Last Updated on March 17, 2020, 5:51 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Bahamas has extended its restricted travel list.
The country’s Ministry of Health is working jointly with all appropriate government agencies throughout the country to ease the execution of the Bahamas National Preparedness and Response Plan for coronavirus COVID-19.
To this time, there is one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nassau, The Bahamas.
The patient has been kept in isolated quarantine following the guidelines laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Ministry of Health is currently leading full contact analysis, and more details will be shared as they become available.
The Ministry of Health is encouraging preventative protocols and measures to reduce the potential spread of the virus. Also, The Bahamas has implemented new border control and quarantine measures for persons travelling from highly infected countries.
Keeping in mind, the growing public health concern and to protect the health and well-being of the population of The Bahamas, expanded travel restrictions would be introduced.
Uk, Ireland and the remaining parts of Europe have been added to the restricted travel list.
Any foreign nationals or foreign individuals who have travelled from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe during the last 20 days will not be given entry into The Bahamas.
This travel restriction would be in addition to the travel restrictions already in place for China, Italy, South Korea and Iran.
This list of restricted countries will be continuously monitored and updated as necessary.
The Bahamas is conducting COVID-19 tests and is continuously employing measures that are used globally to screen visitors and residents.
Traveller health surveys and a screening protocol are being used at ports, hotels and rental properties to identify the guests who may require monitoring or treatment.
Also, all Bahamian nationals and residents returning to The Bahamas from any point of entry from any of the restricted countries or any area where the community infection and spread of the COVID-19 are present will be placed under self-isolation or be quarantined upon their arrival, and they are expected to follow the protocols outlined by the Ministry of Health.
An education campaign is underway all across The Bahamas to remind the public of the basic hygiene practices that may be used to prevent the spread of the virus including frequent, proper handwashing, use of hand sanitizers, regular disinfection of surfaces and avoiding close contact with those people who are exhibiting signs of the virus.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
