doesnt see a downside to it here, adding that the Government can always experiment with the initiative. He added that The Bahamas dont have to go huge, but if you give out 1,000 citizenship by investment certificates you can spread it out among all of the lawyers so they can equally have the business.

We have so many undeveloped islands that we can do private residency on if you are concerned about these people living amongst us on New Providence. Diversification has always been a good thing. We have so many empty islands that we can experiment with but they just dont touch them.

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Bahamas urged to re-examine 'citizen investors' - Bahamas Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

SO God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Genesis 1 v27 NIV translation.

The season of Independence gives us many reasons to think about the meaning of citizenship. I join others, in standing proud, when I think of the historic and progressive strides made by Bahamians. These progressive strides do not extend to the provisions of the Bahamas Constitution, that in the grant of citizenship, still discriminate against women. In so doing, The Bahamas is a bird flying with one wing one that cannot achieve full flight, nor its full potential.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Bahamian married women who do not live and work in The Bahamas, because their husbands cannot get a job or cannot become citizens of The Bahamas. Marriages have broken up because of the stress that this discrimination places on families. We all know of families where one child in a family is a Bahamian, because he was born in The Bahamas (lets call him Sam) and another child (lets call him John), in the same family, of the same parents, is not Bahamian, because he was born in the United States. Maybe John was born there when his married Bahamian mother (lets call her Sue) was studying or while Sue was receiving medical attention.

If Sues married Bahamian brother (lets call him Mike) has children abroad, Mikes children are entitled to be registered as Bahamian citizens. Why should Mikes children be treated differently from Sues children? Why should Sam and not John be Bahamian? Both have the same parents. This discrimination causes stress and hardship in families. These unjust discriminatory provisions destroy family life. If we support family life, how can we allow this injustice to continue?

The Bahamas has held two referenda to remove this discrimination from our Constitution. Both referenda were defeated by citizens. Bahamians voted to uphold these discriminatory provisions of our Constitution. Books can be written about why this happened.

So what can we do? Our national response to COVID-19 has demonstrated that, when necessary, we can act immediately and cause beneficial transformation.

I endorse the suggestions of others who have stated that the government should table in Parliament, the legislation, now in circulation, that would, by law, allow for the following persons to obtain Bahamian citizenship: a husband of a Bahamian woman; a child, born abroad, to a married Bahamian woman; and, a child of a single Bahamian man. Even though the law would not remove the discriminatory provisions of the Constitution, it would remove the hardships that too many families now suffer. To those who say that a new government might bring forth laws to revoke these provisions, I say that, in my view, withdrawing these empowering laws would be highly unlikely. Lets see all members of Parliament united in promoting strong family life by removing this injustice and discrimination.

If, as in 1973, we want the world to mark the manner of our 21st century bearing, justice dictates that Bahamian women and men should have equal entitlement to citizenship for their children and spouses. We need Bahamian women and men, both created in Gods image, at the table, as equals. All Bahamians have an interest in nation building and good governance as we march forward, upward and onward together.

Standing on the shoulders of the noble and courageous suffragettes, like my grandmother, Georgiana K Symonette, Eugenia Lockhart, Mary Ingraham, Dame Bertha Isaacs, Dame Doris Johnson and others of their generation, let us urge the government to table in Parliament the legislation mentioned above. It is time to stop institutionalised destruction of family life. The time is now, for the government to take the just, progressive and bold step of tabling and passing that legislation. I commit my support. Do you?

ALLYSON MAYNARD-GIBSON

Nassau,

July 14, 2020.

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Time to stop this unjust destruction of Bahamas family life - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Health officials have confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bahama, taking the total number of cases to 113.

This follows an announcement from Pizza Hut Freeport, which advised today that a team member from its Mall location has tested positive for COVID-19.

Grand Bahama has seen a spike in new cases with eight cases in six days.

On Wednesday, health officials confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 on Grand Bahama after there had been no cases on the island for more than 60 days.

The pair confirmed on Wednesday were the first cases for the country in more than three weeks.

The Pizza Hut employee is currently in quarantine and receiving treatment as needed, the company said in a statement.

All employees exposed to the team member have been identified by the Ministry of Health and are in self-isolation, the statement read.

The health and well being of our team members and customers is our number one priority, especially in these uncertain times.

The restaurant was temporarily closed for sanitization and is expected to reopen on Wednesday.

There have been 16 confirmed cases in Grand Bahama, 83 in New Providence, one in Cat Cay, and 13 on Bimini.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health also advised that its dashboard has been updated to include a tab for non-COVID related deaths.

There were two individuals who were previously confirmed to have COVID-19 who passed away, the statement read.

A review was completed with local and international personnel who confirmed that the deaths were not due to COVID-19.

