Despite the Competent Authority’s amendment to the Emergency Order, which prevents Bahamians from having dinner at hotel properties, restaurants at Island House are still accepting online reservations from locals, according to its website.
On Christmas Day, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis signed an amendment to the Emergency Order, which states, “A person who is not a current guest at a hotel or other commercial accommodation situate on an island specified in the Second Schedule shall be required to submit a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test result in order to check in as a guest or utilize any facility on the hotel premises including restaurants, casinos, etc.”
It came two days after police officers wrongfully ticketed patrons at Latitudes, which is a restaurant and hotel. Hotels are allowed to offer in-door dining according to the Emergency Order. However, after the police screw-up, Bahamians are now prohibited from enjoying hotel amenities without a $134 negative COVID test.
Despite this, Island House restaurants including Mahogany and Shima are still offering in-door and outdoor dining services.
The Gallery was able to make a dinner reservation for two, in-doors, on Tuesday night at 7:15pm.
Was this an oversight on the part of the hotel or does Island House follow different rules?
The boutique hotel is owned by the Holoweskos, who are major financial backers of the Free National Movement and enjoy senior positions on several government boards and committees, including Bahamas Power and Light and the National Food Distribution Task Force.