Bahamas consulate advises residents in U.S. to exercise caution

A policemen watch as a vehicle burns as protesters demonstrate Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Thousands of people converged on downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and some demonstrators set fire to a police car and threw eggs and wrote graffiti on a police station. AP

As violent protests continue across some parts of the United States, the Bahamas Consulate General in New York has cautioned Bahamians against getting involved.

“We wish to advise Bahamians traveling throughout, temporarily and permanently living within the U.S. but especially those cities affected, to exercise appropriate caution generally,” the consulate said in a statement on Sunday.

“Do not be confrontational and always cooperate with the directives and instructions of State and local officials.

“If there is any issue, please allow consular officers from The Bahamas to deal with the matter. Do not get involved in political or other demonstrations under any under circumstances and avoid crowds.”

Protests and riots erupted across the United States following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed while being detained by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25. While some protests have been peaceful, in some parts of the United States buildings were burned and businesses looted.

Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Sidney Collie told The Guardian on Saturday that his office as well as the consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, are “monitoring the situation in Fulton County, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, where states of emergencies have been invoked”.

The Bahamas has consular offices in New York, Washington, Miami and Atlanta and honorary consuls in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and Houston.

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No ‘definitive date’ for Atlantis reopening

The Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Atlantis said yesterday it still does not have “a definitive date” for its reopening, noting that employees will stop receiving ex gratia payments as of tomorrow.

The resort is the largest private employer in the country.

“During the closure period, we have done everything possible to ease your concerns,” Atlantis said in an email to employees.

“As previously communicated, the ex gratia payment that you have been receiving will come to an end on May 31st.

“We understand this may create additional hardship for you and your families. And you can be confident that we are exploring all avenues to lessen your burden.”

It said employee medical benefits coverage have been extended through July 31 “at which time we will evaluate our options and communicate further”.

The resort, like many other hotels in The Bahamas, closed in March after the governor general declared a state of emergency and the prime minister ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government has since closed The Bahamas’ borders to visitors.

Last month, Atlantis President Audrey Oswell said the resort was targeting June 15 for its phased reopening.

However, in the email, which was dated May 29, 2020, Atlantis said, “As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty abounds. When we first closed the resort in March, we were hopeful that we would be able to reopen quickly.

“However, given the severity of the pandemic, we now know that was not possible. Although we are moving closer to reopening, unfortunately, we are not able to announce a definitive date at this time.”

The resort said there are “many global and national uncertainties that hinder us from providing you with return to full operations”.

It assured employees that it is making “every effort” to return to normalcy “as soon as possible”.

“We pray for a rapid recovery to our business and wish you safety and good health as we work together through these challenges,” Atlantis said.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has said the government is eyeing July 1 for the reopening of The Bahamas’ borders.

 

 

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Bahamian in Minneapolis fearful as city burns

Protesters attempt to extinguish car fires on East Lake Street, Friday, May 29, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. Protests continued following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. AP

While cars, buildings and dumpsters were set on fire in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last night as protestors demonstrated for a fourth consecutive night, Perry Forbes, a 27-year-old Bahamian living in the city for nearly decade, was safely tucked away at home with his family.

Residents protested and rioted following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed while being detained by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25.

Forbes said he lives about 10 miles from downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, and 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.

While he supports the cause of the demonstrations, Forbes said he refuses to join the protesters.

“I’ve seen the videos,” Forbes told The Nassau Guardian as the city burned.

“I know what the police presence is going to be like. We saw it on Wednesday night; the tear gas, the rubber bullets. For me, as a permanent resident, the current administration going on right now, I don’t want to get swept up in those kinds of things.

“It doesn’t take long for a permanent resident to lose his or her residency and be deported back to his or her home country.”

The protests in Minneapolis peaked on Thursday night when demonstrators bombarded a police precinct and lit it on fire.

The death of George Floyd has sparked protests in major cities across the United States, including Atlanta, New York and Houston.

Thousands of protests marched to the White House in Washington, D.C., yesterday, causing a lockdown of the building for about an hour.

Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Sidney Collie told The Guardianthat his office as well as the consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, are “monitoring the situation in Fulton County, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, where states of emergencies have been invoked”.

