The Eleutheran Newspaper May/June 2020 Issue

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Volume 13, Issue 5/12, 2020

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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COVID-19:

EEC Submits Recovery

Document to Gov’t for Consideration

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, & Eleuthera - North, Central & South BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l PAGE 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty PAGE 5: HG Christie

During the past several weeks of Covid-19 Emergency Measures being in place, the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce (ECC) has been assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Eleuthera’s economy and discussing ways that the island’s economic engine can be jumpstarted once it’s given the ‘all clear’, said the ECC’s Executive Director, Candice Turnquest.

“Over the last month, we launched a COVID-19 Impact Assessment Survey and hosted a Virtual Symposium to garner feedback from our members on the impact of the pandemic and ways in which we can recover,” P18 Scanning electron microscope image shows COVID-19 coronavirus (seen in yellow), isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from cells (in blue and pink) cultured in the lab. Sourced online and credited to NIAID-RML.

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Relaxed Measures 02

Police Staff Reach Out

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NATIONAL RECORD

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NEMA Urges Public to Make Preparations for 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Amidst COVID-19 Fight The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, is gearing up its mandate – which is ensuring that adequate preparedness and mitigation measures, and response and recovery mechanisms, are in place as it prepares to navigate through the upcoming 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Theme for this season is: “Build-

ing A Disaster Resilient Bahamas” #2020HurricaneSeasonPrepareYourSpace #FightCOVID-19 The Director of NEMA, Captain Stephen Russell, is urging the public to make preparations, especially since the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019.

“We are still very much aware of

the 2019 Hurricane Season, which saw Hurricane Dorian as an extremely powerful and devastating Category 5 Hurricane that became the most intense storm on record to hit The Bahamas.

It is also regarded as the worst natural disaster in our country’s history,” Captain Russell said.

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Pg 28 OE Virtual Campus Launch

ADVICE:

14 (Disposable Children...) ; 13 (Get Ready Eleuthera...) |

The Government introduced a COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card that would allow individuals to travel to approved Family Islands as part of a gradual re-opening of inter-island travel, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced on Sunday, May 17th, 2020 in a live televised COVID-19 National Address...

Read Details On Page 42

Opinion :

12 & 33 |

Virtual 2020 EBO Hosted The Eleuthera Business Outlook Event, took on a very different character this year, as a result of the curfew and lock down restrictions imposed to mitigate the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

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Police Staff Association

reach out to

Children of Officers On Wednesday, May 20th, representatives of the Police Staff Association, and volunteers were at the Worker’s House ballroom facility, sorting through mounds of snack items and fruits, packing them into individual bags, which would be delivered during the next several days to the homes of police officers across Eleuthera for their children.

This initiative, said Officer Rovan Carey, Director of the Police Staff Association for Eleuthera and the Southern Bahamas, was one way of sending a clear message to the officers and members of the police staff association, as well as reserve officers on the island, that they were all in this fight (on the frontline) together, and that

the association was there for them.

“Police Officers, like other front line officers - we suit up when everybody else suits down. Many of us have to leave our kids unattended by us - some are too young to understand some understand - and they see us as superheroes. So, this is just a way for the Police Staff Association in conjunction with the One Eleuthera Foundation to say to the kids - we are here for you all, and we love you - we stand in this fight to keep you safe. These are just a few snacks - as you are home doing your virtual education and so forth,” Officer Carey explained.

Officer Frederick Anderson of the staff association, responsible for private engagement and finance, who

Above (L-R): Police Staff Association representatives - Officer Gonzalo Brancaccio, Officer Rovan Carey, and Officer Frederick Anderson.

was also on hand, assisting with the preparations for delivery, added, “After the initiative was brought to our attention by our Director, we all were on board - we support our director one hundred percent, and we endorsed the initiative. We protect the protectors - that is our mandate as the Police Staff Association representatives. We want to ensure, not just the officer, but their families as well, because the family is the moral support of all officers, and once all is well at home - the officers can come out and perform at their best. The Staff Association wants to ensure that the officers’ children, their homes are good - so when they

come out, you get an officer that is not only happy, but he is mentally stable because his family is okay, and he can perform at his best.”

Maisie Thompson, with the One Eleuthera Foundation, was also on hand, on Wednesday morning, helping with the sorting and packing of the snacks earmarked for the children of the Eleuthera Division RBPF officers, and commented, “We are an organization that likes to connect with other like-minded individuals within the community. We thought it would be a great way to give back, P10

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Atlantic Hurricane Season Continued from Page. 1 The fourth named storm of the season, Dorian struck Abaco and its Cays on September 1, 2019 with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. The storm went on to strike Grand Bahama at similar intensity, stalling just north of the area with unrelenting winds for at least 24 hours.

Dorian left catastrophic results in its wake. Most structures were severely damaged or destroyed. Some were swept out to sea. Thousands were left homeless; there were 74 official deaths; and there was an estimated $3.4 billion in damage and losses.

“So, as we prepare for the 2020 Hurricane Season, which spans June 1 to November 30, several major forecasting centres are predicting a more active than usual season,” Captain Russell noted.

Bahamas Department of Meteorology: The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has observed that an above average 2020 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season is forecast, based on Colorado State University predictions:

· 16 named storms;

· 8 of which are to reach hurricane strength; and,

· 4 of these hurricanes are expected to develop into major hurricanes.

“A very strong indicator or influence on the cyclone activity during the season is sea surface temperatures. And the sea surface tempera-

tures east of The Bahamas and in the Caribbean Sea are already quite warm (80F/27C) – since late March,” said Trevor Basden, Director, Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

“You are reminded that these seasonal forecasts only give you an idea of how active a season is expected to be. But we in The Bahamas are easily reminded that all it takes is one system to make landfall to result in loss of life and much, much destruction.”

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the USA’s National Weather Service, also expect an above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a nearnormal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.

The combination of several climate factors is driving the strong likelihood for above-normal activity

in the Atlantic this year, says NOAA. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are expected to either remain neutral or to trend toward La Nina, meaning there will not be an El Nino present to suppress hurricane activity. Also, warmerthan-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, coupled with reduced vertical wind shear, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced west African monsoon all increase the likelihood for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Similar conditions have been producing more active seasons since the current high-activity era began in 1995.

The Bahamas Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, along with its agencies the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) are coordinating a joint national hurricane preparedness and response plan for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, along with other state organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations, in order to maximize all resources available during the season.

Disaster Reconstruction Authority: The Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) is responsible for the management of reconstruction and restoration in areas designated disaster zones. The DRA Act was enacted by Parliament in 2019 in response to the widespread devastation of Hurricane Dorian to the Northern Bahamas.

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Phase Advancement Worship Services Allowed, Further Measures Relaxed, As Bahamas Transitions to Phase 2 of Reopening For Postprint Updates: Visit www.EleutheraNews.com

In an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, May 22nd, 2020, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that the Bahamas has begun its transition to Phase 2 of the five-phase re-opening plan – which, it said, included the resumption of business operations in Family Islands with no presence of COVID-19, an increase in delivery and curbside operations, the addition of healthcare services and manufacturing industries, and the opening up of worship services.

The bulk of the statement in-

cluded details on the resumption of worship services under specific conditions, and the further relaxation of business hours and days for designated exempted businesses and services outlined in the Emergency Powers (COVID 19) Order 2020. It read as follows: “Worship services: Effective Saturday 23 May worship services may be held in all Family Islands cleared to resume commercial activity (Abaco, An-

dros, Long Island, Cat Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island and Rum Cay) 2020 under the following conditions: • Services may be held in the sanctuary; • The church is responsible for providing hand sanitisation at the entrance to the church; • All persons participating and attending the service must adhere to proper physical distancing, hygiene and sanitisation protocols; • Persons must sit 6 feet apart, except if they are from the same immediate household; • Persons are to remain in or at their seats; • All persons must wear masks; • Sunday School is not permitted; • Communion may be held using disposable cups and distributors must wear a mask and gloves, and must exercise proper hygiene and sanitisation measures; • There will be one offering station. Offering baskets should not be passed around; • Persons that are in high-risk categories are asked not to attend

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the service, this includes persons age 65 and over and those with comorbidities.

On New Providence, Grand Bahama and other Family Islands not included above (Exuma, San Salvador, Eleuthera, Bimini and the Berry Islands), churches are permitted to hold services effective Saturday, 23 May 2020 under the following conditions: • Services may ONLY be held as drive-up service where attendees are seated in their vehicles. No sanctuary service is permitted; • Adequate parking must be available to accommodate the drive up service; • Services must be limited to one hour; • Vehicles may only have 4 persons from the same immediate household; • Where an immediate household has more than 4 persons, the church leader is to issue a clear sign to be displayed visibly on the dashboard of the vehicle indicating that the church is familP40 iar with the family

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RBPF Staff help Cont’d

through the Police and their staff association initiative to provide snacks for their officers’ children. We know that our officers are always out there, protecting us, and protecting our communities. So, naturally, we were honoured to be a part of it ... I think it’s a wonderful gesture, and I think it’s going to be appreciated, by the kids especially. We are all for health and wellness, so, we got some oranges and apples in there as well.”

Within the Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), there are currently sixty seven (67) regular officers stationed across the island, as well as more than thirty (30) reserve officers. The snack packages being prepared on Wednesday morning would be going out to one hundred and one (101) officers’ children throughout Eleuthera, said Officer Carey.

Officer Gonzalo Brancaccio, responsible for welfare within the staff association, who was also part of the preparation team on Wednesday, said it was important for their colleagues to know that they had each other’s backs, “Us as officers, we wear many hats. It’s not only our families we look out for, but, we also look out for everybody else’s families.

So it’s not only our children, but our brothers’ and sisters’ children. We just want to let everybody know that we are in this fight together, and we have

Police Staff Association members and volunteers prepare snack bag packages for children of police officers throughout the Eleuthera Division at the Worker’s House ballroom on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020.

Above and below: Fruits and other snacks being sorted for the children of police officers in Eleuthera.

everybody’s back.”

Officer Carey conveyed special thanks, saying, “Thank you to the One Eleuthera Foundation, who worked with us hand in hand. We appreciate it, and it will not go unnoticed. I would also like to thank the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Rolle, and his executive management team, they were very supportive of this initiative. Also, executives from the Police Staff Association.”

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Health Tip Ways to cope with the stress 1. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

2. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.

3. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

4. Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.

5. Avoid alcohol.

6. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Dr Graham Cates, MRCGP Medical Director Family Medicine Center

May/June, 2020

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co m m e n ta ry

May/June, 2020

The U.S. and Cuba: Caribbean chooses cooperation, not confrontation

By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

Caribbean countries are, once again, being placed in a difficult position as they try to navigate a course between the United States (U.S.) and Cuba - two countries of great importance to them and for each of which they have great respect.

In 1972, the four then independent member states of what is now the Caribbean Com-

munity (CARICOM) - Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago -broke a U.S. embargo to establish diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba, charting the course for a foreign policy based on independence, courage and concerted action.

Since then, every government of a CARICOM country, that achieved independence, has kept to that policy, with only one brief exception.

Recently efforts have been made, without success, to persuade CARICOM countries to turn away from Cuba.

The attitude of the government of the U.S. to Cuba departed from the détente in force when President Donald Trump came into office in January 2017. Renewed efforts to isolate Cuba followed.

On May 12, the U.S. government approach to Cuba hardened still further when it certified to the U.S. Congress that Cuba did not cooperate fully with U.S. counter terrorism efforts in 2019.

An unnamed senior official in the U.S. administration reportedly told Reuters News Agency on May 14 that consideration is

being given to returning Cuba to a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The governments of the Caribbean regard the region as “a zone of peace” and they were openly relieved when the former government of the U.S., under President Barack Obama, softened a 50-year hard line policy on Cuba, including a trade embargo.

In December 2014, Obama declared, “We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries”. The new deal, he said, will “begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas” and move beyond a “rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born.”

The Caribbean, and the world, including U.S. states and companies, long locked-out of the Cuban market because of U.S. government policies, looked forward to “the new deal” between the two neighbouring states whose relations impinge on the entire Hemisphere.

In 2015 and 2016, three historic events occurred, under Obama, that evinced further belief that the hemisphere and the world had become a safer place. First, the U.S. and Cuba reopened diplomatic Embassies in each other’s capitals, re-establishing official lines of communication and dialogue that were terminated in 1960 when the corrupt regime of military dictator, Fulgencio Batista, was overthrown. Second, the U.S. State Department removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism – a designation that was first imposed in 1982. And third, Obama became the first sitting U.S. president in nearly ninety years to visit Cuba, meeting its then president, Raul Castro, and opening the way for U.S. airlines and Cruise ships to ply their trade in Cuba.

However, many of these measures of cooperation have been reversed.

In 2017, President Trump reinstated restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and U.S. business dealings.

Then in 2018, former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton, labelled Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela the “Troika of Tyranny”. Shortly

thereafter, the U.S. government announced a raft of sanctions against Cuba including banning cruises and curtailing direct flights.

Now comes the May 12 certification that Cuba did not cooperate fully with U.S. counter terrorism efforts in 2019. Even more troubling to hemispheric peaceful cooperation is the assertion by a senior U.S. official that there is a “convincing case” to put Cuba back on the U.S. blacklist.

For its part, the Cuban government has rejected the U.S. certification, saying it “disregards that there is concrete evidence, some of them very recent, of bilateral collaboration between the two governments in the fight against terrorism, and joint law enforcement efforts”. The Cuban statement also claims that “as part of this collaboration, recent actions of particular interest to the U.S. government have been carried out, recognized by its own law enforcement agencies”.

Political observers in the U.S. have attributed two reasons to the U.S government’s renewed tough stance toward Cuba.

The first is the forthcoming U.S. Presidential elections in which the State of Florida is crucial to who is elected. Florida is the home of Cuban, Venezuelan and other dissidents whose support is important to the election outcome. Pandering to their desire for regime change in their birth countries compels the attention of any Presidential candidate.

The second reason is satisfying the government of Colombia which has been urging the U.S. government to add Cuba to the list of countries “not fully co-operating with counter-terrorism efforts”. The Colombian government wants to use that designation as justification for abandoning protocols to an arrangement with the Cuban government which facilitated peace talks between the Colombian government and the dissident group, Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN). Those talks broke down in January 2019. Since then, the Colombian government has been demanding the extradition of the ELN members who were left in Cuba. Consistent with international law, Cuba has declined to extradite them.

Venezuela is also tied-up in all this. Colombia’s President, Iván Duque, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro are at daggers drawn and the U.S. administration disapprove of the close Cuba-Venezuela links.

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GET READY ELEUTHERA Hurricane season opens June 1 and every homeowner in Eleuthera should be prepared by now in the event of a major storm.

The first tropical storm of the year Arthur – formed north of the Bahamas even before the season opened. I hate to sound pessimistic, but 2020 saw the hottest January on record and February was the second hottest. March 2020 was about three degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the average between 1981 and 2010. And April ranks as the second hottest on record.

What’s even more worrying is the ocean surface temperatures are the highest on record.

And that, my friends, is something to take note of. Heat is like throwing fat on the fire of any storm that may come this way.

Don’t wait for June 1. If you haven’t done so already, NOW is the time to get ready, stock up and make evacuation plans.

It seems like only yesterday Hurricane Dorian slammed into our northern islands, unleashing a fury never witnessed by a living soul in the Bahamas.

The catastrophic monster utterly devastated areas of Abaco and Grand Bahama - even worse than the terrible damage wrought by Hurricane Andrew on Eleuthera in 1992. Although unharmed, the people of Eleuthera – both Bahamians and our friends from abroad – carry vivid memories of the Dorian aftermath.

Who will forget the images of shellshocked Dorian survivors arriving in North Eleuthera clutching bags or cardboard boxes with their pitiful few possessions and their traumatized pets?

The distressing events from the north touched off a superhuman relief effort by the people of Eleuthera as waves of refugees arrived by air and boat. The people of Abaco and Grand Bahama

Commentary-

continue to struggle to return to a sense of normalcy, many of them still without homes, electricity and potable water.

Start planning now!

You Know You Need: You know you need AT LEAST a two-week supply of potable water, nonperishable food, pet food and any prescription medicine you may take. You know you should secure all government issued ID and important papers in a waterproof bag and other valuables, including photographs, before a hurricane hits.

You must also make evacuation plans, especially if you live on the coast, in low lying areas prone to flooding or if your roof or structure are compromised.

And you must help make plans for the old and infirmed who are unable to help themselves.

If you are able to, consult with a professional about investing in a generator or solar system, if you don’t already have a stand-by power system. At a minimum, you want to be able to keep a fridge and freezer running, along with a couple of lights and a fan or two and power to any water pump you may rely on. Generators must be secured above flood level, as well as vehicles.

The Good News: The good news is that many homes built in compliance with the Bahamas’ strict building codes withstood Dorian’s wrath. These homes were well maintained and high enough off the ground to withstand damage from storm surge or flooding. Post Hurricane Dorian building inspections revealed that in many instances, ‘basic’ building components didn’t meet the building code, according to Craig Delancey, the building control officer in the Ministry of Works.

Ronald Sanders

ment collectively reiterated their concern over “the enhanced sanctions announced by the US Government” and they denounced as “unjustifiable” the application of laws and measures of an extraterritorial nature that are contrary to international law.

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They did not choose Cuba over the U.S. They chose international law, hemispheric cooperation, and peace - principles to which the region’s people are devoted.

21 May 2020 Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com (The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own) Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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By Mike Lightbourn

A team of private architects, engineers and contractors, along with members of building control, carried out in depth inspections of some of the damaged buildings. They found that many buildings damaged or destroyed didn’t comply with the code; some didn’t even comply with basic building codes. A lot of the buildings destroyed were old buildings with rotten, termite infested wood and corroded roof anchor bolts and hurricane clips. Structural defects were also uncovered during inspections. YOU control how well your home is maintained.

If you have concerns, hire a reputable building inspector, an engineer or an experienced builder if possible to find out if your home meets the standard.

Questions or comments?

Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

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Disposable Children - A Growing Epidemic a real family is also on the rise.

Teri M. Bethel Several years ago, I watched the movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou.

It was possibly one of the most riveting movies I have watched for some time. Not because of the pace or the Hollywood flare but because of its storyline. The effect the uprising had on families—children in particular. You see, it was based on real events, real people dealing with real issues.

So what is a blood diamond, is it real, and how does it affect people? A blood, conflict, or hot diamond is a term used for diamonds mined in a war zone. In Sierra Leone, a mineral-rich country where the story is based, it was not unusual for any ordinary person to go to the river to find diamonds and gold. Though not unusual, it was illegal to do so unless you were a licensed miner. These diamonds were generally smuggled out of the country for use to fund insurgencies or war efforts without regard for the citizenry.

