While health officials were unable to say how long curfew and lockdown measures will likely remain in effect, Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, health consultant to the prime minister, said yesterday that they will continue past the end of April.
Asked if it is the recommendation of the task force that the lockdowns continue past April, Dahl-Regis said: “The answer is yes.”
Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands said he has no idea when the country will begin to reopen.
“The more adherent we are to these interventions and initiatives, the sooner this will end,” he said.
“And then, we will have to be deliberate, cautious and careful in a methodical rollout of the reopening. At this point, we have no time for that. We have no date when that is going to happen.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that some of the curfew restrictions would be eased despite the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. Auto parts stores, home stores and plant nurseries were allowed to open on limited days.
Many have raised concerns over the large number of people out during the curfew as a result.
Dahl-Regis said that the task force has recommended there be no further relaxation of restrictions. Asked whether some of these businesses will be made to close again, she said it will depend.
“We are only recommending no further relaxation of restrictions,” she said.
Dahl-Regis said health officials don’t know when they expect cases in The Bahamas to peak, but they hope it will be this week.
“Let us hope that it is this week,” she said.
“We are following it very closely, but I am unable to say. Each week, based on the findings, we have to look at the various models and see what fits the data, the data that comes in from the cases. It’s not only the number of cases, but the onset of illnesses, when symptoms begin, the time of the lab testing. There are many variables that are considered.
“…So, unfortunately, I cannot give you a date, but I’m hoping that given the situation that we were in a week ago and where we are now that within a week’s time we would have a better idea.”
As of yesterday, there were 72 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas. Eleven people have died.
The post No date yet to end curfew, lockdown appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/04/24/no-date-yet-to-end-curfew-lockdown/
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