“The safety and welfare of Bahamians generally and Bahamian students, in particular, our top concerns,” he said this morning.

“To date, we have no reports of any Bahamians being impacted.”

On Thursday, Forbes was conducting inspections for Minneapolis Metro, a job he took up after the COVID-19 pandemic started.

His job site was about a 15-minute walk from where the protests were taking place.

“It was actually very close to the protest, maybe about a mile [away]. Helicopters flying overhead all day yesterday,” Forbes said.

“They were trying to keep track of everybody, I guess.”

He continued, “It was just a surreal moment. There were buses that were vandalized a block away from where I was working.

“Metro actually had to move all of their buses out of the city. Right now, it’s just a scary situation overall. Not in terms of fearing for my safety, but fearing for everybody’s life who is out there.”

Asked what was going through his mind, Forbes replied, “To be honest, I was just thinking about my personal safety and ensuring that nothing really happens on the site.

“Like I said, these are very trying times to keep a level head.”

He said his work has closed down his job site as a result of the protests.

During a press conference early this morning, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz warned that the situation remains “incredibly dangerous”.

He said he understood the “rage” but not the “wanton destruction”.

Major General Jon Jensen, the head of Minnesota’s National Guard, said he hoped 1,700 soldiers will be deployed by this evening to help bring widespread rioting in the city and elsewhere under control.

 

 

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MR. QUINCTIN ANTHONY SAUNDERS JR. | Funeral Service

