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24 Hour Weekend lockdowns announced for New Providence and Abaco - Ongoing since first week in October

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis during as address in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, October 7th, announced new restrictions for New Providence and Abaco.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, during an address in the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning, October 7th, 2020, announced a new set of restrictions and safety measures for the islands of New Providence and Abaco, as a result of the pace of their increasing cases.

“High numbers in New Providence,” said the PM, setting up his position in support of the new measures, “have placed a significant strain on the health system and healthcare workers... Hospitals are full. Medical teams have been pushed to their capacity.

“If there is further deterioration in the situation on New Providence,” he added, “we risk the collapse of the healthcare system. The current situation in New Providence and Abaco requires new restrictions to reduce infections and save lives”

“The new restrictions seek to balance the needs of the people to make a living, and the serious public health concerns of the moment. Nobody wants or likes complete lockdowns or full restrictions, so we seek to implement what is reasonable and necessary for a period of time - to reduce sickness and death. When the goal of cases being reduced have been achieved, the restrictive measures will be removed,” he communicated.

PM Minnis said that after a briefing from PAHO and meetings with the Ministry of Health, and to balance the health, economic and social needs of the country, the Bahamas Cabinet agreed to a variety of measures for both New Providence and Abaco. “The measures we are taking are multi-dimensional, and include enforcement of regulations, encouragement and ongoing public education. The greatest measure is still the individual’s responsibility...,” he emphasized, and continued, “The new measures are designed and targeted to reduce the spread of Covid-19 on both New Providence and Abaco.”

“The following provisions (Abaco and New Providence only) took effect on Friday, October 9th, 2020 at 7pm:

- A full 3-Day 24 hour weekend curfew for NP and Abaco only, to end on Tuesday, October 13th at 5am. - Continued weekend curfews beginning on Fridays at 7pm and ending on Monday mornings at 5am. - During weekend curfews, only essential services permitted to operate. - Sea and airports to continue operating. - One hour religious services to continue on weekends from 7am to 1pm. - Pharmacies, gas P41 stations, construction sites, laundromats, al-