Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis is expected to roll back some Covid-19 restrictions when he addresses the country by Sunday to allow Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest to hold a proper funeral for his mother and National Security Minister Marvin Dames to properly bury his father.
Both Ministers lost parents in late October but were backed into a corner as they would face massive backlash if they sought special permission from the Competent Authority to hold funerals in a church with more than ten people and burials.
The current Emergency Order limits funerals to a graveside service attended by no more than ten mourners and an officiant. Countless families have had their grief compounded and suffered the heartbreak of skipping loved ones’ funerals due to these restrictions.
However, the Minnis Administration knew it would look bad for two of its ministers to bury their parents following proper funerals while the average family has been forced to follow COVID orders.
As a result, Minnis has decided to capitalize on the decrease in new Covid-19 cases to ease funeral restrictions.
However, it may not come in time for former cabinet minister the late Darrell Rolle, who is set to be laid to rest. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham railed against funeral restrictions today and said it is a shame that a man who has made such a meaningful contribution to the country’s development during his time in public office will not have a proper funeral in the church he worshipped in for so many years.
Minnis has promised to address Bahamians by Sunday after meeting with senior health officials this week.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are 34 new Covid-19 cases. There are 14 new cases on New Providence, 13 additional cases on Grand Bahama, 5 on Eleuthera, 1 on the Berry Islands and one case with the location pending.