Prime Minister Hubert Minnis (File Photo).
NASSAU, Bahamas--Prime Minister Hubert Minnis announced the relaxation of additional coronavirus COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, including the resumption of in-store services for retail businesses on certain islands, not including New Providence.
This applies to Acklins, Abaco, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua and Mayaguana – islands in the second schedule of the emergency orders.
Casinos, bars, gyms and other high-risk businesses are still prohibited from operating.
Speaking from Grand Bahama, Minnis said businesses may determine their operating hours between 5:00am and 10:00pm.
Restaurants, excluding those on New Providence, are permitted to offer indoor dining. New Providence restaurants are only allowed to offer outdoor dining and take-out services at this time.
Residents on all islands in the second schedule, except for New Providence, may have small social gatherings with a maximum of 10 people.
Minnis said residents on all islands, including New Providence, may exercise in their neighbourhoods between 5:00am and 10:00pm. Residents are also allowed to participate in outdoor group exercise between 5:00am and 12:00pm and beaches and parks are allowed to open from 5:00am to noon. Worship services are allowed in sanctuary.
Inter-island charters are now allowed. Additionally, inter-island commercial air travel may resume on September 9. Minnis noted that COVID-19 test results are not required except for those traveling from New Providence.
The prime minister also advised that police will be monitoring construction sites to ensure construction workers are wearing masks.
He said construction workers will now be fined for not wearing masks. Multiple infractions could lead to the temporary closure of the construction site. The prime minister noted that the construction industry has become a breeding ground for COVID-19 in The Bahamas. ~The Nassau Guardian ~
