Bahamas News

Bahamas Prime Minister: “We are in a surge”

Published

4 years ago

April 2, 2020

FULL STATEMENT from April 1, 2020 National Update:

I wanted to provide an update on where we are today in our ongoing battle against the health and economic challenges posed by COVID-19. As expected, we are in a surge.

There is community spread. I want to announce that there are six new cases.

This means that as of today, April 1st, 2020, there are 21 COVID-19 positive cases identified: 18 on New Providence and three on Grand Bahama.

The six new cases are all on New Providence. One of the new cases has a link to Grand Bahama. There are 1,500 diagnostic test kits in-country.

Aggressive contact tracing continues. Health officials are following cases day by-day. Through GIS mapping we have identified hotspots on New Providence and we have undertaken GIS mapping on Grand Bahama to identify hotspots there. We will be vigorously stepping-up enforcement of the curfew in hot spots.

This situation is constantly changing and evolving. So, we have to adapt and to act quickly and decisively.

The information we give the public will also change and develop. We are working hard to give the public

and the media the timeliest and most accurate information possible.

I want to address this afternoon the death of an individual who was transported from Bimini to New Providence.

First, I want to offer condolences to the family of the deceased, including to the Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, Elsworth Johnson.

We know that this is a very painful time for the family. The Minister of Health and other health officials have spoken publicly on the matter.

The COVID-19 test came back positive. The family has been informed. Contact tracing has begun.

We pray for the deceased and the individual’s family members during this very difficult time.

Let me speak to the difficult and challenging issue of community spread.

Our best weapon in this battle remains physical distancing and Bahamians and residents staying at home. I want to thank all of those who are following the various regulations and guidelines.

You are saving lives and you are protecting your health and the health of others. The Royal Bahamas Police Force continues to enforce the regulations. Those who fail to follow the Orders and regulations are risking their health and the health of others.

They are distracting the police from other essential duties and they may be prosecuted for failing to abide by the regulations, which are designed to save lives.

I want to speak very directly to all Family Island residents today.

The Orders and regulations we put in place apply to all of The Bahamas.

I am asking Family Island residents to stay at home except for the exemptions within the Orders.

Please do not go wandering from settlement to settlement visiting friends and family.

We have to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19 on every island and cay.

Except for emergency personnel, there is to be no domestic travel within the country by plane or boat.

Those who do not abide by this may place other islands and cays and Bahamians in danger. They also risk prosecution. No resident of New Providence or Grand Bahama should travel to any Family Island or Cay.

Likewise, no one from the Family Islands or cays should travel to another island or cay, including New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Our greatest tool in the fight against this virus is following the public health advice to

be physically distant from one another. There is no vaccine for this virus as yet.

There is no cure.

The life in our Family Islands is very communal. We live close together. We visit each

other. We share common struggles and take care of each other. But, during this crisis Family Islanders

must make changes. Only go out to purchase necessities.

Only go out if you are an essential services worker. Do not assume that it is not in your community because no one has tested positive yet.

Every Bahamian and resident in every Family Island must take the same aggressive distancing measures being taken in the more populated islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Our advice and the emergency order are for the whole Bahamas. Family Islanders, as your Prime Minister I need you to comply with these Orders. I do not want outbreaks in our beautiful island communities.

It is largely up to you to determine what happens in your communities.

As much as possible, stay at home!

We are all at risk from COVID-19 no matter our age, what neighborhood we are in or what island we are on. This deadly and dangerous virus that discriminates against no one; including young people.

Stay at home! Stay at home!

We are in daily contact with the Family Islands to assess the situation on the ground.

Let me talk about our medical and health care professionals who are putting themselves at risk to save our lives and to help the sick to recover.

Every medical professional available is being called in to help. On the frontlines of our citizen army

fighting COVID-19 are doctors, nurses, medical technologists, hospital and clinic workers and others.

Let me be very clear and to the point, so far more than 50 healthcare workers have

had to be taken out of the system because of exposure to the virus.

On behalf of all of us, I thank every health care workers throughout our country. I know firsthand what they are going through.