Fact or Fiction?

My husband and I sat with a high ranking naval officer from Sierra Leone not too long ago. One of the first things I asked was if the movie was accurate in depicting the events of that time. He said it was. The drug-soaked, child soldiers who became merciless killing machines, was real. Families were terrorized as their innocent children were violently ripped from their homes.

Initially, these children were horrified to be separated from their families. Many saw their father’s gunned down in their presence. Eventually, the kids were brainwashed into believing that the gang was now their real family. Of course, this is considered extreme behavior for many of us in the Bahamas, but the substitution of

Child Abuse on the Homefront Any initiative that places things before people, whether on a personal level in your home, church or the workplace, is generally doomed from the start. It’s so easy to glare at others who are experiencing blatant atrocities while overlooking our own challenges in the Western world. For instance, child trafficking still exists, as does child pornography, bullying, and neglect. We tend to measure abuse at different levels to temper our pricking consciences. However, from the perspective of the abused, pain is pain.

Leaving children unsupervised is a form of neglect. Whether its to feed themselves or to allow them to be babysat by the internet or television. While many people consider the TV a free means of babysitting, its consequences are generally more costly in the long run. A teacher shared her concern with a preschooler’s parents of his unusually aggressive behavior, which was sexual in nature towards other children. The parents were angry and embarrassed that their child could be involved in such anti-social behavior. Just before his father lurched forward to grasp the child, the teacher asked the child where he learned this behavior. The child informed his teacher that he watched the movies with his daddy. Quite horrified, the parents claimed they thought the child was asleep in their bed while they watched the adult films.

Discipline or Abuse?

What we fail to recognize is how pain affects an individual in their current as well as their future state. The way some of us raise our voices to children, hurling the most obscene language at them, is an abuse that has long-lasting consequences. Ruthless beatings on and off camera under the guise of discipline, along with public shaming, is another form of abuse. There are instances when a child should be disciplined with

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a spanking. But that should not be done in a rage with indiscriminate beatings about the body using objects that even an adult would shudder at.

When the Bible stated that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child and the rod of correction will drive it out, there was no later amendment to overrule that. Perhaps the problem is not so much the spanking, but the recklessness of those who have not learned to lovingly train up a child.

Long-Lasting Effects As adults, we may not be physically placing weapons in our children’s hands.

But could the absence of wholesome guidance as we forage for the equivalent of a blood diamond be propelling them to satisfy the need for love, discipline, and acceptance? Could this be one of the reasons why people are being wooed into gang relations or pawns in the hands of the power-hungry?

Quite often, the damage inflicted is more profound than the tearing of the skin. Wounds of the heart or emotions tend to be an even longer-lasting issue, which is often reflected in their behavior as an adult and meted out on others.

Why are adults preying on and taking advantage of our children? Unless we are prepared to mentor our children and lead by example in every arena, we are sending them a message that they are not valued. They are disposable children.

It’s time to reset our priorities. We cannot expect the younger generation to learn what we are not teaching or living by example. The truth is, the diamond you are searching for is right in your neighborhood. Perhaps its time to get involved in dusting them off to allow them to shine. If we don’t, they’ll be groomed as henchmen for the greedy rather than being the solution for our nation’s needs.

A uthor :

Teri M Bethel is a publisher and an author of relationship enrichment books, which include: Before We Say, I Do… and My Marriage Matters. She has also published romance and adventure novels, purse making, and fabric painting DVDs that seek to entertain, empower, and promote healthy lifestyles for adults and children. Her books are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera and New Providence. Additionally, Teri provides a free online directory for local authors to showcase their family-friendly books. She and her husband have two adult sons. Visit her website, www.BooksByBethel.com, or e-mail her at tbethel@booksbybethel.com.

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Policy Immigration Public Notice -

Permits Expiring During Public Emergency Automatically Extended

On Friday, May 22nd, the Bahamas government released Emergency Powers (COVID 19) Special Provisions Amendment (No. 4) Order, 2020, which included an update pertaining to Immigration.

Item 19 of the Emergency order informed that,”Any work permit, annual residence or other permit issued under the Immigration Act (Ch. 191) that expired during the period of public emergency shall be deemed extended until thirty day after the expiry of the state of public emergency.”

Damianos Sotheby’s International

Realty Offices Throughout The Bahamas Re-Opened Monday, May 25th

“Doors Will Be Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.”

Monday, May 25th’s reopening of the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty offices marked nine weeks since offices were closed due to COVID-19 quarantine mandates. In this span of time, staff members and agents utilized their downtime for professional development, team building and to sharpen sales and marketing strategies.

“Our entire team has been working remotely non-stop, and in many ways, has been busier than ever,” said George Damianos, Chief Executive Officer for

Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty. “Once the government announced we were going into quarantine indefinitely, we immediately pivoted and began working from our home offices, turning our focus to virtual and digital strategies and beefing up our marketing.”

In the past two months, the company’s leadership team met daily via Microsoft Teams to assess every aspect of business from accounting and P31

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May/June, 2020

Collaboration to better understand the threat of disease to sea turtles across The Bahamas By: CEI

Green sea turtle

Earthwatch volunteers assisting with collecting data on number, location and size of FP tumors.

Numerous studies point to links between human-caused environmental degradation of ecosystems (such as habitat loss, overexploitation, and pollution) and the emergence of wildlife disease. In addition to direct human activity, climate change is poised to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity this century. Specifically in the oceans, marine heatwaves are projected to increase in frequency, duration, size and intensity. Wildlife affected by any of these threats, and sometimes multiple at once, suffer increased stress, lower immunity, and ultimately death. Therefore, future environmental conditions will push some marine organisms and ecosystems beyond the limits of their resilience.

One of the key ecosystem-modifiers and few remaining megagrazers in the wider Caribbean is the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). It was extremely abundant, in the region of 16 – 33 million large turtles in the Caribbean, but suffered dramatic decline due to overharvest by humans by the 19th century. With only an estimated 3 -7% of the original population remaining, the green turtle is classified as endangered throughout its range. Since 2009 all sea turtles in The Bahamas are protected, however outbreaks of Fibropapillomatosis disease (FP), caused by a marine herpesvirus, may be contributing to mortality of an already vulnerable species. FP afflicts mainly juvenile green sea turtles, presenting itself as external and internal tumors. Individuals are affected by reduced vision, feeding, movement, and predator avoidance, as well as physiologically, and FP is ultimately lethal in severe cases. In other regions, the presence of infected turtles has been correlated with degraded habitats but it is difficult to isolate any one specific cause.

In The Bahamas, the distribution and severity of FP was unknown and thus its impact on sea turtle populations unclear. The urgent need for this information led to a collaboration between 6 research groups (CEI, Florida International University, Florida State University, Family Island Research and Education, the Geronimo program of

St. Georges School, and the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research) all conducting in-water studies monitoring sea turtles across the Bahamian archipelago; the latter group since 1969. By pooling turtle capture data (7580 turtle captures!) the spatial and temporal occurrence of FP throughout the Bahamian archipelago, along with areas where no FP has been reported, the prevalence of FP and impact on juvenile green turtles in coastal foraging grounds of 18 islands is now better understood. This collaborative project will be published this year and key findings include: 1) the first record of FP was in 1990; 2) only 4% of all captures included in the study had FP, however in affected islands and habitats this proportion increased to a maximum 42% of turtles (Andros island); 3) turtles with FP are generally larger than healthy turtles, meaning that turtles get the disease after arrival in their foraging grounds; 4) several islands have no disease outbreaks despite thousands of turtle captures, including Conception, Cat Island and Inagua. Unfortunately a few key habitats in Eleuthera have an FP outbreak but thanks to the Earthwatch Institute, surveys of these populations are occurring and recaptures of turtles are vital to understand progression of the disease and mortality rates.

For more information please get in touch with Annabelle Brooks, Adjunct Scientist: annabellebrooks@ceibahamas.org

Green turtle with FP tumors on its eyes and flippers highlighted

Small new tumor growth

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Temporary Causeway replaces collapsed Russell Island / Spanish Wells Bridge Authorities in Eleuthera say that an investigation into the collapse of the Roderick Newton Higgs bridge on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020, is still ongoing. Shortly after midday on that Wednesday, residents in Spanish Wells reported the collapse of this vital bridge, which connects the community of Spanish Wells on St. George’s Cay to Russell Island in North Eleuthera.

Officials confirmed that two vehicles were on the bridge at the time of collapse (a large truck and a golf cart), with 3 occupants between the two vehicles. All occupants were said to have appeared and stated to be without injury. No swimmers, pedestrians or boaters were involved with the incident. MP for the North Eleuthera Constituency, the Hon. H. Rickey Mackey, commented following the incident, “We are thankful that there were no injuries and no lives were lost.”

On one resident’s live social media broadcast capturing the immediate aftermath, local residents could be seen attempting to remove the large truck from the center of the collapsed bridge. After the collaboration of a number of community members, the truck was successfully removed from the center of the bridge at about 2:30pm on the Wednesday afternoon. MP Mackey also commended the men of Spanish Wells for the heroic efforts and unwavering support for each other.

The Hon. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Public Works accompanied by colleagues within his Ministry, were in Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera, nine months ago, on July 22nd, 2019, for the signing of a $2.8 million contract, awarded to Waugh Construction (Bahamas), for the replacement of the Roderick Newton Higgs bridge, which had not advanced before the bridge collapse on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020.

The bridge, at that time was described as very important, having accommodated the growth and expansion of Spanish Wells in recent years. Russell Island, confirmed Chief Local Government Councilor, Mr. Robert Roberts, has 200 homes and businesses, and also hosts the St. George’s Cay Power Company, as well as the community’s landfill site.

The current bridge was installed 28 years ago, in 1992, as a temporary fixture to replace the one destroyed after the passage of hurricane Andrew.

Part of the bridge infrastructure included the Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (WSC) water line, providing water service to the residents and businesses on Russell Island. During the time of the bridge collapse “red water” could be seen gushing from the broken water main - attesting to the poor quality of water being delivered to Spanish Wells, Russell Island, and the other communities within the North Eleuthera area.

MP Mackey, commenting on May 6th, said that he had been advised that the new reverse osmosis (RO) plant located in Lower Bogue to provide clean potable water to the people of North Eleuthera had been completed, but, had yet to be brought online and promised to get an explanation for the hold up (Note: The new RO plant was commissioned and began production and distribution of water to North Eleuthera communities, five days later, on May 11th, 2020).

Chief Councillor, Robert Roberts, giving Minister Bannister and his colleagues with the Ministry of Public Works a tour of the deteriorated bridge in 2018.

on Thursday morning, May 7th, Chief Councilor Roberts confirmed that representatives from WSC arrived in Spanish Wells, and worked with local volunteers to devise temporary repairs to have the water service back up and running on Russell Island before end of day on Thursday. Mr. Roberts expressed special thanks to WSC, CMS Marine, Herbie Albury and everyone else that contributed.

Focus then shifted on Friday, May 8th, 2020, to getting a temporary causeway in place and ready for vehicular traffic to resume between the two communities. At end of a full day of effort on Friday, Chief Councilor Roberts commented, “We came so close to getting it finished today, but blew a major hydraulic hose on the excavator at 4:50 pm. We managed to get it fixed and left at 8:20pm. We will complete tomorrow.”

On Saturday, May 9th, the Office of the Administrator in Spanish Wells confirmed that as a result of the hard work and dedication of members of the community, a temporary causeway between Spanish Wells and Russell Island had been completed.

People traversing the causeway were advised to do so with caution, and only if necessary. Local leaders Chief Councilor Mr. Robert Roberts and Deputy Chief Councilor Mr. Herbie Albury were also lauded for their tireless work following the bridge collapse, to return some semblance of normalcy to the community.

MP Rickey Mackey, in a formal statement on May 7th, stated, “The Government and Waugh Construction (Bahamas) Ltd. will work feverishly to commence the reconstruction on the new bridge so as to keep the inconveniences at a minimum and totally facilitate the island as soon as possible.”

Chief Councilor Robert Roberts, on Monday, May 25th, shared that the pipe and materials for the temporary water main that would be laid across the channel from Spanish Wells to Russell Island were expected to arrive within the week. He added that once Waugh Construction received confirmation of the material arrival, they were expected to mobilize their construction crew. The first phase of work would involve installation of the temporary water main, followed by removal of the old, collapsed bridge. Nine 40 foot containers holding the materials and parts of the new bridge to be installed, had already been shipped and were now at the bridge site, confirmed Councilor Roberts.

Above and below: A golf cart and a large truck were caught on the Roderick Newton Higgs bridge as it collapsed on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020. A rush of red rusty water can also be seen gushing from a broken water main along the bridge.

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ECC Submits Covid-19 recovery document for consideration cont’d

she shared, and added, “Following our consultations, we believe that the Government, through various economic stimulus programs, will play an important role in helping Family Islands.”

The ECC created a COVID-19 Recovery document focused on three priority areas, including; foreign investment projects and major developments; investment in Family Island businesses; and real estate/construction.

This document, said Director Turnquest was forwarded on Saturday, May 9th to the Bahamas Prime Minister as well as the Chairman of the new Econom-

ic Recovery Committee.

“It is our hope,” she shared, “that the suggestions noted will be given thoughtful consideration as they chart the way forward.”

Results from the Impact Assessment Survey were also included in the ECC’s COVID-19 Recovery document as an appendix.

See the complete document below:

COVID-19 RECOVERY Restarting and Stimulus In Family Islands Broadening the Economic Base of The Bahamas for the Future

It is felt by many that the Family Islands (FIs) offer The Bahamas the greatest opportunity for recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are convinced of this based on the following evidence: Why The Family Islands?

- Currently 14 islands have ZERO COVID-19 cases. The FIs are all unique, each with their unique natural beauty. The FIs are sparsely populated, which easily facilitates social distancing.

- These islands typically attract higher end clients. The FIs currently have significant existing foreign investments and pending projects;for example - Existing cruise ports (Coco Cay, Great Stirrup Cay, Castaway Cay, Princess Cays, Half Moon Cay, Ocean Cay) New cruise port projects (Disney $300 Million, Half Moon Cay $100 Million).

- Vacation Rental Homes (this is a consistent growth area).

- A number of boating and yachting destinations (Abaco, Eleuthera, Exumas; all offering a variety of marinas and moorings).

- Small Hotels/Lodges.

- Domestically, many Bahamians are looking for a simpler, quieter life and would relish the opportunity to live and work on the FI, if possible.

- Typically, land on FIs cost less than land in the capital.

Note that the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce is prepared to work with the Bahamas Government on the implementation plan for the stimulus program outlined below.

Foreign Investment Projects and Major Developments: It is our view that the government ought to assess all pending projects and the ability of the project’s principals to move forward.

Following this assessment, we are of the view that all viable projects that are pending should be fast-tracked. The fast-tracking of these projects would be aided by the creation of a Family Island Investment & Development Board (FIIDB).

This Board will focus exclusively on Family Island projects.

We would also like to recommend that the majority of board’s members (who will be appointed by the government) have first-hand knowledge and expertise in family island development and/or operations).

The FIIDB will seek to support the developer in the first phase of the project and offer guidance and advice, as necessary. We believe that this approach would go a long way in ensuring that (at the very least) the first phase of these projects are completed and become immediately operational.

It is also recommended that a specific amount of the transfer tax be earmarked for essential infrastructure and commercial development in the community where the development is proposed.

Investment In Family Island Businesses: Bahamian businesses need to retool if they plan to succeed in the changing global landscape. The upgrades needed are costly and many businesses cannot afford them given the current tax regime.

Additionally, more than 75% of Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce members who recently participated in our COVID-19 Impact survey noted that they experienced revenue decline of 90% or more as a direct result of the measures imposed in response to the pandemic.

If existing Family Island businesses are going to recover, The Bahamas government will need to implement various measures to stimulate the economy.

It is suggested that the government consider (for a specified period) allowing all businesses to use VAT credit for capital investments or loan

repayments for the purpose of improving their business’ technology, physical plant, infrastructure, developing delivery programs, and increasing energy efficiency. It is also suggested that all equipment purchased for this purpose be imported duty free.

It is thought that special consideration ought to be made for businesses on the brink of collapse. It is proposed that, for these businesses, the government also consider utilizing the VAT credit for inventory, rent, and operational expenses.

It is suggested that the VAT credit be offered to all existing businesses on the family islands (that meet the requirements outlined) for a period of 36 months. This, we believe, will help Family Island businesses make necessary investments or repay mortgages.

It is suggested that the Government offer: • 100% VAT credit for first 12 month period • 75% of VAT credit for the next 12 months • 50% of VAT credit for the final 12 months Further, it is suggested that Family Island businesses also use the VAT credit to repay business related mortgages. We trust that these mortgages will be offered at preferential rates so businesses can afford the financing needed to retool and rebuild.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING PROGRAM • - VAT Registered prior to or register immediately.

• - All other valid Government Documents.

ENCOURAGING DOMESTIC INVESTMENT IN THE FAMILY ISLANDS It is suggested that a Domestic Investor investing in a business on a Family Island with a capital investment of greater than $100,000 receive a VAT “rebate” in support of recovering a maximum 50% of the total investment over a 5 year period not to exceed 50% of its total VAT due to the Bahamas Government in any period.

Real Estate/Construction: To stimulate the closing of pending Real Estate deals; encourage others to invest in Family Island real estate; and encourage commencement of property refurbishment and/or construction; we would like to suggest that the government consider: -Removing closing costs (VAT and Stamp) for 24 months for Bahamians investing in Family islands real estate; -Providing 50% closing costs (VAT and

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Atlantic Hurricane Season Cont’d

Among its many tasks managing the disaster zones, the DRA has focused on assisting residents of Abaco, the Cays and Grand Bahama with temporary housing and home repairs.

Hurricane Dorian caused extensive damage to the Northern Bahamas. Temporary housing and home restoration are essential in preparation for the 2020 hurricane season.

The DRA launched its Small Home

Repair Programme web portal on February 10, 2020. Since then, up to May 1, 2020, 4,181 user profiles were created. Of the 4,181 user profiles, 2,820 people registered for the programme by completing the full registration process online.

Of the 2,820 homeowners registered, 1,920 homeowners were approved: 1,404 for Grand Bahama, and 519 for Abaco. There are 433 home-

ECC Covid Recovery Cont’d Stamp) for 12 months for non-Bahamians investing in Family island real estate (with minimums to be determined); -Offering a reduction in Real Property tax of 20% for 36 month; given that construction commences within 12 months and completed within the following 24 months thereafter mandating that all vacation rental properties must register and secure a business license.

