2020,
nat io na l
Oct/Nov
The Eleutheran
41
Bahamians Advised to Take Additional Funds When Traveling to Address Unforeseen Expenses Related to Covid-19 Protocols The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in mid-October 2020, attempting to curtail an increasing volume of requests by Bahamians abroad for financial assistance while traveling, issued the following statement: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise Bahamians traveling abroad to take sufficient funds with them in the event they run into additional expenses as a result of restrictions and protocols put in place because of COVID-19. Bahamians are increasingly approaching Bahamas Embassies and Consulates Overseas requesting financial assistance related to COVID-19 testing, quarantine, accommodations, airline ticket changes, etc. The Ministry wishes to advise that our Over-
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seas Missions do not have sufficient discretionary financial resources to accommodate and maintain persons who find themselves stranded because of a lack of funds. Persons travelling in this COVID environment should anticipate that there will be delays and interruptions in their schedules that may result in them having to remain in these overseas jurisdictions longer than they had intended. Bahamians who are in distress should continue to contact the nearest Bahamas Overseas Mission and should be reminded that though each request for assistance is considered on its own merits, the general policy governing the award of financial assistance to Bahamians in foreign jurisdic-
PM restrictions
lowed to operate during weekend curfew. - National Food Task Force distribution to be tailored for weekdays. - No social gatherings to be allowed whatsoever (strictly enforced to reduce the spread of Covid-19). - Police to setup monitoring stations during curfew. - A telephone Hotline has been set up for citizens to report on social gatherings at 702-9967-9. - Religious services during the week, to continue according to guidelines. - Funerals - Only ten people permitted at graveside, in addition to officiant. No repasts. - Weddings - ten people only permitted, in addition to officiant. No receptions. - Schools on New Providence and Abaco to proceed virtually - no in person schooling for students. - Beaches and parks are again closed on NP and Abaco.
Cont’d
- Exercise permitted in one’s neighbourhood (Mon to Fri 5am to 7pm). Exercise on weekend in an individual’s yard only. - Gyms are closed once again. - Workplaces - seen as a major source of spread by health officials All who can work from home should do so, said PM Minnis. Where possible, a shift system to be implemented to allow as few people as possible at the workplace. - PM Minnis made a special appeal to businesses to adhere to safety and health guidelines. - Public Officers, he said, were to work from home. - Restaurants - only takeaway, curbside and deliveries permitted. No indoor or outdoor dining on New Providence and Abaco. - All retail will be curbside, except for foodstores. - Gas stations are not permitted to allow indoor services. - Hotels allowed to have outdoor
tions is to have a family member, or some other individual, deposit with the Consular Division of the Ministry an amount equivalent to the amount requested of the Overseas Mission by the person who, because of unforeseen circumstances resulting from COVID-19 protocols requires assistance. The funds will then be advanced to the individual by the nearest Consular Office, whose funds will then be reimbursed by the Ministry.”
dining for guests. - All fines for breaches of protocols to be doubled (with the exception of the mask-wearing fine) to encourage adherence to public measures. - Businesses to be fined on first violation, and closed on second violation of orders - for 14 days. - If a business or construction site has a 10% infection rate of its full compliment of staff, the business will be closed, and all staff members quarantined for 14 days. - Bahamians and residents seeking to book at hotels on New Providence and Abaco will be required to have a negative RT/PCR test before entering such facilities.” Health officials, said Prime Minister Minnis, have set targeted goals and timelines to measure the impact of the restrictive measures, and the likely success of slowing the transmission of Covid-19 in New Providence and Abaco. The measures of success he said would include: Numbers of cases no longer increasing; Hospitalizations decreasing; a reduction in the need for ICU or intensive care, and a de-
crease in Covid-related deaths. The success of these measures, said the PM, will inform health officials and the government whether more restrictive measures are needed or if measures can be relaxed. The measures outlined, he added, has no effect on air travel, with no changes to the current travel regime, and the opening of the international tourism sector remains set for November 1st, 2020. These measures, he said, were also being taken, in order to reduce case numbers in preparation for the border opening of the tourism sector.