I understand the stress and the anxiety. But I want them to know that we will win this battle and that we are getting them every resource possible to win this fight.

I am extremely proud and grateful to my medical colleagues who are working around the clock and under tremendous pressure. I also have two children who are medical doctors and who are on the frontline.

Let me say this to my colleagues and to the Bahamian people, I will do everything in my power to protect the health and lives of our health care professionals and workers.

Every health care professional fighting COVID-19 and protecting our general healthcare a part of the flesh and blood of our community. As Prime Minister, as a medical doctor, and as a father, it is my solemn duty to protect the flesh and blood and the well-being of our health care heroes.

They must be protected for their own sake and for ours. We are working to balance COVID-19 care with regular healthcare.

Toward this end, I wish to announce an Amendment of Order 5 of S. I. No. 27 of 2020. EMERGENCY POWERS (COVID 19) REGULATIONS, 2020 EMERGENCY POWERS (COVID 19) (NO. 2) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) ORDER, 2020

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020, HEREBY make the following Order- Subparagraph (1) (b) of Order 5 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 2) Order, 2020 is amended by the insertion immediately after the words “medical facilities, of the words – “provided that – (i) All private medical and dental practices shall eliminate all routine

and non-emergency physical encounters with patients, and shall as best as possible provide all routine and non-emergency services using virtual or remote means excluding private renal dialysis facilities; and

(ii) Where physical interaction is a necessity due to a medical emergency there must be strict adherence to physical distancing and hygienic requirements”.

To add to our citizen army and to help free some of our health care professionals for other duties, we are asking for volunteers to help the country in this hour of need.

A Volunteer Hotline is being set up to register individuals who are interested in contributing to this fight against COVID19. We will soon provide more details on this.

I also want to provide an update on various medical facilities.

The Modular Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital will be able to accommodate four additional patients with in a purposed built controlled environment. The facility has positive to negative air flow with 20 air exchanges per hour of fresh air.

The air is filtered throughout. Intake air and exhausted air is filtered and also treated with ultraviolet light irradiation as further protection to ensure viral and bacterial kill. Similarly, the South Beach Clinic is currently being modified in the same way to accommodate 10 patients in order to accommodate a surge.

There are also protocols at the various facilities for the intake of suspect cases. We face two crises.

One is the Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed tens of thousands of lives around the world and that will claim many more. The other is the economic crisis it has caused that will persist after the virus is beaten back.

Joblessness is on the rise across the globe and here at home.

The economic crisis is severe for The Bahamas. Our economy is based on tourism.

The world has closed its borders. We have closed our borders. Countries have had to do this to prevent the spread of a virus that has the potential to kill many people.

With no tourists coming to our shores now and into the foreseeable future, tough times are here and ahead of us. This is one of the greatest challenges to the world economy in most of our lifetimes.

We do not know how long this will last. But we do know that we will overcome this virus.

As we had to assume great authority through the Emergency Powers Act, my Government will have to make major changes to our economy. Tourism, which has carried us so well for so long, is in a state of suspension due to the virus.

When it comes back The Bahamas we must be ready to welcome the world to our shores. However, no one knows when that will be.

As a people we have to be ready to shift how we operate. We have to be ready for generational changes to the economic structure of our commonwealth.

On the crisis assistance front, the Minister of Finance has announced two rounds of relief measures to help those hurt by the virus.

These measures amount to tens of millions of dollars in various types of assistance.

I urge everyone in need to make use of the initiatives that include food assistance, unemployment benefits, loans, and tax credits and deferrals. We will also shortly be making an announcement about rental assistance.

To find ways to stimulate our economy now and in order to create a masterplan to rebuild our economy and to promote our social development, I will convene a high-level group of economic and other experts to provide concrete ideas and plans to the Government of The Bahamas.

This group will help us to help chart the way forward for our national, economic and social recovery.

I will make a further announcement on this in due course.

Even as we fight this health battle, we must be prepared for the economic battle ahead. Let me make some additional announcements. We are working on supermarket schedule to reduce the number of people on lines and in stores. This will be released by the end of the week.