Conclusion: We are of the view that, if the outlined stimulus program is introduced, it will likely provide significant economic benefit to The Bahamian people. These benefits include (but are not limited to):

- Reducing the need for NIB and other sources of financial aid generating employment through the expansion of existing businesses and offering financial support to new businesses; - Redistribution of the Bahamian economy through encouraging businesses in Nassau to move to the family islands to take advantage of the tax breaks; - Re-entering the Tourism business with fresh, new room inventory; - Expanding the pool of VAT registered companies with a view to expanding tax base and increasing tax revenue following the 36 month period.

owners who need to submit additional documents for their applications.

The DRA is aggressively following up with these people to assist them with the process. There were 252 people who were rejected, as they did not meet the criteria.

Up to May 1, 758 purchase orders were generated: 491 for Grand Bahama, and 267 for Abaco. Purchase orders are issued for residents to secure home repair supplies.

The DRA on April 2, 2020 handed over temporary housing domes in Spring City, Abaco. The DRA erected 32 domes in Spring City. These domes are temporary residences for displaced residents while they rebuild or repair their homes.

The state-of-the-art domes can accommodate four to six people. According to the manufacturer, they are built for extreme environments, able to withstand 180-mile-per-hour winds and have a functional life of 40 years to 50 years.

Forty domes will be issued to East End, Grand Bahama residents.

More than 100 domes are en-route to Abaco for other displaced residents of the mainland and Cays.

Conclusion: The steps toward hurricane preparedness, awareness and mitigation will be rolled out in the midst of the fight against COVID-19. As the protocol still calls for a number of safety measures, including physical distancing, the national approach to hurricane awareness and management will take on a more virtual strategy.

Inspection of designated emergency shelters is nearing completion.

Leaders of the Emergency Support Function groups and the disaster consultative committees have met virtually to discuss the level of readiness in all sectors. Moreover, Family Island disaster committees headed

by Family Island Administrators are also coordinating community efforts for the upcoming hurricane season.

“The public at large is being urged to heed advisories issued through NEMA and other relevant authorities as we navigate through the hurricane season and continue the fight against COVID-19,” Captain Russell stressed.

Members of the public are also advised to carry out their hurricane preparedness for their households.

Such steps include: inspection and/ or installation of hurricane shutters; storage of emergency supplies like water and non-perishable food items; securing important documents in protective shields; keeping medicine in stock; having cash on hand, and other measures.

Already, Tropical Storm Arthur became the first named storm of 2020; on Sunday, May 17 forming 16 days before the formal start of the hurricane season.

For more information Email: nemabahamas242@gmail.com or visit their Website: www.nema.gov.bs.

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Letter The Case for lifting restrictions in Eleuthera

Shopping at Burchie’s (North Eleuthera Shopping Center) in The Bluff, where protective sneeze guard barriers have been erected for the safety of employees and customers.

The Government of The Bahamas made an excellent, and very difficult, decision when they shut down the air and sea ports in Eleuthera to inter-island and international arrivals. That move has almost certainly protected us from the Corona virus being introduced to our island and to similar other family islands such as Exuma, Cat Cay etc. However, unless the government is hiding something, (and I don’t believe that to be the case), then there has not been one single positive case of the virus detected in Eleuthera to date.

The isolation that the family islands often experience, and that sometimes works to our detriment has, in this instance, worked in our favour. Due to the difference in the incidence of exposure, the Family Islands need to be evaluated differently than Nassau when it comes to the application of restrictions. It is now the beginning of May. Health professionals around the world are quite unified in their opinion that persons who are infected with this disease will present symptoms generally within 2 to 3 weeks of contracting the disease.

In Eleuthera, and indeed in the entire country, we have been under some form of local restriction for over 6 weeks now. As there have been no new arrivals to Eleuthera in the past 6 weeks, and it is apparent that no-one currently on the island has contracted the virus or displayed symptoms since late March, then it would seem quite safe to say that there are no cases of the Corona virus here on Eleuthera.

If that is indeed true, then just who are we protecting ourselves from with the continued restrictions on local activity? Unfortunately, allowing any new arrivals to the island won’t be an option until a reliable test with immediate test results is developed and implemented at our points of entry. As a test like this currently doesn’t exist, it will likely be many months, at the very least, before we can admit new arrivals. In the meantime, as the health risk here in Eleuthera would seem to be negligible, it’s imperative that the local economy is freed up to operate as best we can in the absence of tourists. People still need to earn a living where possible and to be able to feed their families.

It’s an undeniable fact that the removal of restrictions is going to have to occur at some stage. While the introduction of the curfew, lockdown, business closures etc were a very necessary precaution, my argument is that the time for the removal of those restrictions here in Eleuthera is now.

Perry Attfield Rainbow Bay

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Somes Churches make immediate use of Government’s Approval of “Drive Up” Services Following the government’s announcement on Friday, May 22nd, that churches in Eleuthera were allowed to hold ‘drive up’ services, as of Sunday, May 24th, a number of churches took advantage and resumed the fellowship of members and visitors on their church grounds.

Pastors Orlando and Clarice Thompson of Global Outreach Ministries, located in James’ Cistern, Central Eleuthera hosted their morning service from 11am until 12 noon on Sunday morning, and at the end of the service, the church’s praise and worship team could be seen fully enjoying the time of fellowship in song.

“This has been a red letter day for us,” shared Pastor Orlando. “My wife and I have been doing live streaming every Sunday morning and Tuesday

night during the week. This is the first time since the public emergency was announced that we’ve had the opportunity to have our congregation together on site. To see our praise team, our young budding musicians, technical staff, members and attendees all on the ground - we will take that any day.”

He added, smiling, “We were out there, with the mosquitoes, and sweating real good on the outdoors, as we now head into summer, but we give God praise that we are now able to see each other. We can’t give them a hug and kiss like before, but we are grateful to God for the opportunity for us to once again be able to gather.

There is nothing like fellowship, as the Bible says - it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity - so we felt the virtue of it today.”

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COVID-19: Additional Family Islands cleared to resume commercial activity, relaxation of more measures, Eleuthera excluded

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.

During a national address on Sunday, May 17th, 2020, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced the resumption of commercial activity on the islands of Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros and the further relaxation of measures related to exercise and certain business and service operating hours.

On Monday 18th May, Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros joined the southern islands of Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island and Rum Cay which have been cleared as part of a gradual re-opening of the Family Islands.

Notably, the island of Eleuthera, along with several others, which had also recorded no confirmed cases of COVID-19 to-date were excluded from resuming commercial activity, with no explanation given.

The Prime Minister, however, did voice a reprimand, citing a funeral motorcade event in South Eleuthera seen on social media, leaving an impression that the exclusion was for reasons other than the health status of the island.

The 24-hour curfew and lockdowns remain in effect for the cleared islands.

While The Bahamas remains in Phase 1B of the five-phase economic and social re-opening plan, the Government has started to introduce components of Phase 2, the Prime Minister said in a televised live CO-

VID-19 National Address on Sunday 17 May. “As we continue to make progress, we will act on the advice of health officials on the phased and gradual reopening of various islands and certain areas of our economy, as well as a new normal for daily life that will be with us for some time,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

As a part of the gradual re-opening, construction companies on New Providence and Grand Bahama are now allowed to operate on Saturdays from 7am to 1pm, in. addition to weekday operations.

To facilitate hurricane preparedness, home and hardware stores will now also be allowed to operate in-store hours on Mondays, 8am to 8pm. This also applies to manufacturers of hurricane-proof windows and other hurricane-related products, said Prime Minister Minnis.

Pharmacies may now operate from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday for the general public, and Saturday 9am to 5pm for essential workers only.

Also, exercise measures have been further relaxed during the weekend lockdowns. Exercise may now take place on Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. in one’s immediate neighbourhood.

On those Family Islands allowed to resume commercial activity, residents will be allowed to catch crabs for themselves and for sale during the evenings of weekday curfew and weekend lockdowns.

The Prime Minister also announced that the Government is well advanced in its planning for the beginning of the re-opening of the country’s tourism sector and to allow for travel in and out of The Bahamas.

“Our resorts, our airports and our seaports are finalizing the health and safety protocols that will be necessary for us to provide for a re-opening,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

“Taking into account what is being done within the region and around the world, these extensive guidelines will be designed to provide for reasonable assurance that travel and leisure is generally safe.”

The Prime Minister said that any such re-opening to commercial-scale traffic will also be dependent on the ongoing stabilization of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Bahamas.

It will also only be applied to those islands where the outbreak has been contained.

As of now, the Government is looking at a possible opening date for commercial travel on or before 1 July, said Prime Minister Minnis.

These dates may change depending on the circumstances, he noted.

“I want to repeat however that this date is not final. It will be adjusted if we see a deterioration in the COVID-19 infection trends or if we determine that the protocols and procedures are not in place sufficiently to warrant an opening,” said the Prime Minister.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister.

Commonwealth of The Bahamas Updates as they occur: www.EleutheraNews.com

OFFICIAL STATEMENT K. Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance cautions on fake news reports regarding foreign reserves The Ministry of Finance wishes to advise the public that reports of the Government “running out of money” are false. Further, the Bahamian dollar is not facing devaluation threat.

Our economy has not survived and thrived for so long because of good fortune. As a country, we have historically taken a very prudent approach to fiscal and monetary policy to protect ourselves in situations like the emergency we face today. The Country’s foreign reserves are managed by the capable hands of the Bahamian professionals at the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The Central Bank has an exemplary record that should instill confidence in every Bahamian.

Since the COVID-19 crisis, the Central Bank has taken several preemptive steps to shore up our reserves, and they will continue to take necessary action as needed. I echo the Central Bank’s statement today, indicating that monetary policies have already taken into consideration vital local needs, and any reports of devaluation threats are entirely misleading and without merit.

The Government will continue to take the necessary steps to stabilize the economy and support the Central Bank in its mandate to preserve the integrity of the Bahamian dollar.

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Top Eleuthera Primary Students To Be Recognized at the 24th Annual Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Awards Eleven bright student nominees from primary schools throughout the Eleuthera District, have been selected to participate in the 24th Annual Primary School Student of the Year 2020 Awards ceremony.

The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation, announced that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they still plan to recognize their 2020 nominees.

The original awards event date of May 23rd was postponed, and the Foundation now looks to host their 2020 Awards Ceremony in July.

112 primary school students from all over the Bahamas are vying for the top position of Primary School Student of the Year as well as individual scholarship awards.

Kelisha Rolle

Arianna McIntosh

Carson Charlow

Nacassiah Armbrister

Devano Miller

Ava Charles

Jaedawn Fritz

Kelsey Farquharson Jr.

Mitchell Wilson

Najhee Symonette

Jadon Culmer

Already winners, chosen as the top all around student in both academics and extracurricular activities in their schools on the island, each of the eleven students who participate represents the best and brightest sixth graders within The Eleutheras.

The eleven Eleutheran primary school nominees, include: Arianna McIntosh of Samuel Guy Pinder All Age; Ava Charles of Laura Anderson Primary; Carson Charlow of Emily G. Petty Primary; Devano Miller of Deep Creek Primary; Jadon Culmer of Emma E. Cooper Primary; Jaedawn Fritz of P. A. Gibson Primary; Kelisha Rolle of Wemyss Bight Primary; Kelsey Farquharson Jr of Harbour Island All Age; Mitchell WIlson of Gregory Town Primary; Nacassiah Armbrister of Rock Sound Primary; and Nahjee Symonette of Tarpum Bay Primary.

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The Repatriation of Citizens & Residents Overseas, Resumed A second round of repatriation of Bahamians and residents, who had remained abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions, resumed with arrivals home on Thursday, May 21st, and Saturday, May 23rd, 2020.

Following a May 8th repatriation flight, which had on board, a passenger who had produced a Covid-19 positive lab test result, Prime Minister Minnis, in a May 10th national address, had announced a temporary suspension of repatriation flights, pending an investigation of the incident and a review of repatriation travel protocols.

Bahamas Ministry of Health officials on May 12th released a statement saying that the passenger in question had been tested twice upon arrival with both samples returning a negative result, and were satisfied that the passenger had not posed a risk to other passengers traveling on the same aircraft. During a May 17th national address, Prime Minister Minnis announced that repatriation flights would be resumed later the same week.

After the arrival of the May 23rd flight, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the following release: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform members of the

general public that the repatriation flight of 23 May was successful in returning 135 nationals and residents, as well as three infants, to The Bahamas.

The Bahamasair flight, which originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, first touched down in Grand Bahama, where 60 persons disembarked. Thereafter, it flew to New Providence, where the remainder of the persons disembarked.

The Consul-General and staff members of The Bahamas Consulate, Miami, were present at the airport in Fort Lauderdale to monitor the process until the flight departed.

Also present were two Doctors from the Ministry of Health who verified the COVID-19 test results. Returning nationals and residents were met in Grand Bahama and New Providence

by Government Officials, inclusive of Senior Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

All returning nationals and residents were taken to the Government Quarantine Facilities in both Grand Bahama and New Providence, where assessments took place to determine who would be placed in quarantine and who would be permitted to selfquarantine. With respect to those placed in the Government Quarantine Facilities, there are 14 persons in the Grand Bahama facility and 42 in the New Providence facility, respectively.

The Ministry will continue to provide the general public with regular updates through regular and social media, as well as via the websites of The Bahamas Overseas Offices.

In the interim, nationals and residents who are displaced abroad and wishing to return home are reminded to send their full contact information in The Bahamas (address and phone number) in advance to the Ministry of Health at covid19travel@ bahamasogov.bs.

This will enable the Ministry of Health to make an early determination regarding full quarantine or self-quarantine. If the determination cannot be done in advance, persons will be placed automatically in a government quarantine facility.

If nationals and residents plan to return home on Bahamasair, the COVID 19 test result

should also be sent in advance of the travel date to covid19@bahamasair. com.

Nationals and residents are also reminded to register with the nearest Bahamas Overseas Office and to listen out for flight details should they become available. The addresses of the Overseas Offices can be found at mofa.gov.bs.

Source: Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs PHOTOS CAPTION -- The second round of repatriation of Bahamians and residents, who had remained abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions, resumed with arrivals home on

Thursday, May 21, and Saturday, May 23, 2020. Arrivals from Ft. Lauderdale on a rainy Saturday night are pictured at LPIA as they prepare to board governmentprovided transportation to quarantine facilities. There were 60 passengers transported to Freeport, and 79 passengers to Nassau. (BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Follow Online Daily Ministry of Health DASHBOARD Link: http://eleutheranews.com/?p=22184 As of Monday, May 25th, 2020 the Bahamas had 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 11 deaths.

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Reverse Osmosis Facility Starts Producing Potable Water for North Eleuthera ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas -- The Water & Sewerage Corporation (WSC) announced the commenced production of water at its newest reverse osmosis facility, on, May 11, 2020 in North Eleuthera.

Executive Chairman of the Water & Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson stated, “the corporation’s thrust remains the provisioning of safe and affordable water for Bahamians throughout the archipelago. We continue to strive to provide world class service and seek to extend our supply to islands and communities that do not yet have piped potable water and/or sewer services.

“Over the weekend, and following inspections and sign-off, I directed the start up of the Bogue (North Eleuthera) Facility. Sometime after 7:00 a.m. today, the new plant began producing water for thousands of residents in North Eleuthera (Upper Bogue, Lower Bogue, Current, Bluff), Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and Russell Island.”

The new, multi-million dollar facility features a 650,000 imperial gallons per day reverse osmosis unit, with a fully automated system and back up generators.

This plant will provide a sustainable and reliable supply of desalinated water for public consumption.

The new facility in Eleuthera is the largest on the Family Islands, and third largest overall.

The executive chairman noted, special recognition is made of RO contractor, Suez/Aqua Design.

He continued, the people of North Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and Russell Island will see substantial improvement in their water over the coming days. This plant, coupled with nearly 30 other WSC projects carried out on Eleuthera since 2017, lends to major infrastructural upgrades. It also provides for the expansion of business and industry in North Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, Harbour Island and Russell Island.

“We look forward to formally commissioning the new plant upon the passage of COVID 19,” said Mr. Gibson. “WSC remains committed to quality and to growth.”

STATEMENT: European Commission Publication of List of High Risk Jurisdictions with Strategic Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML-CFT) Deficiencies The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) deplores the latest attack by the European Commission on the economic well-being of some of our Member States who were named on 7th May 2020, in a list of third countries with strategic Anti-Money Laundering/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies, and which would therefore be subject to enhanced due diligence measures by European Union (EU) States.

This list, which includes four (4) CARICOM Member States was published despite the European Council, in objecting to a list submitted for approval last year, concluding that the Commission’s submission was “not established in a transparent and resilient process that actively incentivises affected countries to take decisive action while also respecting their right to be heard.”

Impacted countries were neither informed nor consulted prior to this month’s publication.

The Commission’s unilateral actions are

therefore contrary to the principles of transparency and consultation reflected in the Council’s conclusion, as well as its own assertions about its Revised Methodology which advocates prior engagement with third countries, as outlined in its press release announcing the new list.

It should be noted that of the four CARICOM States included in the Commission’s list, one has been delisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global AML/CFT standard-setting body, since February 2020, and the other three Member States had already entered into agreed Action Plans with the FATF/ CFATF. Moreover, the Commission has published the list of high risk jurisdictions, even as its Action Plan for a Comprehensive Union policy on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing is still being subject to stakeholder consultation that will conclude by July 2020.

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PM Minnis Welcomes a New Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis officially welcomed Commodore, Dr. Raymond King as the eighth Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force during a Change of Command Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

During the military ceremony held at HMBS Coral Harbour base, the Prime Minister also thanked outgoing Commander, Commodore Tellis Bethel for his “dedicated leadership and devoted service in helping to maintain the peace and security of our nation” during his long career on the RBDF. Before the official acknowledgement as Commodore, Dr. Raymond King, 52, previously served as the Defence Force’s Deputy Commander and Acting Commander, and as Port Controller of The Bahamas.

Newly installed, Commodore Dr. Raymond King.

“This experience affords him a wealth of administrative and operational experience,” the Prime Minister said.

Following his formative education experience, Commodore Dr. King obtained an Associate’s of Science Degree in Accounting Management, A Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Administration and Accounting, a Master’s of Business Degree, and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Leadership and Management.

Serving on a number of national boards and committees, Commodore Dr. King also served as the Admiralty Marshall for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and trained at international naval institutions such as the Britannia Royal Naval College, the Inter-American Defence College, the United States Naval War College, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Commodore, Dr. Raymond King with Governor General Cornelius Smith.

Outgoing Commander, Commodore Tellis Bethel.

“Your service as Commander comes at a critical time for our nation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Prime Minister told Commodore Dr. King. “You have assumed command as the nation is still in the reconstruction phase in Abaco, the Abaco Cays, and Grand Bahama after one of the most powerful hurricanes ever in our region.”

