Last Updated on July 16, 2020, 8:36 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Bahamian Minister of National Security, Marvin Dames, said yesterday that the Bahamas government is concerned regarding the threat of the undocumented migrants who are infected with COVID-19, illegally entering The Bahamas. Dames said that the defence force had increased its presence in the southern Bahamas as well as the other key entry points of the country.
Two new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus were confirmed on last Wednesday on the Grand Bahama which were of a Grand Bahamian woman and a 20-year-old undocumented migrant.
It is reported that the undocumented migrant was a Haitian national, who had been living in Eight Mile Rock since March.
Dames said that it is something that they are aware of.
He said that they understand that The Bahamas has a very porous border. The country is an archipelago which is stretched over around 100,000 square miles of sea, and so they are on high alert.
He added that he visited with the commodore not too long ago and he had a very good briefing. The defence forces have their presence out in the southern Bahamas and the critical entry points into the country’s borders.
He continued that they are not only concerned about Haiti, but they are also worried about all the countries. They’re concerned about every citizen, every foreign person who is coming into the country. They have placed measures in place to ensure there is no illegal entry into the country.
Haiti has experienced a large scale outbreak of cases of coronavirus and had over 13 deaths over a period of two days.
The total number of deaths was last reported to be 139, and there have been around 7,000 cases since March 19.
Pressed on the threat of imported cases from the undocumented and illegal migrants, Dames said that he is certain as he said before, they would look at that as they have been looking at every incident before it.
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.
