bahamasweddings

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis says he gave permission for a wedding to held in Harbour Island on Saturday, where more than 5 people were in attendance, not adhering to COVID-19 protocols. 

The Progressive Liberal Party is calling on Prime Minister Hubert Minnis to resign after he admitted that he gave permission for a “preplanned wedding with more than five in attendance,” over the weekend in Harbour Island, Eleuthera.

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell said Dr. Minnis should resign like Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands who was accused of breaching protocol.

Mitchell said, “If the Prime Minister were to be judged by the standard that he projected in his speech to his new Ministers in May of 2017, it then stands to reason that he has lost the moral authority to continue to lead on COVID-19 and must resign just as former Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands resigned under very similar circumstances.”

On Friday, Dr. Minnis imposed a weekend lock down, stating among other measures that, weddings that were planned for that weekend were permitted but with only a maximum number of five people including the officiant, in attendance.

A video circulated on social media showcasing a destination wedding on Harbour Island where more than five people were in attendance and guests did not wear masks nor were they practicing social distancing.

Dr. Minnis responded that he gave permission for the wedding to be held “provided that proper COVID-19 mitigation protocols were adhered to,” and has since requested a police investigation into reports that the protocols were not obeyed.

To this, Mitchell said, “The PLP finds it extraordinary and inexplicable that the Competent Authority, the Prime Minister, has taken responsibility by publicly admitting to violating protocols of his own Emergency Orders when he granted permission for not one, but two weddings to take place this weekend.”

Mitchell calls the permission granted by the prime minister, a “display of rank and ‘in your face’ double standards.”

He said Bahamians had to cancel social events planned and scheduled for the weekend at considerable cost while Dr. Minnis gave others “a privileged and free pass.”  He said Dr. Minnis has one set of rules for ordinary Bahamians and another set of rules for “the whims and conveniences of party insiders and the well connected.”

A destination wedding held over the weekend in Harbour Island Eleuthera, during the national lock down, received heavy criticism from Bahamians who questioned government’s treatment of foreigners over Bahamian nationals.

A video of the wedding circulated social media on Sunday, showing a foreign bride and groom celebrating their union with guests in attendance of more than five, which goes against  stipulations of weddings in the new order announced on Friday by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.

Dr. Minnis announced an immediate lock down on Friday night at 10 pm, stating among other measures that, “weddings that were planned for this weekend will also be permitted with a maximum number of five people including the officiant.”

After the video circulated social media showing a large gathering of people celebrating the destination wedding, Bahamians took to social media questioning the allowance of a wedding for foreigners who were not adhering to the COVID-19 protocols, as guests were seen without masks and dancing in close proximity to each other.

Many Bahamian couples postponed their weddings this weekend because of the limitation in the maximum number of people able to attend weddings.

Some posters on Shenique Miller-The Conversation Facebook page, pointed out that laws in the Bahamas are applied differently to nationals and foreigners.

Je Miller said it was “a shame,” saying that her friend had to rush his wedding on Friday because of  the new lock down.

Lakeisha Strachan said, it was not a “surprise” as “we all know the power of the mighty dollar in this country.”

While Valentino Kemp said, “Tourists can break all the rules and not feel and pressure. Meanwhile Bahamians [are] getting locked up for not wearing mask in their car…”

Denette Miller expressed understanding for the foreign couple and the prime minister, saying that Dr. Minnis closed the country abruptly and “it was unfair to all persons who had plans on Saturday.” She added that citizens should not expect the prime minister and law enforcement officers to “babysit everyone.”

Marvin Rahming said as the country locks down to prevent spread of the virus, the economy needs a boost. He said, “The economy is already dead. The only thing we have here is tourism…the show has to go on.”

The outrage comes after charges against three American tourists were dismissed in the Magistrates Court two weeks ago, after telling the court that they jumped a fence to gain access to closed Cabbage beach, after a police in “brown uniform” gave them permission.

Beaches were closed during the Independence holiday to prevent gatherings. And since Friday’s announcement, beaches remain closed.