The Prime Minister observed that the country would rely on Commodore Dr. King for his experience, commitment and leadership during these extraordinary times.

“You must continue to set the standard of excellence in leadership, integrity and innovation in guarding our heritage and protecting our borders,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.

Written By: Lindsay Thompson / (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

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One Eleuthera Foundation Rolls Out Virtual Campus Pilot Programme - Readies for Summer 2020 Launch

Dariana Michel is one of thirty participants of the One Eleuthera Foundation’s Virtual Campus pilot programme that launched on May 18, 2020.

The One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) has responded to the increased demand for E-learning courses with a two phase rollout of its One Eleuthera Virtual Learning Platform. As a Partner in Educa-

tion, their Centre For Training and Innovation (CTI) will be the custodian of OEF’s Virtual Campus.

When COVID-19 created the opportunity for more people to participate in online learning, the Centre For Training and Innova-

tion pivoted quickly to address this demand. They moved up the platform’s roll out date by four months to May 18, 2020 with a phase one test pilot program. Thirty trial participants located in various parts of Eleuthera were earmarked to sign up for various courses. They will interact with the platform, complete their courses over a two week period, and offer feedback. Phase two will be implemented in the summer of 2020.

CTI’s new virtual platform has been a catalyst that has allowed a flow of creativity and innovation in business, education and enterprise for CTI and its partners. It was also an opportunity to further offer support to the people of Eleuthera and The Bahamas.

CEO of the One Eleuthera Foundation, Shaun Ingraham shares, “For the past eight months, part of our mission at One Eleuthera focused on assisting with Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts.

Kevin Hepburn

Mike Lightbourn

Syretta Neely

Woodrow Hall

Five of the thirty cohort for the pilot programme of the One Eleuthera Foundation’s Virtual Campus rollout were captured signing in or starting their courses on the OEF e-learning platform. They will participate in a two-week course and provide feedback before the official launch of the virtual campus for the summer of 2020. Those learners are: Dariana Michel, Mike Lightbourn, Woodrow Hall, Syretta Neely and Kevin Hepburn. Photos provided by the participants. Mike Lightbourn who is the manager of the Farm at CTI is one of the thirty participants of the One Eleuthera Foundation’s Virtual Campus pilot programme that launched May 18, 2020.

We were active in relocating residents of Abaco to Eleuthera and providing many programmes that positively supported them. This included housing, food, employment and getting adults and children resettled. We have now transitioned our efforts to assisting persons and front line workers affected by COVID-19. We are happy that our virtual platform is an opportunity for persons to strengthen their knowledge and skillsets.”

Despite having the country under lockdown, OEF was cognizant of creating a harmonious balance for instructors and students and the right use of technology to reach as many people as possible. Leading this e-learning initiative is Banu Devi, OEF’s Academic Dean who has worked in Malaysia and The Bahamas. She has over 25 years of experience in technology and higher education. Devi indicated that plans for a virtual campus started in the Fall of 2019. “We brought forward the introduction of the OEF Virtual Campus, even faster than what we had initially planned, and we are really appreciative of the persons who have worked hard to make it happen.”

This summer, phase two is set to launch with an offering of over 200 courses ranging in areas such as Career Development, Business Skills, Information Technology, Soft Skills, Workplace Essentials, Small Business Training for Entrepreneurs, Human Resources, Internet Marketing and Sales and Marketing.

Additions will include training courses for instructors who have not taught online where they can learn about effective methodologies and tips for online teaching.

A number of online trade based specialised courses are also being developed and it is anticipated that these courses will soon be made available. Other courses will address Workforce Readiness and will target young professionals interested in skills training and career development.

Knowing that the world as we knew it will never be the same, One Eleuthera’s

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New budget promises to deliver social protection and economic stability MINISTER: ‘Expect COVID-19 to weigh heavily on revenue and expenditure estimates’ MAY 24, 2020: As the Government prepares for the presentation of the upcoming Budget Communication, the Ministry of Finance advises the public to follow its social media pages and subscribe to its mailing list to receive the latest information about the 2020/21 Annual Budget.

“Given the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and the state of the global economy, this is going to be an understandably unprecedented budget, and the Ministry of Finance will once again engage in public education around the annual budget to ensure the Bahamian people and all of our stakeholders are properly informed about the budget plan and all of its key elements,” said K. Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

“We are not going to sugar coat the realities we face, as they have factored heavily on our decisions.

We are going to be clear about our priorities, and what I can say about that, at this time, is that we will make proper provisions to protect the health and safety of Bahamians and residents and to provide sufficient social support; we will do what we must to stabilize the domestic economy, to maximize employment, and to transform this crisis into opportunity for our future recovery.

As part of its public education plan, the Ministry of Finance will publish several supporting documents and visual tools to simplify the budget and improve public access to non-technical budget information.

“Governments have an important role to play and

a responsibility to fulfill in times of crisis like these, and we are clear on what needs to be done to restore our people and rebuild the nation. We do not want communication to be a barrier to the public accessing the essential programs that will be available in the new fiscal year,” said Minister Turnquest.

“Just as we have committed to provide ongoing economic support for Hurricane Dorian victims, we are committed to providing ongoing economic support for the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for these programs has been clear over the past three months, and in our assessment, the ongoing need to protect the health, safety and social welfare of Bahamians, and to further stabilize the economy is clear,” said Minister Turnquest.

To support the COVID-19 response for a 3-month period, the Government allocated just over $120 million for compassionate initiatives in March. These programs provided support for the public health system, food assistance and other social services to vulnerable Bahamians, and included grants and subsidized loans for small businesses, direct cash assistance for unemployment to Bahamians to provide partial income replacement, and payroll support for large employers in the form of tax credits and deferrals to prevent further layoffs.

“We know the demand is still there for these programs, and I can assure Bahamians that in the new Budget we are making adequate provisions to ensure no Bahamian goes hungry. We are prioritizing the needs of vulnerable Bahamians who are depending on our support and protection,” said Minister Turnquest.

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As of mid-May, the National Insurance Board paid out some $28.7 million in unemployment benefits to approximately 26,000 claimants.

CEO does not hide his excitement for the innovative steps the Foundation is taking. “The OEF Virtual Platform is an opportunity for connecting and strengthening our communities, and allows persons to grow and develop in their professional and personal lives,” said Ingraham.

For the first set of participants in the pilot programme getting their online course was an easy click and they have joined another historical moment in the progressive life of The One Eleuthera Foundation. Inquiries about the OEF Virtual Campus can be done by contacting the

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Additionally, NIB issued $6.2 million in payments to approximately 6,100 recipients of the Government’s unemployment assistance initiative for self-employed individuals impacted by COVID-19.

The Government approved $5.7 million in tax relief that went directly to support payroll expenses for non-executive employees at 76 large employers. These companies represent over 6,500 non-executive employees, who may have otherwise been laid off, with the assistance of the Governments Tax Credit and Deferral Program.

As of mid-May, the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and its financing partners had approved $19.4 million in funding to 283 small businesses taking advantage of the Government subsidized business continuity program. Approximately $3.7 million of this total has already been disbursed to approved businesses, which have been able to use the funds to cover operational expenses, including payroll. The SBDC is working expeditiously to disburse the remaining approved funds, which will take place in due course.

For the latest news and updates on the Annual Budget, follow the Ministry of Finance on social media and subscribe to the mailing list on the budget website.

SOURCE: Central Communications Unit The Ministry of Finance

academic director via email at banudevi@oneeleuthera.org.

The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit, training and business enterprise institution on Eleuthera. They encourage growth and development for learners to become better citizens and to contribute to building a vibrant economy for the island of Eleuthera and The Bahamas. More information is available on www.oneeleuthera. org/projects/CTI.

The One Eleuthera Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2012 to identify, invest in and strengthen projects that improve the island of Eleuthera and further its economic, environmental and social development. Additionally, they support projects on other islands like New Providence and in the wider Bahamas. One Eleuthera operates a foundation in The Bahamas and one in the USA and is a successful NGO. More information is available on www. oneeleuthera.org.

Banu Devi

Phase one of the One Eleuthera Virtual Campus Pilot Programme was rolled out on May 18, 2020 - led by OEF Academic Dean, Banu Devi, who has 25 years of experience in technology and higher education. She commented, “We brought forward the introduction of the OEF Virtual Campus, even faster than what we had initially planned, and we are really appreciative of the persons who have worked hard to make it happen.” Phase two includes the launch of over 200 courses available in the summer of 2020.

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Environmental Advocate:

‘New Economy Lies in Our Own Back Yard’ Joseph Darville, Save The Bays Chairman.

Days before The Bahamas entered the first phase of a shuttered economy, awardwinning civic leader and environmental advocate Joseph Darville predicted that when the world emerged at the other side of the deadly pandemic, Bahamians would discover that the new economy “lies in our own back yard.”

“For too long, we in The Bahamas have existed on parasitic or artificial and ephemeral means of gaining wealth…ship wrecking, gun running, rum running, drug running, even people running or human smuggling,” said Darville, who was addressing participants at a 3-day conference on climate resilience at the University of The Bahamas.

“All of these fleeting elements opening doors to temporary wealth could vanish in a moment, and then how will you survive? You are blessed with a relatively small population, and with natural resources to create untold weath.”

Darville, chairman of Save The Bays, a Director of Waterkeeper Bahamas and a certified climate change trainer, urged the audience to consider what was before their very eyes, especially in islands hit by Hurricane Dorian.

“Are you mindful of the great treausre you can obtain from the thousands of acres of pines compromised in Abaco and Grand Bahama by Dorian?” the former educator and past vice-president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers asked the audience.

“They are there for the easy harvesting to aid in your recovery and bring you necessary assistance for your future safety. What a ready-made industry at your doorstep.

Quit thinking that all good things come from abroad. If a foreign land were more favourable, my creator would have placed you there. Why isn’t there use being made of our thousands of acres of palmento palms?

Years ago, on our family of islands, these

were the choice to cover the roofs of our homes and they are still the choice for the artistic creations by our many artisans.”

Construction of fine wooden homes with true craftsmanship and the use of Abaco or Caribbean pine will jumpstart an industry and generate jobs, he noted. Careful harvesting of crops of the sea from by-products of sand to marine life while allowing closed seasons for reproduction and obeying rules of marine protected areas that follow mother nature’s path can create wealth for every Bahamian.

From sturdy pine for building houses and boats to fruits of the trees that provide nectars and natural medicines, The Bahamas, said Darville, is blessed with economic opportunities too often overlooked by a population accustomed to buying what someone else produced and shipped.

“Why can’t every citizen in this glorious archipelago be forever abounding in wealth and comfort?” he asked. And nothing, he said, was closer to “our own backyard in building wealth” than the sun, wind and water to generate power “We are blessed with yearround sunshine and yet we continue to use fossil fuels to generate power when much of the rest of the world, including countries with only a fraction of our bounty in sunshine, are moving toward 100% renewables,” said Darville, who trained under climate change pioneer former US Vice President Al Gore.

“It is called fossil fuel for a reason. The oil that we extract from the earth is harvested by smashing through thousands of years of formation that includes the bones of human and animal bodies so when you think about turning on

a light and that light is not driven by a renewable, I want you to stop and think about the bodies that created that power.”

Challenges like Dorian and COVID-19 open doors to opportunities and increased economic independence, said Darville, who predicted that more Bahamians will start backyard farming and he hopes that Dorian taught people on Family Islands the importance of learning to swim and the need to build boats.

“We humans,” he said, “should learn from trees. When disaster strikes and a hurricane hits, the strong trees revive. We can emerge with a new economy built on what has been before our eyes for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Maybe it took Dorian and COVID to make us appreciate how important our own natural resources are to our future and our well-being as a people.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Save The Bays Chairman Joseph Darville inspecting oil spill at Clifton Bay a few years ago - says Dorian and COVID-19 helped open eyes of Bahamians to the vast resources of lumber, marine life, fruit-bearing trees and renewable energy to drive a new economy, including less dependence on fossil fuels that can lead to oil spills like the above.

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Open for Business cont’d

marketing to administrative and operations.

This laser-like focus on team development and sharpening of organizational standards and protocol saw immediate results.

Since March, the company’s sales and administrative teams have gathered on weekly calls to sharpen their professional skills via the Ninja Selling course; and, attended biweekly Sotheby’s International Realty® training webinars.

“One of the most significant differentiators as a real estate brand is this incredible network of Sotheby’s International Realty® agents and marketing experts that we tapped into to gain invaluable insight into the best way forward post-COVID, and how to navigate the downturn of business caused by the pandemic,” Damianos said.

Damianos added that critical details from these calls were then incorporated into compelling marketing and sales strategies in the form of email marketing campaigns, corpo-

rate communications and a ramped-up social media presence.

From a back-office perspective, administration staff supported agents from home as they responded to international inquiries, prepared listing agreements, built brochures, fielded offers and closed sales.

The accounting department also worked remotely paying client and company invoices.

“I am utterly impressed with how we came together as a team in this time of crisis,” Damianos said. “This quarantine has offered us the remarkable opportunity to connect more frequently and deeply as a team to exchange ideas and best practices. We are proud of the way our team has stepped up to support and encourage each other and build upon their already-impressive talents and skill sets.”

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Open for Business. Starting Monday, May 25, the Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty team began working from their offices throughout The Bahamas from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CARICOM’s Trade and Economic Council approves strategy for the re-opening of regional economies The fiftieth meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) this week approved a strategy for the re-opening of economies in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Council which is made up of Trade Ministers and officials agreed to a framework centered on the development and adherence to defined metrics related to the Covid-19 virus, which will guide in the reopening process.

The strategy recommends a graduated model which sees governments relaxing restrictions in a deliberate, phased and incremental manner based on the transmission risk profile of the pandemic in specified geographical locations, sectors or businesses.

The framework suggests establishing a national public private con-

sultative mechanism to govern the relaunch of economic activity at the Member State level; minimum standards which must be attained before relaxation of restrictions and communications to build public trust. There is also the proposal for Certificates of Operation to be issued to businesses that have been verified to be compliant in the protocols established for the industry.

The fiftieth meeting of COTED held virtually yesterday, 6 May 2020 was chaired by the Grenada Minister of Economic Development, Trade, Planning and Labour, the Honourable Oliver Joseph; with Ministerial representation from most CARICOM Member States. The Premier of Montserrat, the Honourable Joseph E. Farrell also attended the meeting as well as representatives from the public and private sectors.

32 www. EleutheraNews . com

ILO issues guidance for safe, healthy, return to work during COVID-19 Return to work policies should be informed by a human-centred approach that puts rights and international labour standards at the heart of economic, social and environmental strategies and ensures that policy guidance is embedded in national occupational safety and health systems.

Press release | 22 May 2020 (ILO News) – Two guidance documents for creating safe and effective return-to-work conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Guidance Note says that return to work policies need to be informed by a humancentred approach that puts peoples’ rights at the heart of economic, social and environmental policies. Social dialogue – bringing together governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations – will be critical in creating the effective policies and trust needed for a safe return to work.

The note draws on specialist ILO guidance documents and International Labour Standards, which provide a normative framework for creating a safe return to work. The document stresses that policy guidance should be embedded into national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems, as these create the basis for safe workplace environments. The guidance can therefore contribute to a culture of continuous, country-level improvement, in administration, institutions, laws and regulations, labour inspections, information gathering, and other areas.

Workers must feel safe at their workplaces, both from risks directly related to COVID-19, and indirect risks, including psychosocial issues and ergonomic risks related to working in awkward positions or with poor facilities when working from home, the guidelines say. They

n at i on a l should have the right to remove themselves from any situation “which they have reasonable justification to believe presents an imminent and serious danger to their life or health”, and “shall be protected from any undue consequences”.

The document proposes that each specific work setting, job or group of jobs should be assessed before returning to work and that preventive measures should be implemented to ensure the safety and health of all workers according to a hierarchy of controls. For workers staying at home, the risk of infection in a work context can be eliminated; for all workers returning to workplaces, priority should be given to options that substitute hazardous situations for less hazardous ones, such as organizing virtual instead of physical meetings.

When this is not possible a mix of engineering and organizational control measures will usually be required to prevent contagion, The specific measures to implement are specific to each workplace, but may consist of installing physical barriers such as clear plastic sneeze guards, improving ventilation, or adopting flexible working hours, in addition to cleaning and hygiene practices. The guidelines also recall that the use of appropriate personal protective equipment may be required to complement other measures, in particular for the most hazardous occupations, and that this equipment should be provided without cost to workers.

The needs of workers at higher risk of severe illness should be taken into account; including older workers, pregnant workers, those with pre-existing medical conditions, refugees, migrants and those in the informal sector.

Special attention will be needed to ensure that return to work policies do not create discrimination related to gender, health status, or other factors.

“Unsafe work practices anywhere are a threat to both health and sustainable business, everywhere. So, before returning to work, workers must be confident that they will not be exposed to undue risks,” said Deborah Greenfield, ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Policy.

“And, to help enterprises and economies get going as soon as possible, workers will need to cooperate with these new measures. This means that social dialogue will be particularly important because it is the most effective way to feed information and views into policies and actions, so creating the best chance for a swift and balanced recovery.”

The Guidance Note, A safe and healthy return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic , is accompanied by a 10-point, Practical Guidance action checklist for employers, workers and their representatives. This tool is intended to compliment and not replace national occupational safety and health regulations and guidance, to help establish the practical details of a safe return to work.

FIND THE DOCUMENT ONLINE AT: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safetyand-health-at-work/resources-library/publications/WCMS_745549/lang--en/index.htm

May/June, 2020

ILO: As job losses escalate, nearly half of global workforce at risk of losing livelihoods GENEVA (ILO News) – The continued sharp decline in working hours globally due to the COVID-19 outbreak means that 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy – that is nearly half of the global workforce – stand in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed, warns the International Labour Organization.

According to the ILO Monitor third edition: COVID-19 and the world of work, the drop in working hours in the current (second) quarter of 2020 is expected to be significantly worse than previously estimated.

Compared to pre-crisis levels (Q4 2019), a 10.5 per cent deterioration is now expected, equivalent to 305 million full-time jobs (assuming a 48-hour working week).

The previous estimate was for a 6.7 per cent drop, equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. This is due to the prolongation and extension of lockdown measures.

Regionally, the situation has worsened for all major regional groups. Estimates suggest a 12.4 per cent loss of working hours in Q2 for the Americas (compared to pre-crisis levels) and 11.8 per cent for Europe and Central Asia. The estimates for the rest of the regional groups follow closely and are all above 9.5 per cent.

