Bahamas News
Grand Bahama Minister urges residents to remain vigilant against COVID-19
#Freeport, Grand Bahama – March 7, 2020 — Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. Kwasi Thompson is urging Grand Bahamians to continue to follow the protocols laid out by the Ministry of Health, as The Bahamas continues to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Minister Thompson’s remarks came in light of one additional person from Grand Bahama who tested positive for exposure to the novel coronavirus. On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, a 50-year-old resident of Grand Bahama was among five new cases of positive COVID-19 in the Bahamas.
The new case brought the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bahama to eight. Grand Bahama had gone over three weeks with no new cases.
“To hear of this new case after going for so long without a new case in Grand Bahama is disappointing, but it sends a clear message to Grand Bahama that we cannot let our guards down with respect to this disease and the fight that we are in,” said Minister Thompson.
Minister Thompson noted that during the Prime Minister’s latest national address on COVID-19, he pointed out that Nassau and Grand Bahama were moving into Phase 1B of the reopening plan for the Bahamian economy.
This phase allows for businesses to accept and fulfill online and telephone orders with curbside and delivery pickups for customers: “We are urging those businesses to stay within the guidelines that have been set out by the Prime Minister and not to breach the protocols,” said Minister Thompson. “Only businesses that can operate through online and telephone orders, using curbside and delivery services are allowed to operate.”
Asked if further testing in Grand Bahama will be conducted, Minister Thompson said that additional testing is being carried out by health professionals in Grand Bahama. He added that vigorous contact tracing is still being carried out on the island in respect to the new confirmed case. “We have been informed that the person is at home and is being treated at home. But all of us must stay vigilant with respect to this fight.”
BIS News by Andrew Coakley
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 29, 2023 – With moves to deepen ties, governments of The Bahamas and Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify agreements in principle surrounding the development of aviation and other related services.
This is according to Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation in a Facebook post.
This comes after The Bahamas Government in a press release on September 24th, revealed that Cooper, was set to meet with the head of Qatar Airways to have talks regarding “multiple mutually beneficial aviation opportunities for both countries.”
The release also said the deputy prime minister and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation are working on “forging strategic partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries to strengthen ties to The Bahamas and the Caribbean,” and this new signing is indicative of such efforts.
Following the September 25th signing, on September 27th, Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas informed via Facebook some details of the agreement saying, “we have now established a framework for cooperation and formed strategic partnerships with Qatar Airways, Qatar’s Transport, Aviation and Investment Agencies and The Qatar Aeronautical Academy, that will benefit our country.”
Regarding further efforts for the improvement of The Bahamas, Cooper announced on Facebook again on Tuesday September 26th that both countries are working to make Nassau a passenger hub for Latin America and the Caribbean adding that talks are being held for Grand Bahama as a cargo hub.
Additionally, as the press release informed, Cooper is preparing for an on ground visit of Bahamasair domestic operations by Qatar Airways Technical team sometime in October.
Defence Headquarters 28 SEP ’23: HMBS P-45 under the command of Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith
detained a group of Cuban migrants in Cistern Cay, Exuma on September 27, 2023, due to information received from a Good Samaritan vessel in the area that handed them over to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Members of HMBS P-45 retrieved twenty-eight (28) Cuban nationals and transported them to HMBS Coral Harbour in New Providence. All individuals appeared to be in good health and will undergo further processing and assessment by Immigration officials.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage and
appreciates the sharing of information and intelligence provided by the boating community to affect migrants and other unlawful interdictions at sea.
(For additional information, contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel).
RBDF
#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting
and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.
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