Therefore, the dashboard will now feature the tab Non-COVID Related Deaths to classify a patient that was diagnosed with COVID-19, but the cause of death was not due to COVID-19.

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Two new COVID-19 cases in Grand Bahama - EyeWitness News

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#NASSAU, The Bahamas July 15, 2020 Wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Patricia Minnis has thrown her support behind the launch of a sewing programme under the Over-the-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative, aimed at economic empowerment of residents.

The programme, which provides free sewing classes, waslaunched on Monday, July 13, 2020 at the Urban Renewal Centerville centre, Deveaux Street. Also present were Minister of Social Servicesand Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell; Samita Ferguson, ExecutiveManager, Over-the-Hill Unit, Office of the Prime Minister; and Kemie Jones, ProjectManager, Over-the Hill Unit, Office of the Prime Minister.

Mrs. Minnis,in her official function, Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister,underscored the importance of the programme and other such initiatives.

She announced that July 20-24, 2020 her office will hold foodprocessing classes for women and girls to empower them to make a living.

Mrs. Minnis also envisioned plans to duplicate theseinitiatives throughout the Family Islands.

So we are swapping, switching and looking at various thingsthat happen in this, Over-the-Hill community to carry to other communitiesespecially in the Family Islands. They would love to see the sewing machines aswell as the food processing classes going to all our Family Islands, she said.

The Over-the-Hill Community Development PartnershipInitiative donated the 10 sewing machines to two Urban Renewal Centres Centreville and Bain & Grants Town as part of the launch of a suite oftechnical and vocational programmes in the inner city. These programmes are designed to attractresidents who are unemployed or with low incomes to entrepreneurship andapprenticeship. Residents are encouragedto contact Urban Renewal Centres to apply.

Another objective of the sewing programme is to providemale/female residents with opportunities to explore other entrepreneurial pathsto earn a primary or second stream of income and thus reduce poverty inequalitylevels and potentially reduce crime.

The key stakeholders are the Over-the-Hill Unit in theOffice of the Prime Minister, Urban Renewal, Department of Inland Revenue andthe Small Business Development Centre.

The sewing programme is part of components of theOver-The-Hill Community Development Partnership Initiative launched by thePrime Minister in May 2018.

The Initiative is built around six key pillarsdesigned to fully restore the Over-the-Hill community communities. Thepillars are:

Social Empowerment

Economic Empowerment

Rejuvenation

Smart Technology

Green and SustainableTechnology

Programmes for the Youth and the Elderly

BIS Press Release by Lindsay Thompson

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Wife of The Bahamas Prime Minister Supports Sewing Classes in Over-the-Hill Community - Magnetic Media

Monday, July 13, 2020

NASSAU The Bahamas has updated its entry requirements for travellers to include a mandatory Bahamas Health Visa application as well as a negative COVID-19 test result within 10 days of arrival.

Effective immediately, all travellers will be required to complete the electronic application at travel.gov.bs prior to departure from their place of embarkation, and upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test plus provide contact information.

The Government of The Bahamas will accept the negative COVID-19 RT-PRC (swab) test if the same was taken within 10 days of arrival. Tests over 10 days old will not be accepted.

An automated response will be provided once the application is completed. The only people approved to travel are those who have received a green colour-coded responses as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.

Children under two years old are not required to have the test. Children between 3-10 must take a test unless proof is presented upon arrival that their state/county does not administer tests for children in this age range.

As of now, quarantines are not required for those entering The Bahamas.

The Health Visa application process will take 24-48 hours and should be completed with adequate lead time.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in denied entry.

The Bahamas is the latest Caribbean destination to require a negative COVID-19 test result prior to entry. Saint Lucia and Antigua made similar announcements within the past week.

The Bahamas began its gradual reopening of its tourism sector on July 1 with the resumption of both international and domestic air traffic. For a complete list of health and safety requirements go to http://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates.

For reopening updates from other destinations go to https://www.travelweek.ca/news/destinations-reopening-list/.

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Bahamas latest island to require negative COVID test for entry - Travelweek

The Ministry of Health confirmed on Saturday that there are three new cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bahama.

The new cases are:

A 16-year-old girl with a history a travel.

A 47-year-old woman with no history of travel

A 39-year-old woman with a history of travel.

All three are in isolation at home.

The total number of cases now stands at 111 with 11 of those active.

Health officials are reminding the public to practice the following measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Wear a face mask when you leave home;

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and waterare not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol;

Cover your cough or sneeze in your inner elbow or with a tissue; and

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as phones, remotes controls, counters,doorknobs, and keyboards.

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Three new cases of COVID-19 on Grand Bahama - Bahamas Tribune