Informal economy impact As a result of the economic crisis created by the pandemic, almost 1.6 billion informal economy workers (representing the most vulnerable in the labour market), out of a worldwide total of two billion and a global workforce of 3.3 billion, have suffered massive damage to their capacity to earn a living. This is due to lockdown measures and/or because they work in the hardest-hit sectors.

The first month of the crisis is estimated to have resulted in a drop of 60 per cent in the income of informal workers globally. This translates into a drop of 81 per cent in Africa and the Americas, 21.6 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, and 70 per cent in Europe and Central Asia.

Without alternative income sources, these workers and their families will have no means to survive.

Enterprises at risk

The proportion of workers living in countries under recommended or required workplace closures has decreased from 81 to 68 per cent over the last two weeks.

The decline from the previous estimate of 81 per cent in the second edition of the monitor (published April 7) is primarily a result of changes in China; elsewhere workplace closure measures have increased.

Worldwide, more than 436 million enterprises face high risks of serious disruption. These enterprises are operating in the hardest-hit economic sectors, including some 232 million in wholesale and retail, 111

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PANDEMIC! By: Andrew L. Burrows

We have survived the lockdown, now we ask the question - WAS IT NECESSARY - and were lives saved because of it? The whole charade was a copycat drama! I do not wish to demean the value of those lives that were lost due to the infection, but did the amount of collateral damage done to the BAHAMAS justify the dictatorship, marshal law, action taken?

When you do not know the answer and you copy from someone else who also does not know, does that make you right? Time has a way of proving you wrong! You did what everyone else did but all were wrong! Go home, lock yourself in and stay there until you are told you can come out if you fit the criteria? Where has common sense disappeared to?

We should have been encouraged

to tidy up our home and workplace, eat healthy food, and get as much sunlight and exercise as possible, take long walks and most of all go to the parks and beaches. We should have been doing what we neglected to do in the past. But no, we copy and learn later that we were wrong. Great harm has been done to the economy of this and most other countries. The question we are now facing is “where do we go from here”? The Bahamas no longer have an “economy”! We are totally reliant on “Tourism” and with all travel totally restricted, what do we do as an alternative in the short or long term?

Eleuthera and most of the rest of the Bahamas had no known cases of the “plague”, yet we were treated in the same way as those three locations that had known cases. How can such unintelligent,

million in manufacturing, 51 million in accommodation and food services, and 42 million in real estate and other business activities.

Urgent policy measures needed

The ILO calls for urgent, targeted and flexible measures to support workers and businesses, particularly smaller enterprises, those in the informal economy and others who are vulnerable.

“For millions of workers, no income means no food, no security and no future. [...] As the pandemic and the jobs crisis evolve, the need to protect the most vulnerable becomes even more urgent.”

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General Measures for economic reactivation should follow a job-rich approach, backed by stronger employment policies and institutions, better-resourced and comprehensive social protection systems. International co-ordination on stimulus packages and debt relief measures will also be critical to making recovery effective and sustainable. International labour standards, which already enjoy tripartite consensus, can provide a framework.

“As the pandemic and the jobs crisis evolve, the need to protect the most vulnerable becomes even more urgent,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “For millions of workers, no income means no food, no security and no future. Millions of businesses around the world are barely breathing. They have no savings or access to credit. These are the real faces of the world of work. If we don’t help them now, they will simply perish.”

heavy handed, dictatorship actions be accepted as justifiable? The Bahamas is already in financial straits as a result of last year’s hurricane Dorian, and now this! Who is going to repay the debt we have created?

If we were the only country affected, we could call on others to assist us, but all the other countries are in the same state as us.

The disease was not the “pandemic” - the actions taken to appear to protect us all from what we were not knowledgeable of is what we must now live with! Inflation, job losses, closed businesses, missed medical appointments, depleted savings, and a host of other possible effects are the results of copying what you do not know. So where do we go from here?

We were prevented from expressing our religious freedom at a time when that is a most impor-

andrewburrows1@gmail.com

tant option, but God is in control, not man, and we have been put to the test to see where our faith really lies. When you claim to love God, but look to Man for your salvation, you are destined for disappointment. We must now look to God for our direction. Read Psalm #2.

CHTA Warns Some CARIBBEAN HOTELS could Collapse if some TOUR OPERATORS DON’T PAY MONIES OWED MIAMI (May 3, 2020) - Citing the unprecedented pressures facing Caribbean hotels and resorts because of the coronavirus pandemic, the head of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) called on those international tour operators which have delayed paying hotels for services delivered to the operators’ clients as early as January to expedite reimbursements.

Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of CHTA, in a letter to major trade organizations representing the bulk of tour operators that do business with the Caribbean, asserted that 69 percent of hotels report that they have not been receiving timely reimbursements from tour operators for services provided during the first quarter of 2020. The average amount owed to hotels by tour operators is US$219,000 per hotel, “with a number of hotels reporting outstanding amounts in excess of $1 million and one hotel being out-of-pocket $15 million,” Comito reported.

Noting the global crisis was threatening the survival of many Caribbean properties, particularly the small- and mid-sized independent properties, which are a staple element of tour operators’ busiP41 ness, Comito wrote: “We have become alarmed in recent

34 www. EleutheraNews . com

n e a r by

World No-Tobacco Day Awards recognizes advancements in Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela 22 May 2020 Washington D.C., May 22, 2020 (PAHO) -- World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Awards for 2020 are being presented to three Bolivian institutions, three Mexican ministries, the Venezuelan Ministry of Health, and a Brazilian doctor for their contributions to tobacco control in their countries.

The winners, selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) from nominations received in response to a public call, achieved key advancements for tobacco control in their countries. The awards are part of the global tobacco control efforts that are recognized for World No-Tobacco Day every year.

Three Bolivian institutions shared the award for their role in passing a comprehen-

sive tobacco control law which included the adoption of 100% smoke-free environments in indoor public places and workplaces, becoming the 21st country in the Americas to do so. The law also mandates larger graphic health warning images on tobacco packages. The institutions are the National Assembly of Bolivia, the Ministry of Health, and the Alliance for a Tobacco-Free Bolivia, which worked together to get the legislation approved.

In Mexico, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, and the Ministry of the Economy received the award for their role in increasing taxes on cigarettes and banning the importation of electronic nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco P40 products, which contributes

May/June, 2020

Crime News Reports issued by the RBPF locally.

Reports are printed to keep the public informed of the incidents of crime that are reported within our communities. All reports are to be treated as allegations only.

Eleuthera Reports

SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED At about 12:35pm on Wednesday 20th May 2020 Officers executed a search warrant on the residence of an adult male suspect present were four (4) adult males. A search of each person was conducted with negative results for contraband . Officers also searched two vehicles associated with the suspects a Blue Honda Civic and a gold Honda Accord. All searched ended with negative results Threats Of Death & Damage On Wednesday 20th May 2020 at about 7:00pm an adult male Came to G.H.P.S and reported that a male he knows Threaten to kill him and caused damage to a front window pane of his apartment value of the damages unknown police action requested.

The suspect in this matter was apprehended, processed and charged for those offences.

VIOLATION OF CURFEW On Monday, May 18th, 2020, sometime around 11:40am, Officers came in at the Rock Sound Police Station with twelve (12) adults under arrest reference to violation of the mandatory curfew pursuant of Emergency Power (Covid19) No.2 Order, 2020. They were interviewed under caution and charged with that offence.

CAUSING DAMAGE REPORT \On Monday, May 18th, 2020, sometime around 5:50pm, an adult male came to the Rock Sound Police Station and reported, that sometime around 5:30pm, while at his residence he saw a male known to him, enter his yard and cause damage to his blue and white 150cc Yamaha motorbike by breaking out the rear lights with his hand and also pop some wires from the starter.

The cost of the damage is unknown at this time. Police action was requested.

On Monday, May 18th, 2020, Officers recorded a written statement from the complainant and, while at Wemyss Bight, saw a blue and white 150 cc motorbike where the complainant pointed out the two lights resting on the ground damaged and also some wires popped from a part on the motorbike. Investigations are ongoing.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT On Monday, May 18th, 2020, sometime around 6:00pm, Officers received a report of a traffic accident which occurred on Wemyss Bight Road. Police assistance was requested.

Officers responded to the scene where two vehicles. Vehicle #1 was a 2009 gold Nissan Blue Bird Sylphy owned and driven at the time by an adult female with two passengers.

Vehicle #2 was a 2009 Black Nissan Note, registered to and driven at the time by an adult male. Vehicle #1 was travelling north and vehicle #2 was travelling in a southern direction along the mentioned thoroughfare when the vehicles collided. Both drivers were interviewed, under caution, at the scene where they gave their accounts of how the accident occurred. Both vehicles were extensively damaged. All persons received injuries however none were life threatening. The passengers of vehicle #1 were transported to the Wemyss Bight Clinic prior to the arrival of the police. The driver of vehicle #1 complained of pains to the side and hand and, sometime later, she visited the clinic to receive medical treatment.

The driver of vehicle #2, appeared to have blood draining from his nose and was offered medical attention but he refused. Measurements were recorded and investigations are ongoing.

Persons reported for Violation of Curfew: Officers reported that while on mobile patrol in the South Eleuthera District on Sunday 17th May, 2020, between the hours of 5:20pm and 9:45pm, unit reported ten (10) adult males reference to Breech of COVID19 LOCKDOWN ORDER. All persons were warned of Prosecution and served with a summons to appear before Magistrate’s Court, Rock Sound on 29/06/2020 at 9:30am.

PERSONS REPORTED FOR VIOLATION OF CURFEW: On Saturday 17th May, 2020, sometime around 12: 45pm, Officers while conducting mobile patrols in Rock Sound, reported three (3) adult males for violation of curfew: All persons were warned of prosecution.

Arrest reference Possession of DanDrugs and Breach of Curfew On Saturday the 16th of May 2020, Officers sometime around 12:05pm while on mobile patrols observed the adult male driver of a peach 1993 Nissan March sitting in a vehicle with the strong aroma of marijuana coming from the vehicle. As a result he was stopped and searched referenced to Dangerous Drugs. Officers while searching his left pants pocket discovered one foul wrapping containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. Also found under the centre console was a plastic baggie also containing suspected Marijuana. He stated that he was in that area waiting to see his child who lives nearby. As a result he was arrested and cautioned

gerous

May/June, 2020

for possession of Dangerous Drugs and Breach of Covid 19 Curfew. The suspect was processed and charged with those offences.

POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS: At about 2:45pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with three (3) adult male suspects under arrest and reported that they were arrested at about 2:35pm on Friday 15th May 2020 while on Pinders Lane, Governors Harbour, in the area of the Blue Room reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. They were all processed and charged with that offence.

Arrest reference to Unlawful CarryArms, Breech of Curfew and Disorderly Behavior: On Friday 15th May, 2020 Officers came in at the GHPS with an adult male under arrest reference to Unlawful Carrying Arms, Breech of Curfew and Disorderly Behaviour. He was processed and charged with those offences. ing

Traffic Offence Report: Sometime around 7:14pm on the 15/5/20 officers reported an adult male for driving a black 2007 Honda Accord in a northern direction on Queens Highway south of James Cistern while the said vehicle was unlicensed, uninspected and uninsured. He was informed of the offences and warned of prosecution.

Search Reference to Possession of Dangerous drugs and firearms Sometime around 7:20pm on the 15/5/20 Officers conducted a search on the person of three (3) adult males reference to possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and stolen goods. A search was also conducted of a black 2007 Honda Accord . The search ended with negative results.

HOUSE BREAKING & STEALING: on Wednesday 14th May, 2020 at about 10:21 am an adult female contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police via telephone and reported that some unknown person/s broke and entered the home that she care-takes, located Rainbow Bay and stole a small flat screen television, internet box and a small window unit. Police Action requested.

Arrest reference to House Breaking Stealing: On Saturday 16th May 2020 at about 7:55pm Officers came in at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest and reported that he was arrested and cautioned while at his residence at about 6:35pm on 16/5/2020 after a search warrant was executed on his residence and the following suspected stolen items were recovered a black 32” TLC Roku flat screen smart television, a black Sony DVD player, a black I home music box, and a black Arris Shaw Direct satellite receiver.

The suspect’s vehicle a silver 2002 Nissan Skyline was also searched and three 16” Hyundai rims with three and

35

215/65/16 tires, one black speaker box with two 10” speakers, a black and orange Dual 520 watts amplifier and a black Dual CD player was also recovered. The suspect subsequently confessed to a number of house breaking and stealing matters. He was processed and charged with those offences.

CULTIVATION & POSSESSION OF D/DRUGS: Officers in at the G.H.P.S with an adult male suspect under arrest and reported that he was arrested at 12:12pm on Thursday 14th May 2020, reference to Cultivation and Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

Damage Reported An adult male came to the Governors Harbour Police station at about 9:55pm on the 14.5.2020 and reported that sometime around 855pm while at home he was awaken by someone throwing a stone through his window, he got up and discovered that it was a female known to him . He was unable to say the value of the window Police action was requested.

A statement from the complainant requesting Police action. Further investigations into this matter are ongoing.

POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS: Officers came in at the G.H.P.S with two adult male suspects under arrest and reported they were arrested while on Queen Highway Hatchet Bay Eleuthera reference to Possession of dangerous Drugs . both males were processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to Chapter 220 Section 29(6) and 29(b) of the Dangerous Dug Act. Trespassing

and

Causing Damage

An adult female reported sometime around 9:00am on the 13/5/20 where sometime on the 7/05/20 around 3:46am a male known to her came on Her premises in without her consent and Damaged a motion sensor light valued at $35. She further reported where On Wednesday the 13/5/20 around 8:09am she observed via surveillance Camera as the same male known to her come onto her premises without her consent. she is requesting immediate police action in this matter.

At about 9:15pm on the 13/5/20 Officers came in at the Governors Habour Police Station with an adult male under arrest and reported where he was arrested while at his residence at about 8:15pm on P36

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Crime News

May/June, 2020

Police Contact Numbers

Reports issued by the RBPF locally.

Reports are printed to keep the public informed of the incidents of crime that are reported within our communities. All reports are to be treated as allegations only.

P35

the 13/5/20 reference to trespassing and Damage. The suspect was processed and charged with those offences.

Persons Reported Ref to Breach of Curfew: Officers while on Mobile Patrol at about 11:14pm on Tuesday 12/05/2020 reported two adult males reference to breach of curfew they were also searched ref to D/Drugs and Firearm, with negative results.

Person Reported Ref to Breach of Curfew: Officers at about 11:14pm, on Tuesday 12/05/2020, while at Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, reported an adult male for breach of curfew.

Arrest: Possession of DangerDrugs w/Intent to Supply: On Tuesday 12th May, 2020, sometime 8:20pm, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with two adult males under arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to supply. Officers reported that they were both arrested and cautioned sometime around 8:00am while on Dark End Street, Tarpum Bay. They were processed and charged with that offence.

ous

Arrest: Possession of Dangerous Drugs w/Intent to Supply: On Tuesday 12th May, 2020, sometime around 11:00pm, an adult male came in at Rock Sound Police Station where he was arrested and cautioned reference to an ongoing investigation into Possession of Dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

He was processed and charged with that offence.

Stealing Reported: On Monday 1th May 2020, at 11:50am an adult male reported to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station, that sometime around the 2nd of May 2020, he placed 8 five red gallons containers of gas valued at $400.00 for the gas and containers, behind the shop underneath the trailer that is on his property of the Eleuthera Training Bible Collage near the house on top of the hill. On Saturday 9th May 2020, he took a look in the area where he placed the containers and noticed they were not there. Police assistance is requested in this matter.This matter is under active investigation.

Violation of Curfew: On Monday 11th May, 2020 sometime around 4:08 pm Officers while on mobile patrol an adult male who was sitting under a wooden structure in an open lot with a plastic cup in his hands,

when questioned for being in the area and in violation of the mandatory curfew he stated under caution that he was just chilling like any other day. As a result he was informed of the offence and warned of Prosecution.

Possession of dangerous drugs & Resisting arrest: On Monday 11th May 2020 sometime around 4:12pm Officers came in at the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male under arrest. Officers reported that sometime around 4:06pm they conducted a search of the suspect and discovered a quantity of suspect marijuana. The suspect was processed and charged with those offences.

Violation of Curfew: On 9.05.2020 at 6:30pm Officers came in at R.S.P.S. and reported while on Queens Highway Wemyss Bight they reported an adult male for violation of curfew. H was warned of prosecutions.

ARREST REFERENCE TO DANGEROUS DRUGS: About 5:40pm on Friday 8th May 2020 Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest. They reported that he was arrested while in the area of Rainbow Bay sometime around 5:10pm reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

ARREST REFERENCE TO DANGEROUS DRUGS: About 7:00pm on Friday 8th May 2020 Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest. They reported that he was arrested while at his residence around 6:00pm reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

Traffic Offence Reported & Persons Warned of Prosecution for Violation of Curfew: On Friday 8th May, 2020 at 8:15pm, Officers reported an adult female for driving a grey Honda Civic North along Banks Road Governors Harbour while the same was unlicensed, uninspected and uninsured since August 2019.

Further she and her male Passenger was reported reference to Violation of Curfew contrary to section 6 & 9 of the Emergency Powers (Covid 19) (No. 3 Order, 2020) and Emergency Powers (Covid 19) Regulations 2020, after they were found driving in the mentioned area without a reasonable excuse for being out during the curfew order.

ARREST REFERENCE TO DANGEROUS DRUGS: About 8:30pm on Friday 8th May 2020 Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest. They reported that hewas arrested l while in the area of Banks Road, Governors Harbour

HeadQuarters (GH) Governor’s Harbour OR O/C Governor’s Harbour Gov.Harb. Airport Station Deep Creek Station Tarpum Bay Station Rock Sound Station

332-3500 332-2111 332-2117 332-2723 332-2323 334-8207 334-4033 334-2244

sometime around 8:10pm reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

HOUSEBREAKING: At about 12:30pm on Thursday 7th may 2020, an adult male contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station via phone and reported that he is the caretaker of a home while making checks of the home, he discovered that some unknown person/s broke and entered the home, damaging an eastern glass door value unknown.

Police assistance requested. This matter is under active investigation.

SEARCHES: At about 4:53pm on Thursday 7th may 2020, while on mobile patrol in the Governors Harbour Area Officers searched four (4) adult males along with his grey Honda CRV reference to dangerous drugs and fire arms with negative results.

Search warrant: On 7/05/2020 officers conducted a search of the residence of an adult male which resulted in the discovery of a quantity of suspected marijuana. As a result he was arrested and cautioned for the same. Further the suspect is wanted for questioning for a number of outstanding house breakings in the Palmetto Point community. He was processed and charged for those offences..

Search warrant: On 7/05/2020 Officers conducted a search warrant on the residence of a Subject in Police custody reference to a separate matter.

