infections

The government will retighten COVID-19 restrictions as health officials battle the latest swell in new infections.

Health officials confirmed 110 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, which brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 13,957.

A fifty-year-old woman from New Providence died on Thurday. This brings the total number of
confirmed COVID-19 deaths to 280. Twenty-three deaths are still being investigated.

Here are the new measures:

1. Curfew changes on Monday from 10 pm to 5am for New Providence, Grand Bahama, North and South Eleuthera and Harbour Island.
2. Unvaccinated travelers will require a PCR negative test.
3. Church services will be reduced to 33% capacity and limited to 1 hour of service.
4. Political groups are limited to 5 people and must be fully vaccinated.
5. Weddings are limited to 30 people, excluding the officiant.
6. Funerals are limited to the outdoors with a maximum of 30 people excluding workers and the officiant.
7. Restaurants are limited to outdoors and takeaway services.
8. Spas will be prohibited.
9. Exercise groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people. There will be no recreational or sporting activities.
10. Groups congregating on the beaches and parks should be no more than 5 people.

The government has implemented a daily 7 pm to 5 am curfew for North and South Bimini, beginning Thursday night to assist in controlling the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases on the island.

Why it matters

Bimini Island has a total of 173 cases of COVID-19. On Monday, health officials revealed that 11 new cases on the island were linked to clusters at a local resort.

Health Minister Renward Wells confirmed on Tuesday that a health team was deployed to the island to examine the new outbreaks and carry out vaccinations on the island.

The details

The newly amended Order provides for the following on North and South Bimini:

• Social gatherings are prohibited.
• Funeral services may be held at the graveside only, and are limited to a maximum of 10 people,  not including officiants and funeral service workers.
• Services are subject to physical distancing and any other health protocols issued by the Bahamas Christian Council and approved by the Ministry of Health.
• Weddings are permitted in a church, a facility or outdoors provided that the number of attendees is limited to 10, including the officiant, and that all attendees wear masks.
• Wedding receptions are prohibited.
• Church services may be held daily between 6 am and 6 pm in accordance with physical distancing and other health protocols provided by the Bahamas Christian Council and approved by the Ministry of Health.
• All bars are prohibited from operating.
• Groups are limited to a maximum of five persons on beaches and parks.
• Hotel and cruise ship guests will be required to remain on the premises of the hotel or cruise ship during the curfew period. Hotel and cruise ship guests may also move between the hotel and marina, to the extent the marina is part of the premises of the hotel, during the curfew period.