Tonight at 8pm the Ministry of Health will host a Virtual Town Hall focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health, Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities.

The public is invited to participate by sending in their questions via the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page or WhatsApping questions to 828-1265 or call in at 5027382.

This will be the first in a series of Virtual Town Halls that will allow members of the public to ask questions directly to health officials. Let me just say to every Bahamian and resident: Seven months ago Dorian was hitting Abaco, and soon to be over Grand Bahama.

Now, Covid-19 has struck, sending death and devastation around the world. We will only overcome through unity of purpose and God’s guidance and grace.

Let us pray for both.

My life as a doctor and as a surgeon has taught me about the need to maintain a strong head, a strong spirit and strong hands in a crisis.

But I also need your prayers, your help as a part of our citizen army, your ideas for our future and your continued adherence to the emergency orders and regulations on every island in our country.

We will only win these battles together.

From the Office of the Prime Minister, The Bahamas

Related Topics:#bahamasgovernment #coronavirus #covid-19 #covid19 #HubertMinnis

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Bahamas News

Pacesetting Cohort of Eleuthera Residents Graduate from Leading Light Programme

Published

8 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Shanieka

Office of University Relations

22^nd April 2024

Eleuthera, THE BAHAMAS – A pioneering cohort of 43 Eleuthera residents graduated from the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) free Leading Light Programme, sponsored by Disney Cruise Line (DCL) on Friday 19^th April, 2024.

The programme, launched in February 2024 and delivered through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN), offers a series of courses to ensure Eleuthera has a proficient workforce capable of delivering unparalleled hospitality leadership as the island experiences a sharp growth in tourism arrivals. The graduation ceremony was held at the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce Business Hub in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.

The courses focused on tourism and hospitality skills, leadership development and effective communication. They were taught by UB faculty and included guest lecturers such as former Director General of Tourism, Minister of Tourism and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Vincent Vanderpool Wallace and veteran hospitality professor Dr. Lincoln Marshall.

“This programme represents the mission-driven collaboration and skills-building that University of The Bahamas is committed to fostering, supported by an important industry partner like Disney Cruise Line,” noted UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder. “Given the importance of the tourism industry to our nation, we know how vital it is that we continually equip our workforce with diverse expertise to uphold our reputation for excellence in hospitality. We are grateful for this collaboration with Disney Cruise Line which has facilitated programme delivery in Eleuthera, enabling UB to broaden access to much sought-after professional development.”

As training and skills development programming grows across the island of Eleuthera, the Leading Light Programme experience was tailored to be free of charge, accessible and conclude with participants earning a UB certification that signals the high standard of education for which the University is recognized. Students came from all walks of life and traveled from as far away as Hatchet Bay in the North, and Bannerman Town in the South to Rock Sound for classes. Programme participants also received a stipend to defray the cost of commuting and other personal expenses.

Nora Smith, a manager at the picturesque Jack’s Bay Club, yearned to increase her skills.

“I would recommend this programme to anyone because The Bahamas is known as a tourism destination. Taking this course in tourism and hospitality, can help me to go far in dealing with tourists daily in my workplace,” she said.

Graduate Javonne Richards appreciated the comprehensive curriculum and the ease of access to the courses that were offered.

“This programme not only fills a gap in our Eleuthera education offerings, but also equips participants with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in dynamic work environments,” he noted.

Director General of Tourism Mrs. Latia Duncombe, who delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, shared three essential qualities for successful tourism professionals: energy, creativity and a welcoming personality.

“Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are invaluable to creating unique, unforgettable customer experiences,” said Mrs. Duncombe. “While technology such as Artificial Intelligence, also have a role to play, human interaction remains essential.”

Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera the Honourable Clay Sweeting commended the partnership that is supporting community growth.

“I am proud of every Eleutheran who came from near and far to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Minister Sweeting. “As Eleuthera’s economy continues to grow, especially in Central and South Eleuthera, I encourage more corporate partners to invest in the local community in innovative ways, like the University of The Bahamas and Disney Cruise Line have, so that we can continue to strengthen our local communities.”

