Gallery Staff
Jun 4, 20202 min
In his first press conference since April 19, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that The Bahamas has started to enter phase 4 of its reopening. The government has eased more restrictions, including lifting the dreaded weekend lockdowns, effective June 13.
“Starting next weekend, the 13th of June, the weekend lockdowns will be lifted,” according to Minnis.
“We have decided to maintain the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew Monday to Sunday for a period of time.
“We are doing this in order to continue to open in a gradual and sustained manner,” he said. “I wish to announce that effective Monday, June 8th, beach and park restrictions will be removed for the islands of Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Exuma and San Salvador.”
Beaches and parks on New Providence, Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, and Bimini remain closed.
Also effective Monday, June 8:
• Exercise is permitted 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. beyond one’s immediate neighborhood every day of the week. Group exercise and sporting activities and events are still restricted.
• All professional services and commercial activity may resume regular operating hours but must be closed by 7 p.m. daily. This does not include restaurants, bars, hair salons, barbers, cinemas, gyms and cultural and entertainment facilities, which are to remain closed.
• Places of worship may resume regular office hours.
• Fishing is allowed with more than two people in a vessel.
Minnis also announced that effective Friday, June 12, restaurants may re-open with outdoor seating only.
“This includes restaurants at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry, and Potter’s Cay Dock.
All restaurants must follow industry COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, “ he said.
Effective Monday, June 15th, hair salons and barbershops may resume operations following certification by the Ministry of Health.
National exams BJC and BGCSE will be held July 13.
Minnis also announced that the Government’s quarantine facility will be disabled on Friday June 5 on New Providence and Grand Bahama.
He also said returning Bahamians and residents will no longer be required to quarantine upon returning home but will be monitored by the Ministry of Health Surveillance Unit and Hubbcat monitoring app, if necessary.