A resolution extending the state of emergency to May 30 is expected to be tabled by Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis in the House of Assembly this morning.
The state of emergency, which is accompanied by continued weekend lockdowns and a 24-hour curfew, is set to expire on Thursday.
However, according to a draft of the resolution, which was obtained by The Nassau Guardian, the state of public emergency in The Bahamas continues to be “necessary and expedient” to the security of public safety; defense of the country; maintenance of public order; suppression of mutiny, rebellion and riot; and maintenance of supplies and services that are essential to the life and well-being of the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor General C.A. Smith declared a state of public emergency in The Bahamas on March 18.
In the weeks that followed, the prime minister imposed a short-lived national grocery-shopping schedule, a five-day complete lockdown and a curfew.
The curfew mandates that residents only leave their houses for essential trips to places such as the grocery store, pharmacy or gas station.
The prime minister recently said he was alarmed by the number of people on the streets of New Providence during the curfew.
“In some areas, it was hard to tell that the country was under a curfew at all,” he said. “The longer it takes to stop the spread of COVID-19, the longer it will take to end the curfews and lockdowns and fully reopen our economy.
“The decision as to when to reopen parts of the economy and to get people back to work rests in all of our hands… Our collective action will help to determine a number of timelines.”
Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands said the emergency orders will help to stop potential “super spreaders” of the virus.
The Bahamas confirmed its first COVID-19 case on March 15.
As of yesterday, there were 80 confirmed cases of COVID-19 locally.
Despite the steady increase in cases, Minnis announced on April 19 that some businesses, including hardware stores and plant nurseries, will be allowed to reopen during the curfew.
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis questioned the prime minister’s rationale for the decision.
“We are sure the public is relieved that there is a slow return to normalcy, but there has to be some idea of what this is based upon and that it is evidence-driven,” he said.
Minnis will deliver a communication in the House at 10 a.m.
The post State of emergency expected to be extended to end of May appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/04/27/state-of-emergency-expected-to-be-extended-to-end-of-may/
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