Two additional cohorts will be offered this year, increasing the pipeline of Eleutherans who are optimally skilled as hospitality and tourism ambassadors. Registration for the summer programme will open on May 17 and the second cycle of courses begins June 17, 2024. Fall programme dates are September 23 through November 29, 2024. To learn more about the Leading Light Programme and how to enroll, please email atynes@eleutherahambercommerce.com.

Bahamas News

Royal Caribbean to open Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in 2025

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Shanieka

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2024

By LINDSAY THOMPSON

Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government entered into a Heads of Agreement with Royal Caribbean International, followed by a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the construction of Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, at an estimated $165 million.

The agreement was signed on Monday, April 22, 2024 during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper, the project will further enhance the tourism product, on the heels of an estimated 9 million visitor arrivals.

He deemed it “an eventful day” with a reliable partner in RCI of more than 50 years with The Bahamas, and the continued confidence that investors have in the tourism product and economy.

He said it is a partnership with “excellence experiences” as he delighted in the fact that there will be more for the 25,000 cruise ship guests in port.

Also on hand for the activities to seal the agreement were Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis; Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Ryan Pinder; Director of Investments Phylicia Woods-Hanna; executives of Royal Caribbean International and Royal Caribbean Group, and other officials.

“With the signing of this Heads of Agreement for the development of the Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, we embark on a $165 million project to further enhance the vitality of our tourism product,” the prime minister said.

Spearheaded by RBC Paradise Island Ltd. and PDI Paradise Ltd., subsidiaries of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the project will galvanize entertainment and recreational offerings for Bahamians and visitors alike.

The master plan for the Royal Beach Club includes pools, cabanas, and Bahamian boutiques, offering an unparalleled on-shore experience for visitors.

“This development will prove to be a monumental step forward for Bahamian inclusion in major tourism projects that will serve as a model for others to emulate,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister then underscored the importance of what the project would mean for Bahamians in the broader scope of things.

An estimated 200 jobs will be created for Bahamians. However, an opportunity is being provided for shared ownership in this development.

It is anticipated that PDI Paradise Ltd. will hold at least 51% of the shares in the Royal Beach Club, with the remaining 49 % shares being allocated to the National Investment Fund for the benefit of Bahamians.

“Through this partnership, we will provide new employment and economic opportunities for this nation. Local businesses will see their share of opportunities as well. There will be Bahamian boutiques creating avenues for small business ownership,” the prime minister said.

The project will also encompass a joint venture with a Bahamian-owned entity for the operation of a water taxi business; it will provide transportation options for guests of the Royal Beach Club, as well as other attractions in Nassau Harbour – enhancing accessibility while creating additional avenues for economic growth within the community.

“Ultimately, this project will largely be run by Bahamians, owned by the Bahamian people, and supported by Bahamian businesses.

“When we talk about the need to ensure that major tourism projects are primarily for the benefit of the Bahamian people, these are the kinds of opportunities that we are talking about,” the prime minister said.

He observed that the Royal Beach Club represents the latest successful chapter in the story of Paradise Island’s growth as a tourism mecca. Initial negotiations for the project began under the previous administration. Royal Club Beach is expected to open in 2025.

“By signing today’s agreement, we add another world-class experience to our tourism offerings. And even more importantly, we take a bold step toward greater Bahamian empowerment in the tourism industry. This is our nation, and we must ensure that, first and foremost, our service industries serve us,” the prime minister said.

He concluded, “We are more optimistic than ever before about our economic prospects with tourism leading the way as our number one industry that continues to grow at a record-breaking pace.

At the ground breaking site just west of the Atlantis Resort, officials tilled the soil, marking the beginning of the construction process.

Jason Liberty, president, and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group said that events regarding the agreement “symbolize partnership, momentum, and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community.

“We are grateful to our partners for their support, especially the Bahamian government, who stand with us here today in celebration of what is to come.”

Bahamas News

Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province

Published

22 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.

The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.

His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.

Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.

“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”

She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.

Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.

“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”

She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.

The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”

She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.

His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.

He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.

His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.

“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”

He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”

He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.

His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.

He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”

PHOTO CAPTION

A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)