A Private Funeral Service for MR. QUINCTIN ANTHONY SAUNDERS JR., age 21 years of #92 Livingston Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama will be held on Friday, May 29^th, 2020.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his loving mother: Tertanya Miller; stepfather: Leandros Miller; father: Quinctin Saunders Sr.; stepmother: Lendora Saunders; sisters: Quineisha, Letajh, Letanya, Quinnique, Quinnay and Achara; brothers: Quintano and Acharo; grandmothers: Mitzi Papageorge, Rosemae Saunders-Kelly and Robertha Miller; grandfather: Arlington Wilmott; aunts: Termecka “Timmy” Papageorge”, Derycka, Deneacka and Deneika Musgrove, Ashakie, Anthea, Darcel, Ashanti, Taquesha, Sonia, Antoinette Josephine Turner; uncle: Tervaruss, Ron, Terrell, Travis, Tamargo, Cordero, Lavardo, Arlington Jr. and Nakita Pinder; grandaunts: Althea Papageorge-Knowles, Glendamae Scott, Delerise Papageorge-Davis (Chad), Janice (Kevin) Johnson (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), Seveletha Brown, Caroline Bethel, Janet Burrows, Stacey Neymour, Lashell Rolle, Sandy Edwards, Emma Hield and Jeannie Saunders; granduncles: Tony Papageorge, Oswald Evans, Billy, Ricky, Rodney, Wilton and Wendall Saunders; great grandunt: Althea Tinker and Loretta McKenzie; great grandmother: Ms. Effie Walkes; cousins: Pedro Jr. “Big Boy”, Dymond, Ashdonte, Arriana, Tervarruss Jr., Terrique, Tervaunte, Lakay Stuart and Makayla Lightfoot, Akio, Montel, George, Geno, Ron, Jermaine Stubbs, Carlos, Romina, Delano, Raquel, Charise Tony, Antonio, Latanya, Alonzo “CJ” (Derricka), Alexis, Feron, Deidre Springer, Stephan, Vernishka, Verdant “VJ”, Kiiana, Beyounce Miller, Kaylisa Wallace, Erica Wright.  Kevin Jr. (Kia), Tashnequa, Thaao,  Aldridge, Ashleigh, Nicholaus, Alecia, Jermaine Jr., Lauren, Jertazzia, Gregg, Jertaya, Jermiah, Isaac, Dylan, Tayler, Tyler,  Amari, Malcolm, Carlos Jr., Deangelo, Rashad, Sren,  Dion, Dakota, Demitria, Daiquania, Ellicia, Johnathon Jr., Delanique, Devonnee, Devonique, Sheldia, Dario, Deangelo, DaNique, Dijanae, Preston  “FatMan” Johnson, Preston “Beef” Johnson, Dee Stubbs, Theresa, Sastrie (Tevin), Tevin Jr., Terano, Serano, Markinique, Mark Jr., Derrick, Kamahri, Kylin, Shaniko, Harmony, Tahirah, Javon, Zhivargo, Jarnal, Denise, Flossie, Thomasina, Patrice, Ester, Debbie, Keith and Kevin Tinker, Eddison, Bertham, Vernal, Kevin, Dwight (Kimberly), Floyd, Leona, Indianna, Demetrio, Terkissma,  Deneisha, Tyree, Inaiya, Jada, Tania, Jada and Deneisha; friends: Geovano Oliver, Earl Hield, Dante Ellis, Mateo, Eddie, Deangelo, Elijah, Keano, David, Brandon, Kontae, Bursanja “BQ”, Turtle, Trina, Red Red, Kashon, Duranique, Lovely, Dura, Kyle,  Yanna, Mia, Syntyche, Saradonyx, Perio, Jaden, Matthew, Demtrie, Dentry and Delvon Smith, “EJ” Strachan, Scotty, Roger and Trino and a host of other relatives: Denise Fox, Keshna, Justus, Angel, Vincent, Myncharhi, Drex, Ciara, Kimberly, Naisha, Muff, Helen Russell, Rudolph and Beulah Laing and family, Jane Bowleg and family, Renee Glinton and family, Rose Symonette and family, Saunders family (Freeport and Wood Cay Abaco), Patricia Smith and family, Randy Seymour,  Ida Reckley and family, Shevamae Morley and family, Jane Turnquest, Ruth Dean and family, Ms. Dee Lewis and family, Della McPhee, Prince Daniel and family, Derrick “Fly” Ferguson, Tina Powell, Lakaye Barber Shop & Beauty Salon, Shanada Cartwright and family, LaKeva Nesbitt, Trina Laing and family, Pharez Cooper, Lashandra Astwood and family, entire Gibson eamily, Joanna, Zachary, Alexio, Alexia, Obefemi, Dillian, Omar, Tamara, Ciara, Annalese, Jessica, Shazelle, Jestin, Angela, Angelo, Fayma Gibson and family, Felisha McBride and family, Frank and Rose Saunders and family,  Central Zion Baptist Church family, New Destiny Kingdom Center family, Invaders for Christ Global Ministries, New Beginning Life Ministries, Staff at Department of Social Services (Freeport), Staff at Department of Rehabilitative/Welfare Services (Freeport and New Providence), Mr. and Mrs. Newton Missick and The Better To Serve Restaurant Family, Adelson and family, The “Back of Town Community” and The St. James Road & Kemp Road Family. Special thanks to Doctors, Nursed and Supporting Staff at The Rand Memorial Hospital Trauma Unit and many other too numerous to mention.

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MR. ISHMAEL VALENTINO ROBERTS JR. | Funeral Service

A Private Funeral Service for MR. ISHMAEL VALENTINO ROBERTS JR., age 40 years of #2 off Cotton Ball Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama was held on Wednesday, May 27^th, 2020 at Grand Bahama Memorial Park #2, Frobisher Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama.

 He is predeceased by his sister, Lynetta Roberts.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his loving and devoted parents: Ishmael and Maedora Roberts; ex-wife: Michelle Roberts; daughters: Kaya Roberts, Kia Miller, Nataiya Roberts and Abagail Rolle; stepdaughter: Dennesha Rolle; son: Nathan Rolle; sisters: Sophia Dean, Sherrika, Tiesha and Aja Roberts; brother: Phillipa Roberts; aunts: Anita Symonette, Christine “Zula” Saunders, Enid Rolle, Melvina Munnings, Esthermae Clarke and Anamae Ferguson; uncles: Percival, Mancer, Graylon, Ross, Melvin Jr. and Christopher Roberts; nieces: Kadaiah, Kyantae’, Kaiasha and Kemea Strachan, Jayden Dean, Shenaja Russell, Giovanna Bullard, Stevanna Wray, Toni Roberts, Simone Grant, Antoniqua Bowleg, Shantae, Shaquelle and Daniqua Roberts; nephews: Joey and Justin Dean, Delvontae Roberts, Shaquille Hield and Stephano Wray and a host of other relatives and friends including: Carmetta Burn and family, Darren Ferguson, Shameka Miller, Audelle Rolle, April McGuire, Nancy William and family, Niera Pinder and family, Jane Solomon and family, Peral Moxey and family, April Garvey and family, Kate Lockhart and family, Isaiah Strachan and the Strachan family.