The search warrant on his residence resulted in the discovery of a quantity of suspected marijuana under bed mattress approximate weight (2) ounces.

Further, a search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in the discovery of four plastic baggies and three foil wrappings each containing suspected marijuana. He was warned of Prosecution reference to the same. He was processed and charged with that offence.

Traffic accident report: On Thursday 7th May, 2020 at 11:25pm an anonymous caller contacted the Governors Harbour Police station and reported that there is a dark colored jeep in bushes off Queens Highway, Palmetto Point, just south of Secrets night club that appears to have been in an accident. Police assistance requested.

Officers responded to the scene and notice an adult female sitting on the tailgate of a small pickup truck with an elderly male who had a cloth wrapped

Rock Sound Sgt. Office Rock Sound Airport Stn L. Bogue Station (Airport) Harbour Island Station O/C Harbour Island Spanish Wells Station Gregory Town Station Hatchet Bay Station

334-2212 334-2052 335-1208 333-2111 333-2327 333-4030 335-5322 335-0086

around her right arm, which appeared to be bleeding. She complained of shoulder pain. She reported that she just got off from work and Was Traveling south on Queens Highway, Palmetto Point enroute to her residence when she lost consciousness behind the wheel and woke up in bushes. Upon Further inspection Officers notice a dark colored Honda CRV in bushes on the western side of Queens Highway Facing South with extensive front and side damages.

The driver was issued a R.B.P.F hospital along with an N.O.I.P form. Investigations are ongoing.

Violation of Curfew: On 7.05.2020 at 8:44pm Officers came in at s-2 and reported while at Tarpum Bay they reported two (2) adult males for violation of Curfew.

They were warned of prosecutions.

HOUSEBREAKING & STEALING: At about 7:45am on Wednesday 6th may 2020, an adult male reported to the G.H.P.S that a house he care takes was broken into and a safe was stolen. Officers visited and processed the scene. An adult male was subsequently arrested and charged with this offence.

HOUSEBREAKING: At about 2:20pm on Wednesday 6th May 2020 an adult female came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported at about 1:00pm on 6th May 2020 she went to work at a house where she is employed as a maid she walked around the house and discovered that two windows were broken into. She did not go into the house because she was afraid too but contacted the owners. Police assistance requested.

Officers visited and processed the scene and made checks of the residence along with the complainant who pointed out two damaged windows believed to be the point of entry. This matter is under active investigation.

POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS: At about 6:55pm on Wednesday 06th May 2020 Officers came in at the Governors Harbour Police Station with an adult male under arrest for possession of dangerous drugs. He was arrested at about 6:30pm he was found with a piece of foil wrapping that contained a quantity of grassy like substance, suspected of being marijuana. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

Persons Warned of Prosecution for Violation of Curfew On Tuesday May 5th, 2020 at 8:00pm while in North Palmetto Point Eleuthera

Crime News Officers warned two adult males of prosecution reference to violating Curfew contrary to section 6 & 9 of the Emergency Powers (Covid 19) (No. 2 Order, 2020) and Emergency Powers (Covid 19) Regulations 2020, after they were observed not social distancing and not wearing masks while out in public during the curfew order.

Persons Warned of Prosecution for Violation of Curfew: On Tuesday May 5th, 2020 at 10:50pm while in Governors Harbour Eleuthera Officers warned an adult male of prosecution reference to violating Curfew contrary to section 6 & 9 of the Emergency Powers (Covid 19) (No. 2 Order, 2020) and Emergency Powers (Covid 19) Regulations 2020, after they were observed at 9:45pm driving a black Honda Fit north on Queens Highway in Governors Harbour beyond the curfew order.

STEALING FROM A VESSEL REPORT /ARREST: At about 9:06am on Monday May 4th 2020, an adult male came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime between Friday 1st May and Monday 4th May 2020, some unknown person/s stole his engine valued at $2000.00(Two Thousand dollars from his 23ft formula boat namely “Kitti” that was docked opposite St Patrick Church in the Governor’s Harbour docking area. Police action requested At 12:13pm on Monday 4th may 2020, Officers came in at the G.H.P.S with an adult male under arrest. They reported arrested and cautioning him in the area of Secret’s Sporting Lounge Queens Highway Palmetto Point Eleuthera for stealing. The suspect was interviewed and released pending further investigation.

Housebreaking Report: On Monday 4th May, 2020, at about 11:40am, an adult male contacted the Rock Sound Police Station via telephone and reported that a short while ago he made a check of his mother’s house located on commonage Land, and discovered that some unknown person/s had broken into the same. He reported that entry appeared to have been gained through a northern front window and exit point being a northern front door. At this time the complainant is uncertain as to if anything has been stolen. Police Assistance requested.

Officers visited the scene where they saw and spoke with complainant who pointed out a green trim white single story stone structure House.” He pointed out a northern glass double window where the lower left window pane was seen missing. On entering the residence, the complainant pointed out in an eastern sitting room the missing window pane which was resting in a chair broken in half. Pieces of glass also seen lying on the ground beneath the window. One brown kitchen drawer was pulled open and appeared to have been searched.

The complainant led Officers to a southern bedroom where he showed that a brown dresser drawer also pulled out and appeared to have been searched. Upon further inspection of the house nothing appeared to have been missing.

This matter is under active investigation.

Persons Warned of Prosecution for Violation of Curfew: On Saturday 2nd May, 2020 at 7:50pm, Officers while in the area of Midway Cost Cutters, Queens Highway, Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, reported four (4) adult males reference to Violation of Curfew contrary to section 6 & 9 of the Emergency Powers (Covid 19) (No. 3 Order, 2020) and Emergency Powers (Covid 19) Regulations 2020, after they were all observed travelling in a southern direction on Queens Highway, Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, while they were occupants of a white Nissan Teana without a reasonable excuse for being out during the curfew order. They were all informed of the offence by P/C 2638 Ellis and warned of further prosecution.

Traffic Offence Report: On Saturday 2nd May, 2020 at 7:50pm, Officers while in the area of Cost Cutters, Queens Highway, Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, warned and reported an adult male for driving a white Nissan Teanna south on Queens Highway, Savannah sound, near Midway Cost Cutters Food store, while not being possession of a valid driver’s license while operating a motor vehicle. The driver was informed of the offences and warned of further prosecution.

Arrest ref to House Breaking/ Suspect Charged: At about 12:40pm on Wednesday 29th April, 2020 at 11:00am officers came in at the G.H.P.S. with an adult male suspect under arrest and reported arresting him while at this residence reference to housebreaking. The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR HOUSE BREAKING & STEALING: At about 2:00pm on Wednesday 29th April, 2020 While at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station Officer arrested an adult male reference to Housebreaking and stealing He was interviewed and released pending further investigation.

ARREST: POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS W/INTENT TO SUPPLY: On Monday 27th April, 2020, sometime around 7:44pm, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with an adult male . Officers reported that he was arrested and cautioned sometime around 7: 15pm on 27.4.20 after a search was conducted of his person along with a white Honda Fit owned and driven by him at the time. During this time, Officers found concealed in the floor panel on the passenger side of the vehicle, a plastic wrap which contained two (2) clear plastic wrap each containing ten (10) brown paper wraps of suspected cocaine (20) in total. As a result, he was arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. He along with the suspected drugs and said vehicle was transported to Rock Sound Police Station.

The suspect was processed and charged with that offence.

Traffic Offence Report: At about 12:05 pm on 26th April 2020, Officers while on mobile patrol reported an adult male for driving a silver 2003 Honda Fit north on Queens Highway Rainbow Bay, while the same was unlicensed and inspected for the current year 2020. He was informed of the offence and warned of prosecution.

Persons Warned of Prosecution for Violation of Curfew: On Sunday April 26th, 2020 at 12:10pm while on mobile patrol in the area of Queen’s Highway, Palmetto Point, Eleuthera Officers r warned two (2) adult males of prosecution reference to violating Curfew contrary to section 6 & 9 of the Emergency Powers (Covid 19) (No. 2 Order, 2020) and Emergency Powers (Covid 19) Regulations 2020, after they were observed travelling in a northern direction on Queen’s Highway, Rainbow in a silver 2003 Honda Fit without a reasonable excuse for being out during the curfew order.

HOUSEBREAKING Case: On Sunday 26th April, 2020, at about 11:38am, an adult male contacted the GHPS and reported that he was the General Manager of a home in Governors Harbour.

On making a check of the property today he discovered that one of the residences was broken into and it also appeared that some tools were stolen.

Police action was requested.

Officers visited and processed the scene e with the complainant who pointed out the smashed glass of an eastern dining room window as well as its displaced screen, the displaced screen of a western window and a flat screen television set in a second floor eastern bedroom that appeared to have been moved out of its original position along with its displaced cable box. The complainant also pointed out an area of the dining room where some tools were missing. This matter is under active investigation.

VIOLATION OF CURFEW: On Saturday, 25th April, 2020 Officers reported that at about 3:25pm, while on mobile patrol on Queens Highway Tarpum Bay, reported an adult male for Violation of Curfew, he was warned of Prosecution.

House Breaking Reported: At about 11:26am on Friday 24th April 2020, an adult female contacted the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that the house in where she is the Caretaker was broken into sometime between the 23rd April and 24th April 2020. Police action requested.

Officers visited and processed the scene. An adult male was subsequently arrested and charged with this offence.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED [SHOPBREAKING & STEALING] On Friday April 24th 2020, sometime around 7:05pm, Officers came in at Rock Sound Police Station with two

May/June, 2020

37

adults under arrest. Officers reported that they were both arrested and cautioned while at their residence respectively around 6:55pm and 7:02pm reference to Shop breaking and Stealing a complaint made on Tuesday April 14th, 2020.

NE & Hbr Island Breach of curfew: On Friday 3/4/20 at about 9:37am Crew of Eskimo 16 consisting of Sgt 1401 Carey and Cpl Police Visit Report:On Saturday 2nd May, 2020 sometime between the hours of 8:15am and 9:55 am, police reported making checks of the community of Harbour Island proper. During this time the said mentioned unit made checks of all essential business establishments saw and spoke to various shop employees and business owners:(1) Pineapple Shop -Warren; (2) Big Reds Convenience; (3)Park View Grocery Store; (4)Piggly Wiggly Food Store; (5)Kays Market All shop holders holder reported all normal and in order. In addition they were reminded of the Emergency order and the facial protective gear, social distancing and operating hour’s protocols. Further checks were made of Royal Bank of Canada and all surrounding residential areas. All areas were met quiet and left in order. Minimal vehicular, traffic and activities throughout, the community.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Saturday 2nd May, police conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island Proper between 4:00pm and 5:05pm during which time checks were made of area businesses and residences, Government buildings and dock, R. B. C. All duties appear to be normal and in order. Police continued patrols between 7:25pm and 10:00pm. All duties appear to be normal and in order.

Patrol Duties: On Saturday 2nd May, 2020, Crew of Eskimo #1-6, Sgt 241 Leary and PC 2866 Hall, conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island Proper between 10:45pm and 12:45am during which time checks were made of, Government buildings and dock, R. B. C. all hotels, all duties in order.

Grievous Harm Report: On Monday 4th May, 2020 at about 8:50pm, police received information of a causing harm incident. The victim was said to be at Harbour Island Community Clinic for treatment. A unit was dispatched to investigate. At about 8:54pm, the unit arrived on scene at the local clinic, an d met the victim, an adult female of Pitt Street, Harbour Island being treated by Dr. Farrington and Nurse Saunders for a chop/laceration to the scalp and scull. She appeared to be alert, however, injuries were classified as life threatening. She reported that she had been assaulted with a cutlass by a male of Pitt Street. She declined to give a statement or make an official complaint to police. She was advised. A hospital form was issued bearing her name and a search began for suspect.

Breach of Curfew: On P38 Monday 4th May, 2020 at about 9:30pm, police

38 www. EleutheraNews . com reported one adult male of Barrack Street after he was P37 found walking east along Chapel Street in the area of Lighthouse Church of God. When questioned as to why he was on the road and not wearing a mask, he stated that he went to stretch his legs.

As a result, Cpl. #3462 Rolle warned him of prosecution for the violations committed.

Community Walkabout: On Tuesday 5th May, a team of officers reported that between 3:20pm and 3:50pm, officers conducted a walkabout within the community of Harbour Island paying special attention to Bay Street, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island while making checks of the business establishments that are allowed to be opened and also the Liquor Establishments which are allowed to do curbside and delivery services. All establishments were found to be in order reference to the Covid-19 Emergency Order pertaining to the operation of their business establishments. Police Information Ferocious Dog Attack Report:On Tuesday 5th May, 2020 at about 3:45pm, a resident contacted Harbour Island Police Station and reported that three (3) large dogs believed to be diamond ridgebacks belonging to residents in the narrows that attacked two females by charging at them aggressively and barking, putting them in fear. No physical injuries reported.

Police assistance requested. At about 4:10pm, police saw and spoke with property manager and informed him of the complaint made, who stated that the property owns two(2) Rhodesian Ridgebacks which were allowed to play on the beach and were barking but he was unaware that any attack happened, however they were both secured on the property at this time.

Mr. Stubbs was advised in reference to same and warned to secure the dogs on the property otherwise they are to be properly supervised. Area left quiet and in order.

Stolen Bicycles Report: An adult female of West Bay Street c/o a property in Harbour Island came to the Harbour Island Police Station and reported that between 5:30pm, Monday 4th May 2020 and 10:30Am on Wednesday 6th May she discovered that two (2) of her bicycles were stolen from her property: a purple 16” Girls Low rider with training. Wheels valued at $207.00 and a 28” black Royal Dutch bicycle valued at $500.00.Police action requested.

Prisoners in custody: On Thursday 7th May 2020 at 7:20pm a police crew came in with three male prisoners in reference to Housebreaking and Possession of Dangerous Drugs with the intent to supply for safekeeping.

Breach of Curfew: On Thursday 7th May 2020 at about 8pm police while on mobile patrol in the area of the Harbour island Day Nursery, Colebrook Street, saw a dark skin male was observed

Crime News

walking north. The male upon seeing the Police vehicle ran into a yard. The male was called out of the yard and he gave his name. He was asked his reason for being out during the curfew?

He stated that he was heading by his neighbor to pick something up then he was going back home. Police warned him of prosecution for being in Breach of the Curfew. He is to appear before the court for violating the emergency orders.

Alarm Activation Report: On Friday 8th May, 2020 at about 8:55am, Royal Bank Alarm system at Harbour Island Police Station was activated. Police were dispatched to investigate. They saw and spoke with the Financial Solutions Specialist c/o R.B.C who stated that the alarm tripped. Officers made a check of the interior. All duties appear to be normal and in order.

Threats of Death Report: On Friday 8th May, 2020 at about 10:10am, an adult female of Ripley Street, Harbour Island, came into Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime after 6:00am, while at her residence, her brother, of the same address was disrespectful towards their father and when she intervened. He threatened to break her jaw and said if she tried to throw him out of the house she will “leave going to the morgue or to the hospital”, putting her in fear. Police warning requested in this matter. The complainant added that she will contact the police station when her brother returns home from work so that he can be warned.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Friday 8th May, 2020, officers reported to the Harbour Island Police Station that between 11:45am and 1:00pm they conducted patrols of Harbour Island paying special attention to Bay Street, the main business district where officers monitored the business community and general public ensuring that they were in compliance with all regulation as it relates to the Covid 19 Emergency Powers. All appeared to be normal and in order. Police continued patrol duties between 1:10pm and 1:50pm while making checks of Harbour Island Proper. All continued to appear to be normal and in order.

Arrest Breach of Curfew and UnCarrying Arms: On Friday 8th May 2020, police came in at the HIPS with an adult male of Pitt Street Harbour Island under arrest in reference to Unlawfully Carrying Arms and Breach of Curfew, he was arrested and cautioned while in the area of Big Red Convenience Store.

He was subsequently interviewed and charged with Breach of Curfew and Unlawfully Carrying Arms, he was further cautioned said nothing in reply. lawfully

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Saturday 9th May, 2020, police reported to Harbour Island Police Station that between 11:35am and 12:20pm, a unit conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island Police Station from Trianna

Shores to Coconut Grove Avenue. All appeared to be normal and in order.

Threats of Harm: On Saturday May 09, 2020 at about 1:20 p.m. an adult female of Clarence Street, Harbour Island came to S-3 and reported that at about 12:56 p.m. on Saturday May 09, 2020 while at her grandmother’s residence, she received voice notes from her boyfriend’s niece who threatened the complainant that she would come to Briland and tear her head off, putting her in fear for her safety.

Police action is requested. Police recorded a written statement from the complainant. The complainant played a voice note from the Whatsapp profile. In the voice note the lady identified herself and she proceeded to threaten to “tear” the complainant’s head off. Enquiries continue.

Mobile Patrol Duties: Police reported that sometime between the hours of 12:15Am on Monday 11th May and 1:30Am on Tuesday conducted mobile patrols throughout the entire Harbour Island Community. During this time the mentioned crew made checks of Bay St Dunmore Street and Colebrooke Street Proper and Trianna Shores and all other surrounding areas. Special attention were paid to all Marinas and the public dock inclusive of all essential government buildings and properties. There was no vehicular or other activities found throughout the community. All areas checked were met and left normal and in order.

Disturbance Report: On Wednesday 13th May 2020 an adult female of Colebrook Street, Harbour Island contacted the HIPS and reported that her ex-husband was at her residence creating a disturbance. Police assistance requested. Police visited the residence, saw and spoke to the complainant who was very distraught, she explained a number of vindictive things he was doing to her. She stated that they are divorced and the court ordered that they both share the residence. She and their daughter lives on one side and her ex husband lives on one side. She pointed out to the unit where her ex husband had removed all the shingles off of her side of the residence causing the roof to have massive leaks when it was raining for the past few days. If she pays someone to clean the yard, her ex husband would run the person doing the job out of the yard. Upon arrival of the police, the accused had already left the scene. Checks were made at his side of the residence where information received that he was inside, however he refused to acknowledge the police at the door.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Wednesday 13th May, 2020, between 11:30pm and 12:50am (14/5/2020), a police unit conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island proper from Trianna Shores to Johnson Terrace while making checks of area businesses and residences, government buildings, and Government dock—

May/June, 2020 M/V Bahamas Express docked at same time. All duties appear to be normal and in order. All duties appeared to be normal and in order.

