Prime Minister Minnis announces total lockdown of Bahamas after COVID-19 spike

Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis Monday night announced a “complete national lockdown” of every island in The Bahamas for at least the next 2 weeks after the country recorded a significant spike in the number of cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a nationwide radio and television broadcast, Minnis said that acting on the advice of health experts “I am announcing today a national lockdown for the entire country commencing tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4th at 10:00 pm (local time). The national lockdown will be for a minimum of 2 weeks (and) nearing the end of this period we will assess the health data and advise whether a further lockdown period is necessary. The extension, relaxation or cessation of the national lockdown will in part be determined by the cooperation of Bahamians and residents alike.”

Minnis, who is also a medical practitioner, said the longer Bahamians take collectively “to bring this second wave under control, the longer it will take to resume a sense of normalcy. All of our actions collectively make a difference during this pandemic. We all have a personal and social responsibility in the fight against COVID-19. Both government and citizens must play their part in helping to protect the health of others. Each island in our archipelago must do its part,” he added.

Minnis said that the increase in cases of the virus is not only a situation confronting The Bahamas, but that many countries worldwide were also experiencing this second wave of the virus for which there is no known vaccine.

“Just as we acted aggressively and forcefully during the initial outbreak of the pandemic we must once again act quickly and forcefully to protect the general health and to save lives,” he said, adding that over the past two weeks health officials have seen an increase in the number of indicators that point to the need for a national lockdown. -(CMC)