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MR. FREDERICK JAMES PYFROM | Funeral Service

A Private Funeral Service for MR. FREDERICK JAMES PYFROM, age 72 years of #1 Laceby Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama formerly of Fresh Creek, Andros was held on Tuesday, May 26^th, 2020.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his devoted and caring wife: Norma; daughter: Tamesha Pyfrom; sons: Frederick Jr. (Erin) and Michael Pyfrom (Caitlyn); grandchildren: Aiko Pyfrom, Ascha & Naphtali Munroe, Milony Buntin Pyfrom, Jaz and Kenny Lasker;  adopted children: Karl Albury and D. David Moncur; mother: Rowena Cleare; brothers: Ancil Davis (Elvira) (Nassau), Fr. Donald Kerr; Doral Pyfrom (Edna) and William Curtis (Exuma); sisters: Ernestine Jones, Helen Digmore, Evelyn Pyfrom; Daphne Johnson (Sanny); Stephanie Teele, Patricia Smith, Elois Stephen, Marsha Wilchcombe and Helen Rich; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Pyfrom, Anita Swainy, Marilyn Scott, Sherry Doctor and Rosemary Foulkes; god-sister: Dianna Swann; nephews: Patrick Pyfrom (Tanesha), Ron Jones, Robert Nabb (Tabitha), Gary and John Turner, Keno Davis (Shanese), Ancilleno (Nora) and Bovair Davis, Ashley Jones (Shannon), Renaldo Johnson, Doral Pyfrom Jr., Mark Pyfrom; Craig and Tyrone Pyfrom, Jiminison Davis; nieces: Christal Pyfrom-Cooper (Terrance); Dorothy King Rolley; Lathora Pyfrom, Charnissa Nesbitt (Angelo), Nicki Carter; Anzellera Davis; Cintra and Diandra Turner, Tracey, Jessica and Janet Pyfrom, Sherry Curtis, Adrienne Kerr and Ruth Knowles and a host of other relatives and friends including: Lockhart family, Mortimer family, Rt. Rev. Laish Boyd and family; Venerable Earl Hepburn and Fr. Dave D.Thomas and The Church of the Ascension Family, Rev. Fr. Norman Lightbourne, Gurney and Debbie Armstrong and family, Archipow family (Canada); Lasker family (Georgia); Glen and Cynthia Coakley and family, Dr. Rolando Corrall and family; Ashley Pinder and family; Garth and Karen Woodside and family, Hon. Brave Davis and family, Debbie Dean and family, Jaunita Dean and family, Clotilda Armaly and family, Vince and Denice Gibson and family, Sherry Stuart and family; James and Kim Smith and family, Kitty Smith and family, Patrick McDonald and family, Kathy Nixon and family, Laura Smith and family, Agatha Marcelle and family; Mrs. Veronica Collie and family; Ian Rolle and family, Christine Fields and family; Mr. Jack Bahl and family; Peter Basden and family;  Mr. Wilfred Horton and family, Merrill Dorsette and family; Lockhart Clan, Sybliene Adderley and family, Rahming family, Hon. Perry Christie and family; Mr. R. Whitney Bastian and family, Sanford and Mary Culmer and family, Pat Franks and family, R.H. Culmer and family; Arthur and Willansa Fountain and family, Emelike Fountain and family, Eugene (Jet) Cartwright and family, Emrick Seymour and family, Arthur Hamilton and family, Terrecita Kemp and family, Galen Godet and family, Raleigh and Antoinette Carroll and family, Charles and Stephanie Thompson and family, Edney Anderson and family, Davaughn (Curlie)  Burrows and family, Daniel Murray and family, Stephen McCartney and family, Brain Cooper and family, Leroy Bell and family, Hansel King and family, Sis. Ann Higgs and the Mighty Warriors