STEALING REPORT: On Friday 15th May, 2020 12:45 p.m. an adult male of The Narrows, Harbour Island came to Harbour Island Police Station. He reported that while at the house he manages he observed a dark male clad in all red with “budded” hair in the yard of a House. The male had a roll of electrical wire and copper tubing in his hand. He went to the property to ask the male what he was doing there and the male fled on foot. He then contacted the Property Manager for the House, who confirmed that no one is working on that property. Police action is requested.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Saturday 16th May 2020 police reportedly began mobile patrol duties pursuant of the Emergency Curfew order between 1:50Am that ended around 3:30Am. The unit conducted patrols throughout the community inclusive of Bay Street, Dunmore Street, Colebrooke Street proper and Queens Highway and all residential and essential Government Buildings and other local business establishments. A high priority was paid to the Government dock and all Marinas and all ports of entry. There was no vehicular traffic, or incidents reported at the time. All areas of special interest were checked with negative results in locating any suspicious activities.

Breach of Lockdown Report: On Saturday 16th May, 2020 at about 8:40 pm police observed a female known of Colebrooke Street at a residence along Chapel Street. This female was reminded that there is nationwide Lockdown implemented and that she should be home. The suspect became hostile and as a result, a Cpl. informed her that she would be reported in reference to Breach of Lockdown and warned of prosecution. She replied, “Please do it”.

The Cpl. advised the suspect to return to her residence.

Mobile Patrol: On Sunday 17th May 2020 sometime between 1:15Am and 2:30Am conducted mobile patrol checks throughout the Harbour Island community. During this time the said unit made checks of Bay Street, Dunmore Street and the public dock proper.

Further checks were made of all residential and surrounding areas inclusive of Harbour Island Marina site where security officer reported all normal and in order. There were no traffic seen on the street or persons moving about. In addition there were incidents reported and all areas were left quiet and in order.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Sunday 17th May, 2020 between 11:20pm and 12:15am (18/5/2020), a police unit conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island proper from Trianna Shores to Coconut Grove Avenue while making checks of area businesses and residences, government buildings, P39 and Government dock. All

Crime News appeared to be normal and in order. The unit continued patrols between 1:00am and 2:20am, (18/5/2020). All appeared to be normal and in order.

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Breach of Curfew: On Monday 18th May, 2020 at about 1:50am, police were conducting mobile patrol duties on Dunmore Street when unit observed two individuals walking south along same in the area of Salt Box Villas. The unit engaged both who gave their names and addresses of Pitt Street. When questioned as to their reason for being on the streets during a lockdown, the male stated that he was going to the bank.

The female stated she was just going along with him and she left her mask at home. As a result, police informed both of the offenses committed and warned them of prosecution. Area left quiet and in order.

Mobile Patrol Duties: On Tuesday 19th May, 2020, between 10:30pm (18/5/2020) and 12:20am (19/5/2020), a police unit conducted mobile patrol duties of Harbour Island proper from Trianna Shores to Johnson Terrace while making checks of area businesses and residences, government buildings, and the Government dock. All duties appeared to be normal and in order.

Breach of Curfew: On Monday 18th May, 2020 at about 11:05pm, police were conducting mobile patrol duties on Bay Street when unit observed a male walking south in the area of Valentines Hotel and Marina. The unit engaged the male who gave his name and address as Colebrooke Street, Harbour Island.

When questioned as to his reason for being on the streets during a lockdown, he stated that he was heading home after leaving his mother’s residence.

As a result, police informed him of the offense committed and warned him of prosecution. The area was left quiet and in order.

Breach of Lockdown Order: Police reported that whilst on mobile patrol in a mark Police vehicle they beckoned and stopped a male offender of Barrack St while driving a white rental golf cart South along Colebrooke St. He was informed of being in Breach of the Lockdown order and warned of Prosecution after not being able to give a satisfactory reason as to why he was out. He admitted that he was aware of the lockdown order when questioned.

Breach of Lockdown Order: Police reported that on Sunday 26th April 2020 while on mobile patrol they beckoned and stoped (2) offenders in reference to Breach of the LOCK DOWN ORDER, both who occupied a white golf cart which was traveling north along Colebrooke Street in the vicinty of Ross Garage. They gave their names as an address as being of Dunmore Street .The offenders were subsequently warned of prosecution. The female stated that she was out to get water for her baby when asked if she is aware of the Lockdown

Order.

Breach of Curfew Order: On Monday 27th March 2020 sometime around 8:55Pm police reported that while conducting routine mobile patrol of the community they beckoned and stopped a male offender of Munnings Street who was driving North along Queens Highway Harbour Island. When questioned as to why he was in breach of the curfew order he replied that he was up by his sister to get some food and going now by a friend. As a result of this information received PC 3616 Austin informed the OFFENDER of prosecution.

Breach of Curfew Order: On Monday 27th March 2020 sometime around 8:55Pm police conducted routine mobile patrol beckoned and stopped a driver of Barrack Street whilst in the area of Bay St. She was warned of prosecution to the, offence Breach of the Curfew Order. When questioned as to why she was out at such time she replied she just came from getting her hair braided.

Breach of Curfew Order: On Monday 27th April 2020 at 8:45pm, police while on mobile patrol on Nesbitt Street Dunmore Town, Harbour Island in the area of Brialnd Premier Medical Centre saw a man travelling on a Golf Cart. They stopped him and asked him if he was aware of the 24hrs Curfew Order and he replied “yes”. He was asked his reason for being out past the curfew and he couldn’t give a satisfactory excuse.

He was reported for Breach Of The Curfew Order 2020 and was warned of prosecution.

Breach of Curfew Order: A Sgt. c/o Harbour Island Police Station reported that while on mobile patrol in the area of Bay Street Harbour Island a male known to her was standing in the area of Linc’s Takeaway without a protective mask on. He was asked where his mask was. His reply was that he was told by the doctor not to wear one after he was recently discharged from P.M.H. The Sgt. contacted Dr.L.Farrington c/o Harbour Island community clinic and she denied receiving such instructions.

The mas was subsequently WARNED of PROSECUTION. Drug Arrest: Location: Lower Bogue, Eleuthera On Thursday 7th May 2020, sometime around 1:45pmpolice, while on mobile patrol, and acting on information received, observed a white 2010 vehicle, occupied by (3) male suspects, who were suspected to be wanted in reference to housebreaking and stealing. As a result the officers approached the suspect’s and informed them of their suspicions. A search was then conducted of the said vehicle in reference to stolen property. While searching the vehicle’s back trunk the officers discovered a brown box,

May/June, 2020

containing a number of grocery items, inclusive of one (1) Kellogg’s Fruit Loops Box, containing two (2) clear plastic packages each containing a quantity of suspected marijuana, one (1) Capri Sun “ Fruit Punch” Box containing one (1) clear plastic package, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana, and one (1) Capri Sun “Strawberry Kiwi” Box, containing one (1) clear plastic package, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. The suspects were cautioned and arrested reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, a search was also conducted of the suspects, and while searching one of the males, who identified himself as being of Palmetto Point, the officers discovered (1) one black piece of plastic, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana and (1) small clear plastic translucent zip lock bag, containing a quantity of suspected marijuana inside the lining of his hat. The suspects were transported to the North Eleuthera Police Station, where the remaining passengers identified themselves as both of Palmetto Point. The suspects were subsequently cautioned and interviewed in reference to the illegal substance. They were later transported to Harbor Island Police Station, where they were handed over for safekeeping. Investigations are continuing into this matter.

Housebreaking & Stealing Location: Current Ridge, Eleuthera - On Wednesday 22nd April 2020, sometime around 3:15pm, a male resident of Current Ridge, Eleuthera, contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station, via telephone, and reported that some unknown person/s broke and entered into the residence of another man, situated on Current Ridge, for which he is the caretaker.

Police assistance requested.

On Wednesday 22nd April 2020, sometime around 3:35pm, police arrived at the location of the incident. On arrival they saw and spoke with the complainant, who reported that sometime around 8:00pm he dropped the yard man, of Eleuthera Island Shores, to the residence to clean the yard.

He stated that he later received a call from the worker, who stated that he observed that a western window of the residence was open. As a result he returned to the residence and contact-

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ed the Police. A walk through of the interior and exterior of the residence was conducted. Upon entering the residence the officers noted obvious signs of rummaging, and on completion the complainant stated that he can not say exactly what all was stolen without first communicating with the home owner, however he noticed that a 32 inch flat screen television, DVD player, and a number of beach towels were missing. He is requesting Police action in this matter.

Curfew Violation & T.O.R. Location: Airport Road, Eleuthera On Wednesday 22nd April 2020, sometime around 11:30pm, police while on mobile patrol along the Airport Road, Lower Bogue, observed a white Honda Accord travelling along the said road in violation of curfew. As a result the officers stopped the said vehicle, which was driven by a male, of Airport Road, Lower Bogue. The suspect was questioned in reference to his reason for being on the road, and he stated that he was going to drop his girlfriend home. As a result he was informed that he was being reported reference to Curfew violation. An inspection was conducted of his vehicle and it was discovered that his vehicle was not licensed, inspected, or insured for the current year. He was also informed that he would be reported for the traffic offences.

Housebreaking & Stealing Location: Current Ridge, Eleuthera On Sunday 26th April 2020, sometime around 12:10pm, a man of Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, contacted the North Eleuthera Police Station and reported that sometime between Tuesday 7th April 2020 and Sunday 26th April 2020, some unknown person/s broke and entered into a residence situated on Current Ridge, for which he is the caretaker. Police assistance is requested.

On Sunday 26th April 2020, sometime around 12:55pm, police arrived at the scene of the incident, where they saw and spoke with the complainant, who stated that sometime around 11:30am on today’s date he conducted a check of the residence, and while making a check of the western side of the building he observed that a window was broken.

As a result he contacted the Police.

A check was made of the interior of the residence, and upon entering the home, the officers noted obvious signs of rummaging, and signs that someone had cooked and ate food, and left all of the plates on the counter, which had already become molded. On completion of the inspection the complainant noted that a 32 inch LG television, and a BTC internet box was missing. He is unable to say what else may have been stolen until speaking with the homeowner. He requested Police action.

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May/June, 2020

PM announcement cont’d ate Monday to Friday 9am –

and the immediate members exceed 4 persons; • Vehicles must be parked at least three feet apart; • Communion may not be held; • There will be one offering station. Offering baskets may not be passed from vehicle to vehicle; • Persons in high-risk categories are asked not to attend drive-up service, this includes individuals age 65 and older and those with comorbidities.

Services are permitted Saturday and Sunday only during the weekend lockdowns between 7am and 1pm.

Extension of hours and days of exempted businesses and services Effective Monday, 25 May: Plant nurseries may operate Monday to Friday 6am – 5pm • Hardware, lumber, plumbing, home and hurricane awnings and hurricane protection businesses allowed to operate Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm • Auto parts stores allowed to operate Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm • Clearing banks and Post Office Savings Banks allowed to operate Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm • Money transmission businesses allowed to operate Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm • Insurance companies allowed to oper-

5pm • Financial services allowed to operate Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm • Medical and health service facilities may provide non-emergency health services in accordance with operating guidelines outlined by the Medical Association of The Bahamas and the Ministry of Health.

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World No Tobacco Day cont’d

New exempted business • Dry cleaners may now operate Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

The Bahamas has started to transition to Phase 2 of the five-phase re-opening plan.

This phase includes the resumption of business operations in the Family Islands with no presence of COVID-19, increase in delivery and curbside operations, the addition of healthcare services and manufacturing industries, and the opening up of worship services.”

Source: Office of the Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas 22 May 2020 to the prevention of vaping by Mexican youth.

The Ministry of Health of Venezuela won the award for a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco, as established by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, becoming the eighth country in the Americas to achieve this outcome. Venezuela now implements three of the four WHO “best-buys” for tobacco control.

In Brazil, Dr. Antonio Drauzio Varella received the World No-Tobacco Day award for his advocacy of tobacco control on television, in newspapers, and on digital media. A popular influencer on health issues in Brazil, he is an advocate for cancer prevention and control who works closely with health officials to warn families about the dangers of tobacco and supports the effectiveness of using tobacco taxation to reduce consumption.

World No Tobacco Day was created by WHO Member States in 1987 and is commemorated each year on 31 May. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. For 2020, the theme is “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.”

The awards are made for achievements of key measures for tobacco control towards the advancement of policies and measures contained in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the Region of the Americas.

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May/June

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CHTA HOTELS cont’d

weeks to learn of the extent to which some of your member tour operators are withholding reimbursements to hotels for services which were rendered as early as January and into February and March.”

Acknowledging hotels had been advised to expect reimbursement to take an average of 60 additional days, and as long as 120 days, from certain tour operators who cited staff shortages, high demand, and reduced cash flow as primary reasons for delays, Comito pointed out that “these payments were made to the tour operator by consumers, often many months in advance and were to be held in trust for payment to hotels shortly after the delivery of the services.”

Comito requested the Pictured Above: Frank Comito international tour operator associations help CHTA by of properties, we’ve helped to create “reaching out to your member operators who work with the Caribbean an environment which has supported the growth of your members’ urging them to make every effort to business into the region.” expedite their obligation to reimLooking to future cooperation, burse Caribbean hotels for services Comito asked the associations to which have been rendered.” rein in some tour operators which The CHTA chief said he underare considering “one-sided attempts stood the dilemma facing all in the to revise future contracts as they travel industry, but he stressed “the seek new rate and payment terms, reimbursement of funds which were already asking for deep discounts collected from the consumer far in which are difficult to provide in an advance and are obligated should extremely high-cost/low-revenue take priority.” operating environment.”

Inferring the survival of CaribThe business relationships develbean hotels was threatened, Comito oped by tour operators with Caribwarned that the consequences of bean hoteliers over many years had contributing to the demise of some been key to their mutual success, Caribbean hotels “will also be and Comito voiced the hope to long-term for your members and maintain and build upon those relathe reputation of the sector, having already impacted the ability of many tionships as the world emerges from this crisis. “This will require give and Caribbean hotels to meet their own take by all parties,” he stated. financial obligations to employees, CHTA confirms that corresponvendors and Government for taxes dence has been transmitted to maowed related to past activity.”

Stressing the interdependence of jor trade associations representing tour operators in Canada, Europe, Caribbean hotels and tour operators, Comito reminded the recipients the United Kingdom and the United States. of CHTA’s letter that the association had been a longstanding resource for many tour operators working to develop their Caribbean portfolio: “Through our B2B marketing efforts, advocacy work, and reach to our 33 member destinations and hundreds

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COVID-19 card introduced by Bahamas government for travel to Cleared Family Islands

Above: Dr. Dahl-Regis The Government introduced a COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card that would allow individuals to travel to approved Family Islands as part of a gradual re-opening of inter-island travel, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced on Sunday, May 17th, 2020 in a live televised COVID-19 National Address.

Under this gradual re-opening, travel to Family Islands cleared to resume normal commercial activity must be approved and monitored under a policy and protocols developed by the Ministry of Health, said Prime Minister Minnis.

This policy and protocol will require individuals to register with the Ministry of Health by emailing covid19travel@ bahamas.gov.bs.

Individuals must also submit to an evaluation by a Ministry of Healthauthorized physician, in the public or private sector.

“This evaluation will include a risk assessment via a questionnaire to determine the individual’s level of risk for COVID-19 infection, and a physical exam to determine the presence of any symptoms consistent with COVID-19,” the Prime Minister explained.

If deemed low risk and the physical exam does not reveal any symptoms, it is expected that the person will be issued a COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card that will allow travel to the Family Island.

If the individual is deemed a higher risk or has symptoms that may be consistent with COVID-19, the individual will be referred for testing to definitively determine their COVID-19 status.

However, the healthcare provider may still decide that a person who is considered low risk may need to be tested for COVID-19.

Individuals travelling on behalf of their workplace will be subjected to similar requirements, said Prime Minister Minnis.

To facilitate these arrangements, the Ministry of Health is collaborating closely with the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Prime Minister said policies and procedures have been developed to enhance communication between the two organisations for decisions regarding who can travel; and where they can travel in the Family Islands or Grand Bahama.

In the first phase of inter-island

travel, residents of cleared Family Islands who are in New Providence may travel back home after going through the process outlined.

Individuals were able to start applying on Wednesday, May 20th.

Once cleared for travel, each traveler must present the COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card to the relevant ticket agent.

The card grants approval from the Ministry of Health for inter-island travel. Each person must also present a Government-issued ID. Residents of the cleared Family Islands may travel between those islands by plane or boat, said Prime Minister Minnis.

“For example, a resident of Long Island may travel to Cat Island or any other island included on the list. These residents may travel without the COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card,” said the Prime Minister.

“Those on the Family Islands cleared for commercial activity may also travel to New Providence and Grand Bahama. But in order to return to their respective islands they must complete the procedures and processes outlined.”

Boaters aboard pleasure craft anchored offshore in Bahamian waters for at 14 days will also be allowed to come ashore to conduct routine business, while practicing physical distancing protocols at all times, said Prime Minister Minnis.

The Process for Persons Requesting InterIsland Travel – Explained, Step by Step:

Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, COVID-19 Task Force Coordinator, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, explained the process for persons requesting inter-island travel, who wish to travel to or from New Providence or Grand Bahama by plane or boat during the COVID-19 Update Press Conference at the Ministry of Health, held on Thursday, May 21, 2020, as follows: Step 1: Download the Ministry

May/June, 2020

of Health Application to Travel and consent forms from covid19.gov.bs, or the bahamas.gov.bs/health websites and submit the completed forms to covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs.

She said hard copies can be collected from the main security booth of the Ministry of Health, or any public health clinic, and returned to the Ministry of Health.

Step 2: Select an approved physician and for completion of a risk and physical assessment.

Step 3: Assist the health care team to complete a home quarantine assessment.

Step 4: Await further instructions via email or phone once the application is completed and approved.

The application process will take up to five working days. Applications submitted via hard copy to the Ministry of Health may take a few days longer.

Dr. Dahl-Regis stressed that persons should not make travel arrangements until they have received an official authorized document from the Ministry of Health. Non-approved applicants will be notified.

She explained that the public is also reminded to direct all travel related questions and concerns to the covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs email address. As an alternative, a phone number will be established in short order.

Dr. Dahl-Regis also noted that special requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

She said, “The Ministry of Health thanks members of the public for their patience and cooperation as we continue to refine our travel processes.”

Source: Office of the Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas

2020,

May/June

CDB to provide almost US$67 million to 7 Caribbean countries to counter the COVID-19 crisis May 18, 2020, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is making available emergency loans to seven Caribbean countries, in the first instance, to finance the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a total of US$66.7 million for Antigua and Barbuda (US$13 million), Belize (US$15 million), Dominica (US$2.5 million), Grenada (US$5.9 million), Saint Lucia (US$10.8 million), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (US$11.3 million), and Suriname (US$8.2 million).

“The provision of support to the seven countries to respond to COVID-19 and keep critical government services and operations running is urgent to halt the economic decline and minimise social hardship, while giving focused attention to the most vulnerable people,” says CDB President Dr. Warren Smith.

