Last Updated on March 21, 2020, 9:00 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation of The Bahamas has issued a statement saying that the Ministry is obeying directions from the Bahamas Ministry of Health and also other Government agencies regarding the country’s Preparedness and Response Plan against coronavirus COVID-19.
The Bahamas has four confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nassau.
All the patients have been kept in quarantine adhering to the guidelines laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Hubert Minnis had announced the increased preventative measures and protocol to minimize the potential spread of the novel coronavirus.
These measures include quarantine measures and new border control measures for persons who are travelling from infected areas.
In addition to these, a curfew has been imposed that lasts each night from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
As a result of the growing public health concerns and for the protection of the health and well-being of the people of The Bahamas, extended travel restrictions had also been introduced.
If any foreign national or foreign individual has travelled from the United Kingdom, other countries in Europe and Ireland within the last 20 days, they will be denied from entering The Bahamas.
This restriction has been imposed in addition to restrictions which had already been placed for China, Italy, Iran and South Korea.
This list of restricted travel countries will be updated as necessary and would be continuously monitored.
The Bahamas is conducting tests for COVID-19 and is exercising numerous measures used globally to screen the residents and the visitors to manage the response to individuals of concern, as per the international health practices.
A screening protocol and Traveller health questionnaires are being used at hotels, rental properties and ports to recognize the guests who may need surveillance or treatment.
In addition to all the measures mentioned above, all Bahamian nationals and residents who would be returning to The Bahamas through any point of entry to the country would be subjected to quarantine or self-isolation if they travel from any of the countries which are on the restricted list or an area where there is a community infection and spread of the novel coronavirus.
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.