Prayer Band, Office of the Judiciary family, The Royal Bahamas Police Force family; Mable Stubbs and family; Ramon Lightbourne and family, Simon Lewis and group family, Keith and Yvette McSweeney and family; Karl and Bev Martin and family; Karl Haye and family; Phil Carey and family; McKenzie family, Forrester Carroll and family, Wallace family; Tyrone Joffre and family, Yvonne Ward and family, Linda Kelly and family; Nelson Gaitor and family, Dr. Eric Brown, Dr. Ras Jah Roop, Richard Clarke and family, Sherrel Stevens and family, Shervin, Vincent and Emily Miller and family, Brian Hugh, Charlie Neymour, Frankie Neymour and family, Leroy Hanna and family,  Clyde Nixon and family, Hugh Solomon and family, Lorenzo Gibson and family, Jerome Scott and family, Kevin Campbell and family, Moore family,  Douglas Cleare, Derek Rolle, Joseph Duncombe and family, Curtis Brown, Nick and Shawn Leadon and family, Jacqeline Smith, Zian Rolle; Anglican family, Norman Gay and family; Deon Sweeting and family, Glen Johnson and family, Cecil Penn Sr. and Jr. and families, W.W. Edgecombe and family, Dwitt (Fire) Edgecombe and family, Telcina Thompson and family, James Martin and family, Dedre Martin and family, John Doherty and family, Ali Campbell and family, Shirley and Roger Nixon, Dorris Adderley and family, Berthram and Rosena Thompson and family, Betty McKenzie and family, Thompsons families (Fresh Creek, Andros), Gloria Forbes and family, Gay Family (Fresh Creek, Andros); Crab Fest Committee (Central Andros), Hunters Association, PLP Family, Nurse Anna Thompson and family; Dr. Monique Pratt; Dr. Knowles; Dr. Kizzy Coakley; Tracy Rolle and family;  Rex Rolle and family, Central and South Andros Committees, Lucille Hanna and family, Norris Carroll and family; Mag. Rengin Johnson and family, Mag. Charlton Smith and family, Dwayne Fernander and family; Bill Adderley and family, Ken McNeil and family; Freeport Transfer family, Jeff Bullard and family; Esther Russell and family; BTVI family; Genevive Hanna and family; BIBT family; Audley Hanna and family, Former M.P. Picewell Forbes and family, Peter Douglas; Alex and Margo Birch-Blackwell and family, Jeff Birch and family, Brian Sands and family; Bradley and  Everlyn Braynen and family, Harold Braynen and family, Rev. John Henry Hinsey family, Thomas Hinzey and family, Pastor Dorinda Dean and family, Robinson family, Donna Stubbs and family, Dino Moxey and family, Pastor Paul Roberts and family, Pastor Arnold Nesbitt and family, Ancil Oliver and family, Fred Bowleg and family, Macullan and Donna Stubbs and family, Herculean Thompson and family, Brian Hugh and family, Wayne Cleare and family, Henry Bain and family, Sonny Martin and family, Rodney Hanna and family, Rev. Leroy Hanna and family, Wenzel Hanna and family, Mr. Hark Thompson, Andy Smith and family, Alexander (Tattoo) McKenzie, Adrian Diagullier, Rosie Thompson and family; Nurse Deidra Ricketts and family, Harvey Tynes and family, Churchill Tener Knowles and family and Swingers family. Special thanks to the Kidney Centre family, entire Doctors and Nurses at the Rand Memorial Hospital, Doctors and Nurses at Pearce Clinic; H.M. Customs Family, The Pigeon Shooting Committee Family, Tomeko Thompson & Family and many, many, more too numerous to mention.