The emergency loans, made under CDB’s most concessional terms, will provide vital liquidity and increase governments’ fiscal space to allow these countries to promptly meet their urgent financing needs without diverting resources away from critical social expenditures or health emergency needs. Caribbean countries are especially vulnerable to the global outbreak due to their heavy dependence on tourism for income and employment.

According to CDB estimates, many of these countries, including those, which will be supported with emergency loans, will fall into recession this year. Real gross domestic product will decline in Antigua and Barbuda (1.5%), Belize (5.4%), Dominica (2.9%), Grenada (10%), Saint Lucia (9.1%), and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (4.8%). Suriname, heavily dependent on gold production and export, was also severely hit and the economy almost brought to a complete standstill. Its economy is forecast to contract by 3% in 2020.

It is expected that the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be significant, stemming from an increase in unemployment, and loss of income and livelihoods, as well as substantial disruptions of social services, with women, female heads of households and children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrants as the most vulnerable groups.

CDB’s response to COVID-19 to date tops US$200 million, with US$140 million that can be used by the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries to tackle the fallout of the pandemic as well as any other shocks to their economy and US$3 million for the purchase of personal protective equipment.

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Snapshot Covid -19

As it was May 26th, 2020

For daily information visit www.EleutheraNews.com

World Data

(https://clustrmaps.com/)

Note: “Today” refers to May 286h, 2020

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May/June, 2020

Financial Services Minister States, Bahamas Open for Business and Poised to Deliver Highest Standards of Service

Above: Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Elsworth Johnson in a ZOOM Interview with Mr. Gary Robinson of International Investment publication, London. (BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

By Betty Vedrine NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration, the Hon. Elsworth Johnson is sending the message to customers and international partners, that The Bahamas is ready and able to conduct business. The Minister expressed the country’s position to the European market on Monday, May 25, 2020 at the Ministry’s headquarters while being interviewed via Zoom by Gary Robinson, Commercial Director of Incisive Media’s International Investment publication based in London.

When asked what message the Government of The Bahamas wished to convey to the international community about the country’s financial services

at this time, Minister Johnson said that the Bahamas is ‘open’ for business and poised to deliver service of the highest standard.

“Our financial institutions have transitioned well to remote delivery of services,” said Minister Johnson. “We are a jurisdiction centre committed to the highest possible standards of service delivery, transparency and cooperation.”

He also expressed the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the financial services sector and to ensuring full transparency with international obligations while balancing the need for safety and confidentiality to clients.

When asked about The Bahamas’ removal from the European Union’s list of noncooperative jurisdictions for

tax purposes, he said that the message he wanted to deliver to the international community is that the move underscores The Bahamas’ commitment to adhere to global regulations and international best practices as a premiere international financial centre.

“Throughout the entire process of reform, The Bahamas has demonstrated commitment at the highest political level to ensuring that as a jurisdiction, we comply with international standards on information exchange, tackling harmful tax practices, dismantling artificial tax structures and prevention of financial crime, which is critical to our value proposition as a well-regulated international financial centre,” he said. He said it also speaks to close partnerships that exist between the public and

private sectors.

As it related to the country’s adapting to the changing landscape of financial services, the Minister said that growth in the sector requires change, which will include reform and structural transformations, sometimes cultural shifts, technological upgrades, training and retooling.

“We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result,” he said. “An expanding, buoyant and competitive economy demands that we make some difficult but necessary changes.”

Minister Johnson said that although the country is small in size, it is strong in products and services.

He pointed out that global advancement in technology, regional economic weakness, competition, and global regulatory pressure have strained national resources; however, The Bahamas was poised to meet the challenges and to this end has developed a strategy with a clear vision for the future.

“To maintain our success, we have begun to lay the cornerstone for the strategic vision for financial services 2025.

“The objectives include building capacity in local human resource talent, technology, product and service innovation, improved infrastructure, enhanced client service, attractive investment policies and incentives, and flexible adaptability to change management in a well-regulated environment.

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May/June

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IDB Praises MIYA Bahamas’ Water Efficiency Strategies New Providence, Bahamas – On the heels of receiving public recognition from the government of The Bahamas for addressing critical water retention needs in New Providence, the efforts of Miya Bahamas have been acknowledged by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as well.

In a recently released report, the IDB chronicled the many successes of the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Project which, over the past 8 years, has reversed the issue of water losses across the island resulting in savings of 69 million dollars between the years 2013-2018.

“In 2012, the Water & Sewerage Corporation awarded a 83 milliondollar contract, mostly financed by the IDB, to Miya Bahamas, to upgrade the New Providence water utility system and improve its level of efficiency,” explained Miya Bahamas Project Manager, Mario Tavera.

Following the completion of its assessments, the company set and surpassed a series of major milestones including; replacing thousands of faulty service connections, disconnecting thousands of illegal and dormant accounts, implementing a comprehensive and affordable maintenance plan,

designing a proactive leak detection strategy, implementing a pressure management program and installing cutting edge equipment for monitoring and controlling the water supply. Early on in the process Miya had financed and executed the replacement of a significant number of bulk meters of water lines to the largest customers in the island, resulting in an increase of revenues to WSC of non-domestic customers of around 40%.

In its report, the IDB highlighted Miya’s success in meeting the terms of its performance-based contract, while at the same time meeting and even in most years exceeding the deliverables of non-revenue water levels and maintaining them. Miya worked diligently to mitigate unnecessary civil works allowing them the flexibility to achieve their goals while minimalizing customer inconvenience. The use of this performance-based strategy was credited with creating an environment of accountability, which the IDB felt contributed to the success of the project.

Equally impressive was the significant reduction of non-revenue water, which according to the report, constitutes the most important accom-

MIYA Bahamas staff working on leaks in Nassau. (Pre-COVID-19) MIYA Bahamas success, IDB highlighted, was in meeting the terms of its performance-based contract, while at the same time meeting and even in most years exceeding the deliverables of non-revenue water levels and maintaining them.

(Photo courtesy of Ronnie Archer for Barefoot Marketing)

plishment of the program. “In 2019, the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) levels was reduced to 2.00 MIGD”, meeting the very ambitious ultimate target of the program, thanks to key elements like proactive leak detection, rapid repairs, as well as system optimization, GIS updating, SCADA, and the use of data management hardware and software, the report noted.

As the company celebrates the success of the IDB funded project, Miya Bahamas is moving steadily toward future phases despite the COVID-19 threat to the country. With the approval of the government and

its partner the Water & Sewerage Corporation the company is continuing to meet its work commitments.

“To say we are pleased is an understatement. When you take on a ten-year project you hope to do well and our team have exceeded all expectations,” said Amit Horman, Miya CEO.“We are now looking forward to continue our success throughout the Caribbean and our Bahamas team is working hard, within the new Covid guidelines in Nassau, to continue bringing amazing results and benefits for the Bahamian people until the completion of the contract.”

MIYA Bahamas Team. (Pre-COVID 19) Water efficiency strategies implemented by Miya Bahamas have reversed the issue of non-revenue water losses across the island of New Providence, resulting in savings of 69 million dollars. “To say we are pleased is an understatement. When you take on a ten-year project you hope to do well and our team have exceeded all expectations,” said Amit Horman, Miya CEO. (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Archer for Barefoot Marketing)

46 www. EleutheraNews . com

Lo c a l

Virtual 2020 EBO Hosted

The Counsellors Limited in partnership with Page. 1 the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce hosted the Eleuthera Business Outlook 2020 as a Webinar Series which took place on May 21st and 22nd. The free event was held under the theme “Post-COVID-19 Readiness and Preparedness.”

“Although Eleuthera Business Outlook was forced to pivot to an online format this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we were grateful for the opportunity to engage our business community in an innovative and interactive way,” said Joan Albury, CEO of The Counsellors and creator of the Business Outlook Series. “These unprecedented times also gave us the opportunity to tailor discussions towards helping Eleuthera—one of The Bahamas’ most diverse economies—to move forward and emerge stronger and more equipped when the pandemic passes.”

Thursday, May 21st featured two webinars. The 10:30-11:30 am session focused on the economy of Eleuthera, with discussions on Island Readiness: New Protocols and Plans for Reopening the Economy by Howard ‘Rickey’ Mackey, MP, North Eleuthera; Benefits and Forecast by Gowon Bowe, Chief Financial Officer, Fidelity Bank and Public Health and Safety: Impact of COVID-19

by Dr Nikkiah Forbes, Director, Infectious Disease Programme, Ministry of Health.

The second session, from 11:30 am— 12:30 pm on Thursday, focused on enterprise. Discussion topics included: Best Business Practices: Delivery of Goods and Services by Ryan Austin, Secretary, Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce and Dominic Petty of Cable Bahamas; New Protocols for the Hotel Industry by Jennifer Hadland, Manager, French Leave Resort and New Protocols for the Restaurant Industry by Tiffany Johnson-Thompson, Manager, Daddy Joe’s Restaurant and Bar. Friday, May 22nd featured a session on sustainability, from 12-1:30 pm. Discussion topics included: Food Security, BAMSI and Subsistence Farming by Hon Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries & Marine Resources; The Virtual Classroom by Dr Marcellus Taylor, Director of Education; and Train-

ing in a Digital Age by Shaun Ingraham, President/CEO, One Eleuthera Foundation.

Discussions on both days were vibrant and allowed for a number of interactive questions from the digital audience, which panelists were able to answer and expand on.

During Thursday’s first session, featuring MP Rickey Mackey, financier Gowon Bowe, and Dr. Nikkiah Forbes - MP Mackey started off the dialogue, telling attendees that businesses, including hotels and restaurants in North Eleuthera were readying themselves for the eventual re-opening of the island, and would be guided by the Ministry of Health in the safety measures and protocols adopted to ensure the safety of residents and visiting customers.

He also spoke of the recently commissioned reverse osmosis plant in Lower Bogue, North Eleuthera, which became operational on May 11th, that would finally alleviate the poor quality of tap water suffered by residents and businesses within North Eleuthera communities for many years.

Mackey also suggested pivoting the local economy into the area of agricultural development, suggesting that the government should push aggressively in that area to offset some of the revenue normally gotten from the tourism industry. Financial professional, Gowon Bowe, gave an overview of current government initiatives to assist citizens and businesses through the financial challenges caused by the pandemic, and also commented on the path forward economically for the country, highlighting the need for leadership, and a renewed focus on the national development plan, as well as domestic investment. Dr. Nikkiah Forbes with the Infectious Disease Programme, provided information on Covid-19, as well as the strategies being used to mitigate the spread within the Bahamas, and management of health resources to stay ahead of the risks posed by the pandemic.

The second session on Thursday, featuring businessman Ryan Austin, hotel manager Jennifer Hadland, and restaurateur and hotel owner Tiffany JohnsonThompson, centered around readiness for re-opening within their respective areas. Jennifer Hadland spoke of some

May/June, 2020

of the innovative protocols put in place at the restaurant and hotel property she manages to make their guests when they return feel completely safe, from the basics like temperature checks and hand sanitizers to changing how they clean, setup and sanitize rooms and even putting seals on doors to indicate it not having been entered.

Tiffany Johnson-Thompson, highlighting post-Covid-19 preparations in her restaurant business, shared that although the current focus was on takeout service under the current restrictions, her business was also undergoing a comeback plan to adapt to the new reality of working safely. Staff training, and a list of safety measures throughout the operation, as well as a plan to keep records of guest names and numbers to facilitate contact tracing, were all part of preparations to make ready for the reopening of the Eleuthera economy. Another key consideration shared Mrs. JohnsonThompson was striking a balance between warmth and safety, so customers would still feel the accustomed welcome and hospitality of her enterprise. Dominic Petty spoke to the increasing number of digital services being made available to consumers on the island, as a result of the rise in demand, especially in Wi-Fi and data services, while Ryan Austin highlighted the importance of businesses communicating with current and potential customers, as well as using this slower time to reboot and relaunch one’s business, with a focus on increasing your value to customers.

The final session of the 2020 Eleuthera Business Outlook Webinar, which brought together, Minister Michael Pintard, Dr. Marcellus Taylor, and Mr. Shaun Ingraham took aim at sustainability in the context of food security, agricul-

Page. 26

ture and marine resources, virtual classrooms in education and training. Minister Pintard’s presentation honed in on privatizing packing house resources, better utilization of extension officers on island, crop insurance, as well as the image of farming and the recent end on the lease grant moratorium to promote farming and other projects. Pintard also during the discussion, said that a new government policy - to be included in Heads of Agreement (HOA) would require that people looking to invest in the Bahamas purchase 40% of the food they intend to use for their operations from local farmers and fishers - to ensure market access for local producers. Also 75% of government funds spent on food going forward would be spent first on locally produced items before purchasing from other sources, he added.

Dr. Taylor highlighted the work done by the Ministry of Education in the expansion of its’ virtual learning platform to accommodate the nearly 50,000 students now registered with the service. In light of the pandemic, he also spoke on what classrooms in the Bahamas could look like once re-opened, including the continued use of virtual learning tools in the classroom setting, and students having access to the best teacher in a particular subject area using these new tools. Shaun Ingraham spotlighted the recent launch of the Center for Training and Innovation’s (CTI) new virtual campus, which would now allow them to offer many more courses, geared at the targeted and practical learning and education needs of their students. With a 22 acre farm as part of CTI’s physical campus, both the Minister of Agriculture and Director of Education, during the panel discussion, voiced the intention to strengthen partnerships with CTI’s efforts in Eleuthera.

EU LIST cont’d

continue to demonstrate their commitment to strengthening their AML/CFT frameworks and have actively participated in the CFATF’s mutual evaluation process. The Caribbean Community maintains its call for a uniform, fair and transparent assessment process that is based on an inclusive, multilateral framework.As a longstanding partner of the Caribbean Community, the action of the European Commission is not in keeping with the collaborative and supportive relationship between CARICOM and European States.

The Caribbean Community therefore calls upon the European Union Member States to once again reject the Commission’s proposals as callous and premature, at this moment in time.

2020,

May/June

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PAHO Director says fight against COVID-19 pandemic must include chronic disease care With more than 2.4 million cases and over 143,000 deaths the Americas became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic Washington D.C., May 26, 2020 (PAHO)—The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, today said the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region of the Americas must include chronic disease care, as 1 in 4 people are at increased risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19 due to underlying non communicable diseases (NCDs).

Noting that more than 2.4 million cases and over 143,000 deaths have made the Americas the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Etienne said during a media briefing today, “as cases continue to rise in our region, our efforts to protect those with underlying conditions must intensify.”

In South America, “we are particularly concerned that the number of new cases reported last week in Brazil was the highest for a seven-day period, since the outbreak began.

Both Peru and Chile are also reporting a high incidence,” she said. For most countries in the Americas, “now is not the time to relax restrictions or scale back preventive strategies. Now is the time to stay strong, remain vigilant and aggressively implement proven public health measures,” Dr. Etienne said.

“We have never seen such a deadly relationship between an infectious disease and Non-Communicable Diseases.

Some of the data are truly alarming. Especially for our region, where NCDs are pervasive,” she said. “We need aggressive preventive measures to protect people with diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases from the new coronavirus.”

Persons with diabetes are twice as likely to have severe disease or die, and 28 percent of cancer patients who contracted COVID-19 died, compared with 2 percent of overall patients, she said, citing recent studies. Smoking also increases the chance of severe disease from COVID-19.

Stay at home measures, disruptions in provision of health care services, as well as the fear of attending care facilities have resulted in reduced elective clinic visits and lower access to renal dialysis, cancer care, and delays in high priority treatments for patients with NCDs, Dr. Etienne said.

Many health workers who normally provide care for people with chronic disease “have been redirected to the COVID-19 response, adversely impacting the timely diagnosis and treatment of NCDs,” PAHO’s Director added.

Lower access to care from disruptions in health care services “puts patients at higher risk of complications and death from diseases which we know how to treat,” and health systems must find ways to respond “or we will be faced with a parallel epidemic of preventable deaths of persons with NCDs,” Dr. Etienne said.

Prior to COVID-19, 81 percent of all deaths in the Region of the Americas were due to NCDs and 39 percent of these deaths were premature, occurring before 70 years of age.

PAHO’s Director said it was important to find safe methods

Above: WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson (right) and General Manager Elwood Donaldson

WSC Signs Contracts for Re-building of Networks in Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay STATEMENT BY WSC Water and Sewerage Corporation Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson, signed two groundbreaking contracts, May 22, 2020 to further the Corporation’s work in Abaco following devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Mr. Gibson said the signing represented “a continuation of WSC’s objective to fully restore, construct and effect rehabilitation works to the water and sewerage networks in Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour, Abaco.”

The contracts are funded by a $15-milliondollar allocation by the government that is derived from an IDB loan post-Hurricane Dorian.

These funds are particularly directed towards restoration and reconstruction efforts in the hurricane ravaged islands.

Notably, Hurricane Dorian caused significant damage to the corporation’s water and sewerage infrastructure in Abaco, both on the mainland and those surrounding cays that are serviced by the corporation.

During Friday’s proceedings at the corporation’s headquarters, Executive Chairman Gibson signed a contract for $961,250.45 with Island Site Development (ISD). This contract

of delivering essential clinical care for people with NCDs during the pandemic. “For example, many countries are quickly scaling up telemedicine, prioritizing scheduled appointments to avoid crowded waiting rooms and providing services in novel ways.”

Dr. Etienne said that countries should ensure that supply chains for essential NCD medicines are protected and continue to function efficiently, and that these products are

will result in the supply and installation of approximately 1,600 feet of two-inch pipe, 1,000 feet of four-inch pipe and 2,500 feet of 10-inch pipe (PVC) in Treasure Cay, the termination and reinstallation of approximately 600 service laterals and valve installations and exploratory excavations in accordance with the scope of works and technical specifications.

Further, Mr. Gibson signed a contract with Bill Simmons Construction for the supply and installation of approximately 1,600 feet of two-inch pipe and 8,000 feet of four-inch pipe (PVC) in Marsh Harbour (East and West), the termination and reinstallation of approximately 800 service laterals and valve installations and exploratory excavations in accordance with the scope of works and technical specifications.

The contract is valued at $1,418,474.40.

Upon signing both contracts, the Executive Chairman encouraged both contractors to give opportunities for jobs to local Abaconians. Both companies expressed their support for local communities and committed to providing jobs to locals.

Per the contract, the works are expected to be completed within ninety days from the date of commencement.

distributed to the people who need them.

“We also must ensure timely access to care for chronic diseases to prevent them from becoming life-threatening. PAHO is working with countries in the region and providing guidance to help plan and implement these measures. As cases continue to rise in our region, our efforts to protect those with underlying conditions must intensify,” she emphasized.