Covid-19 variants are spreading in the USA and particularly in Florida. Resuming passenger service on the ferry from Florida to Grand Bahama at this time, may just provide the gateway for the highly transmissible variants to enter the country much sooner. Last July's surge may repeat itself to our detriment.
At last week's MOH press conference, health officials (including the Minister of Health) admitted that just over 20,000 visitors and returning residents did not submit for rapid antigen testing on the 5th day after arrival. None of them were alarmed at this large number and its potential risk of introducing another wave of Covid infections in the country. Now that the USA has announced its new policy of requiring a Covid test for entry into the United States, the government is suddenly touting how our 5th day antigen testing will meet the USA's requirement. It seems hypocritical that before the USA announcement, local officials downplayed and could care less about how many persons had breached the requirement. Now only after the USA deems it as a necessity, our government is now interested in enforcing the 5th day rule. So when the health of citizens was at risk, the 5th day testing wasn't a priority, but now it's going to be enforced because of foreign requirements. Hypocrites!
Back in July when the country reopened, persons traveling on Balearia brought Covid-19 back into Grand Bahama which then spread to New Providence and other islands. Whilst it is true that Grand Bahama's economy needs a boost, it would be foolhardy to allow Balearia to transport passengers into Grand Bahama at this time. The USA, and Florida in particular, is currently experiencing its highest rate of Covid-19 infection. If residents and tourists are allowed to travel back and forth from Florida to Grand Bahama onboard Balearia in large numbers, the infection rate on Grand Bahama will rise again. If there is an exorbitant rise in Covid-19 cases, then the island will once again have to undergo lockdown measures. It seems better to limit infection by suspending Balearia's passenger travel at this critical time. Hungry persons can be fed. Dead persons cannot eat.
The Hon minister stated, "It is a cost but the Government and Ministry of Health felt if you leave New Providence and Grand Bahama you should take the covid-19 pcr test and, five days later, take the rapid antigen test....if we don't put in these protocols there's the belief we will return to what happened in August, September and October. They're definitely an impediment to travel. It may be expensive, it may be difficult, but for right now it's ensuring we keep the numbers under control."
So, a rapid antigen test is necessary for inter-island travel to keep Covid numbers under control, but it is NOT necessary for foreign tourists staying at Atlantis to take a rapid antigen test after five days?
Why the discrepancy if the purpose of the rapid antigen test is to keep the numbers under control? What is the secondary measure in place to ensure that visitors do not spread the virus to hotel employees they come in contact with if we are not testing tourists on the fifth day?
School is about to close in four to five weeks for the normal Christmas Break. Wouldn't it make more sense to wait until the reopening of school in the New Year to possibly consider face-to-face instruction in New Providence?
Excuse me if I'm wrong, but I find it very hypocritical for a Canadian to complain about any other country's Covid entry requirements at this time. As I understand it, Canada's borders are still presently closed to non-residents and non-essential travel, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
Pre-Covid 19 era, when a traveler wished to visit another country that required visas etc for entry, costs for such were paid for by the traveler not the destination country. So I ask, why should any country be required to pay for tests on behalf of any visitor?
The writer makes the statement, "Many Canadians own holiday properties in the Bahamas and cannot look elsewhere." Surely, if you can afford to own a holiday property here, you can definitely afford to pay for your Covid testing.
dwanderer says...
Covid-19 variants are spreading in the USA and particularly in Florida. Resuming passenger service on the ferry from Florida to Grand Bahama at this time, may just provide the gateway for the highly transmissible variants to enter the country much sooner. Last July's surge may repeat itself to our detriment.
On PM points to easing restrictions on Grand Bahama
Posted 12 February 2021, 12:25 p.m. Suggest removal
dwanderer says...
At last week's MOH press conference, health officials (including the Minister of Health) admitted that just over 20,000 visitors and returning residents did not submit for rapid antigen testing on the 5th day after arrival. None of them were alarmed at this large number and its potential risk of introducing another wave of Covid infections in the country. Now that the USA has announced its new policy of requiring a Covid test for entry into the United States, the government is suddenly touting how our 5th day antigen testing will meet the USA's requirement. It seems hypocritical that before the USA announcement, local officials downplayed and could care less about how many persons had breached the requirement. Now only after the USA deems it as a necessity, our government is now interested in enforcing the 5th day rule. So when the health of citizens was at risk, the 5th day testing wasn't a priority, but now it's going to be enforced because of foreign requirements. Hypocrites!
On Bahamas 'pushes' for U.S. COVID exemption
Posted 15 January 2021, 9:48 a.m. Suggest removal
dwanderer says...
Back in July when the country reopened, persons traveling on Balearia brought Covid-19 back into Grand Bahama which then spread to New Providence and other islands. Whilst it is true that Grand Bahama's economy needs a boost, it would be foolhardy to allow Balearia to transport passengers into Grand Bahama at this time. The USA, and Florida in particular, is currently experiencing its highest rate of Covid-19 infection. If residents and tourists are allowed to travel back and forth from Florida to Grand Bahama onboard Balearia in large numbers, the infection rate on Grand Bahama will rise again. If there is an exorbitant rise in Covid-19 cases, then the island will once again have to undergo lockdown measures. It seems better to limit infection by suspending Balearia's passenger travel at this critical time. Hungry persons can be fed. Dead persons cannot eat.
On Freeport 'strangled' over Baleària wait
Posted 4 January 2021, 10:41 a.m. Suggest removal
dwanderer says...
The Hon minister stated, "It is a cost but the Government and Ministry of Health felt if you leave New Providence and Grand Bahama you should take the covid-19 pcr test and, five days later, take the rapid antigen test....if we don't put in these protocols there's the belief we will return to what happened in August, September and October. They're definitely an impediment to travel. It may be expensive, it may be difficult, but for right now it's ensuring we keep the numbers under control."
So, a rapid antigen test is necessary for inter-island travel to keep Covid numbers under control, but it is NOT necessary for foreign tourists staying at Atlantis to take a rapid antigen test after five days?
Why the discrepancy if the purpose of the rapid antigen test is to keep the numbers under control? What is the secondary measure in place to ensure that visitors do not spread the virus to hotel employees they come in contact with if we are not testing tourists on the fifth day?
On Minister: 'We don't make $1' through health travel visa
Posted 14 December 2020, 3:04 p.m. Suggest removal
dwanderer says...
School is about to close in four to five weeks for the normal Christmas Break. Wouldn't it make more sense to wait until the reopening of school in the New Year to possibly consider face-to-face instruction in New Providence?
On In-class lessons back by year end? Lloyd signals pupils may soon be allowed to head back into the classroom
Posted 13 November 2020, 11:34 a.m. Suggest removal
dwanderer says...
Excuse me if I'm wrong, but I find it very hypocritical for a Canadian to complain about any other country's Covid entry requirements at this time. As I understand it, Canada's borders are still presently closed to non-residents and non-essential travel, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
Pre-Covid 19 era, when a traveler wished to visit another country that required visas etc for entry, costs for such were paid for by the traveler not the destination country. So I ask, why should any country be required to pay for tests on behalf of any visitor?
The writer makes the statement, "Many Canadians own holiday properties in the Bahamas and cannot look elsewhere." Surely, if you can afford to own a holiday property here, you can definitely afford to pay for your Covid testing.
On Rules make it too hard to plan visit
Posted 16 October 2020, 12:46 p.m. Suggest removal