Bahamas tourism & aviation ministry issues statement on COVID-19

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is following guidance from the Bahamas Ministry of Health and other government agencies pertaining to the country’s Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19.

Please visit the Bahamas Ministry of Health’s website for the latest information on COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas. Current and future patients are to be isolated in quarantine following the ­guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further to the Emergency Order, “Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2020,” announced by Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, the Nassau Airport Development Company has closed the Lynden Pindling International Airport to all flights, as of Friday, March 27. The public is further advised that, effective March 27, all airports throughout the entire Bahamas were closed to all air traffic, with the expectation of reopening yesterday, Tuesday, March 31.

Preventative restrictions are being enforced to prevent further spread of COVID-19, including:

n No visitor shall be permitted to enter and disembark for any ­reason including transiting through The Bahamas.

n All airports throughout the ­entire Bahamas, including private airports and fixed-base ­operations (FBOs), shall be closed to all flights.

n All seaports shall be closed to regional and international ­seafaring and private boating.

n Air and sea restrictions do not apply to: cargo flights or cargo ships, commercial courier flights, emergency medical flights or emergency flights approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

n All international visitors ­currently in The Bahamas should be prepared to stay for an ­indefinite period of time.

n No person shall offer for hire or seek to travel on any mail boat, sailing inter island, except for transport of freight; or inter island private commercial sea transport.

n All residents will be placed on a 24-hour curfew and are to remain at home to avoid contact outside of their family, except for those who have been deemed essential workers, or have special permission from the commissioner of police.

n Residents can leave their homes for essential travel to the doctor, grocery store, bank, pharmacy or to refuel; as well as for outside ­exercise, not exceeding an hour and a half per day between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., provided that the exercise is conducted in one’s yard or one’s immediate neighbourhood and no person shall drive to any place to exercise.

n Proper social-distancing guidelines of at least six feet (6 feet) must be followed at all times while outside the home.

n All public beaches, markets and docks will be closed, and no vehicles are permitted on any public or private roads for any purpose other than stated above.

Full details of this order and the previous Emergency Order may be found at opmbahamas.com.