Despite a two-week lockdown on Grand Bahama and a weekend lockdown for the rest of the country, ten people tested positive for the coronavirus today, taking the total number of cases in The Bahamas to 326. Cases are expected to rise in the coming days now that the government has reversed its decision to close borders.
Grand Bahama, deemed the epicenter of the virus in the country, recorded four new cases today - four days into its lockdown.
Four men and two women tested positive on New Providence while one woman and three men tested positive on Grand Bahama, which has surpassed New Providence as the island with the highest number of cases.
In response to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the entire country - with the exception of Grand Bahama - is currently under weekend lockdown and will see heightened restrictions as of Monday, including a 7pm curfew, no indoor and outdoor dining, no gym and outdoor group exercise, and a maximum of five people at weddings and funerals.
As of Tuesday, domestic travel will be halted. Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer when asked why international travel would be permitted to continue despite the impending ban on domestic travel.
There was mass confusion today as Bahamians with travel plans scrambled to find out if they would still be able to travel this weekend despite the lockdown.
Though the government has released the Weekend Lockdown Emergency Orders, officials have not released the new orders that addresses the new restrictions that take effect on Monday - adding to the confusion.
Bahamians have been warned to expect more weekend lockdowns in the future.
It was a nightmare on New Providence Friday as residents crowded grocery stores and gas stations to stock up on basic essentials. At some stores, the long lines stretched outdoors and into the parking lot.
There are 159 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bahama, 130 confirmed cases in New Providence, 21 confirmed cases in Bimini, 6 confirmed cases in the Berry Islands, 4 confirmed cases in Cat Cay, 3confirmed cases in Moore’s Island, 2 confirmed cases in Cat Island, and 1 case in Great Guana Cay (Baker’s Bay).