Why doesn't the union do what a number of unions do in the US? Collect money from union members, and when a strike or pandemic occurs they can pay the union members out of that fund. Forcing the hotels to raise their rates when they are going to have limited occupancy and income could be deadly.

The current rule for private pilots and boats to enter requiring a covid test is insane. Furthermore, they just announced this on Thursday with 4 days until the 15th. It is conceivable that you would be entering the Bahamas with a stale 15 day old test which only wastes tests. The only reason that they are requiring this is political since they are requiring people traveling on commercial aircraft to have a Covid test-which by the way is also stale. You would think the PM, as a doctor, would realize this. The fact is there is no way, except for closing the gates, to prevent Covid from coming in. Even instant tests upon entry, which are unreliable and currently not available in bulk, aren't the answer. I highly doubt the Bahamas has taken this closure to stock up on PPG and ventilators and prepare hospitals for the next wave like they have done in the U.S. The Bahamas is stuck between a rock and a hard place-economic annihilation and potential sickness. No one knows the answer. There is a point where the Bahamas can't borrow enough money to stay alive. All of us have a choice to stay inside and avoid contact. If you have this legitimate fear, and have enough money to do this that is your best choice. If you have to earn money to live, there is a calculated risk you have to take. And, they have to let the tourists in. Sounds like the cruise ships, Baha Mar, Sandals are delaying until the fall. That may slow things down but slows the economy down. Only time will tell. But, do away with these stupid stale tests. That is the one thing that definitely doesn't work.

A Covid test for anyone coming in is a total waste of resources and tests. The test only means at the moment you were tested (days ago) that you didn’t have the virus that day-not that you don’t have it the day you enter the Bahamas. Unless they have thousands of instantaneous result tests (which they don’t) to test on arrival-forget the test. This isn’t brain surgery.

Great article. But let’s look at the reality. Let’s say everyone has a negative Covid test in the past 10 days. This means they didn’t have the virus when they took the test(which is basically the waste of the test). Now they get on a cruise ship with thousands others. Disembark in Nassau. Come down with a bad cough and 102 fever during the day. Does Nassau keep that person? Can he go back on the ship? Do they have to contract trace the whole ship? What if there are more infections. Will the US let them dock or does the 3 day cruise turn into a 14 day quarantine? There are so many protocols that have to be put into place. In Korea, one man who went to 3 nightclubs in 1 night infected 168 others. You really think the Big Petri Dish (read cruise ship) won’t be a disaster? Has the Bahamas spent the last 3 months gathering PPG, ventilators, outfitting the family islands with PPG and ventilators? I think we all know the answers. I think we all realize the Bahamas has to open up or the government and the people will have too big of a hole to climb out of-but it is not going to be easy.

Gee-how exciting! What an announcement. That PVC must have been in extremely short supply for the last 9 months. Why didn’t they do this 8 months ago? So, let’s see-90 days to complete-that means on Dorian’s anniversary-12 months later-they may have water service unless they get “mental fatigue” like BPL. Hopefully, a private firm actually gets the job done. Of course, they are saying supply and installation. No one is saying anything about actual connection.

You are right-some of these fines are huge-and people can't work to pay them. Wouldn't it be better to fine them half as much or 25% and if they get caught a second time then hand down the big fines. The idea of keeping 2 islands closed to keep the rush down makes no sense. If that is the criteria, just wait until 4,000-6,000 are disembarking in Nassau on cruise ships from the US in 30 days. Does anyone really believe that Nassau can handle that? Of course they can't. And, the out-islands are in between a rock and a hard place. People are going to travel from Nassau to Abaco carrying the virus. A lot of the workforce in Abaco haven't earned a nickel since September 1. If it wasn't for our friends in the US, Abaco would be more decimated than it is already. There are no cases in Abaco. But, trust me, there will be. Or, are they going to put a dome over the top of Abaco for 2 years? How are people going to earn money? The US and other countries have taken the last 2 months to stockpile supplies, testing, PPG, ventilators to be able to handle the next crunch. I don't see that happening on the out-islands. It is going to be a difficult 6 months. And, there is no "right" answer.

I don't know what all the fuss is about? Royal Caribbean is selling cruises out of Port Canaveral to Nassau on June 11. That's only 23 days away. Our Trusty Minister of Tourism says no cruise ship will bypass Nassau and Royal Caribbean says it is stopping in Nassau. So, looks like Bahamas is opening up on June 12. Why haven't they made this announcement? Just think, 4000-6000 people descending on Nassau. How are they all going to get their medical cards?

I don't know what all the fuss is about? Royal Caribbean is selling cruises out of Port Canaveral to Nassau on June 11. That's only 23 days away. Our Trusty Minister of Tourism says no cruise ship will bypass Nassau and Royal Caribbean says it is stopping in Nassau. So, looks like Bahamas is opening up on June 12. Why haven't they made this announcement? Just think, 4000-6000 people descending on Nassau. How are they all going to get their medical cards?

I have lived in fear of this virus, more than most people. I am staying at home with minimum trips to the grocery story since March 17. The health care is terrible in most of the Bahamas. The government is pretty-well really inept. Look at Abaco. This could be any island in 2020 only no place to evacuate to if Covid is active-which I fully believe it will be. So what is the answer? Do you put a dome over every family island? Impossible. People might be able to get by for 2 maybe 3 months. But 2 years? With absolutely no tourists? Even a 7 day old Covid test is worthless. 14 day quarantine is an impossibility for tourists. As much as it hurts me to say it, I think the Family Islands have to open up. Maybe a 14 day daily health check-in with a nurse and if there are any symptoms out you go. The Minister of Tourism says no cruise ship will bypass the Bahamas-well they are scheduled to start August 1 with probably 5-6,000 people per day in Nassau. There will be a trickle down effect. It’s not an easy answer and I don’t think the government is ready-but I fear there is no other choice.

No wonder the consulate isn't answering, the boss is "working remotely". Wait a minute-did they forward the phones to her too? Let's see-if she was in Miami she could probably answer 10 calls an hour x 8 hours would be 80 calls per day that her helpers don't have to answer and no boss there to make decisions as was obvious on the flight that allowed the covid positive guy. What a mess! And, she can't go back for 14 days (quarantine) so no one minding the coop for 2 weeks.