By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Bimini businesses yesterday gave mixed reactions to the Government’s requirement that persons travelling to and from the island must take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test in a bid to contain the latest outbreak.

One told Tribune Business they had “no problem” with the measure, even though no PCR testing kits were present on the island when it was announced, and urged fellow Biminites to become vaccinated against COVID-19. Others, though, lamented the tightening of travel restrictions for Bahamians.

Marie Robins, general manager of M and S Liquor Store, said the Government has to “do what it has to do” and she has “no problem” with requiring a negative PCR COVID-19 test for persons to enter and depart Bimini.

“I’m fully vaccinated. We need to get vaccinated. If you don’t trust the AstraZeneca vaccine that’s on you; what could you say?” she said. “Being locked up and the other restrictions don’t make any sense, so if being vaccinated will help the situation then why shouldn’t we be?”

The Government’s PCR test mandate was imposed after COVID-19 cases on Bimini began increasing last month, resulting in Crystal Cruises cancelling planned weekly calls on the island until further notice.

Nathan Foulkes, general manager of N&N Market Centre, said of the move: “We don’t feel good. The good thing is that this won’t stop most of the tourists from coming in because most of them are vaccinated, but for Bahamians travelling back and forth this is going to be a hindrance for them.”

Charles Wilkinson, owner/operator of Charlie’s Native Bread, said that if the need for a RT-PCR hinders tourism “there is nothing anybody can do about it. The only thing we have to do is just take care of ourselves”.