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MR. CARLOS ALEXANDER COLEBROOKE-GIBSON | Funeral Service

A Private Interment Service for MR. CARLOS ALEXANDER COLEBROOKE-GIBSON, age 53 years of #29 Independence Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of Nassau, New Providence was held on Wednesday, May 27^h, 2020.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his wife: Greta Frazier-Gibson; children: Carrington Gibson, Britishe Cooper (Franando), Aliczia Bain (Timothy), Carltina, Carliana, Carlos (Roy) and Theo “Junior” Colebrooke; grandchildren: Azariah Farrinton, Xi Bain, Carlicia and Carlos Colebrooke, Theo, Anthonique and Sayin Armbrister and Tajhae Frazier; sisters: Georgina Bowe (Egan) and Elizabeth Storr, brothers: Benjamin (Anita) and David McPhee, Michael (Renee), Reuben (Monique), Salvanas (Patricia), Christopher (Kaylisa), Kevin (Claudette), David, Carlton, George and Dexter Storr; in-laws: Carol Pinder (Jeffrey), Vandora (Collins) and Philip (Ethlyn) Johnson, Maxine Gibson (Spencer), Peter T. Carey (Ann) and Robert Frazier; aunts and uncles: Lelia Rolle, Bridgette and Jeanine McQueen; numerous nieces and nephews including: Vashti, Jovan, Bianca, Christian and George Johnson, Jaidie and Ria Pinder, Peter Jr. and Ajanie Carey, Dwainelle and Dwainard Guillaume, Ramard McQueen, McKello Cooper, Robert Jr. and Lexton Frazier, Abagail and Gabrielle Bowe, Beneka, Alexander, John Jr., Johnica and Javon McPhee, George Storr Jr., Trent Bingham, Isreal Higgs, Christian Neymour and Jaquille Black and a host of other relatives and friends including: Isadora Bastian, Lilymae McDonald, Nicole McKenzie, Monique Grant-McPhee and family, Mark Demeritte (Manette), Richard and Jerry Kelly, Audrey Woodside and family, Theresa Mitchell and family, Sophia Edgecombe, Patrice Duncombe, Dr. Hegdee and Nurses Symonette, Knowles, and Saunders, Father David Cooper, Pastor Ken Strachan, Wilmont ‘Big Will’ Russell, Clementina Nixon, Superintendent Theresita Pinder, Caroline Forbes and family, Audrey Cambridge-Russell and family, Angela Rolle-Sands and family, Neil aka Mr. Crabs, Clayton Miller, Mr. Sidney and Linda Storr and family, Mrs. Lucille Storr, Gloria and Freeman Deveaux and family, Danielle Lowe, Michael, Wendell, Richard and Larry Rolle, Linda, Lanair and Bridgette, Spider, Legend, Reagan, Hubert Cooper, Block, Cora’s Crew, Tyler’s Crew and others too numerous to mention.

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MATRIARCH BERYL MARIA MARSHALL-MILLER

A Private Funeral Service for MATRIARCH BERYL MARIA MARSHALL-MILLER, age 83 years of #12B Plantol Street, Nassau, New Providence will be held on Friday, May 29^th, 2020.

She was predeceased by her son, Lynden Miller, her siblings, Buster, Alvah, Frederick and Iva Marshall, Beverley Marshall-Woodside and Brenda Marshall-Ferguson and nephew, Michael Marshall-Coakley.

Precious memories will linger in the heart of her children: Debbie Marshall, Steven (Dedrie), Gaynor Miller-Rolle, Clytis and Shelly Miller; adopted sons:  Alexander Boyd and Dallas ”Sarge” Wilson; grandchildren: Mischica Miller, Shawn and Sereno Marshall, Kenique Marshall-Hessel, Anthoniqua and La-Naasha Davis, Clytrece and Tyrah Miller, Katja Ferguson, Ashleigh Rolle, Stephen, Jr., Leo, Travis, Gabrielle and James Miller and Kyle Hanna; great grandchildren:  Arica, Iesha, AJ, Amy-Guyana, Antonica, Elija and Camari Guerrier, Wynter Miller and Amari Brice; siblings:  Oswald “Ubbie” Marshall; nieces and nephews: Jennifer Marshall-Mackey; Oswald Jr., Kelia, Karen, Abigail (Lee, Sr.) Marshall-Robinson and Tony Marshall, Lisa Wholleb (Prague), Chez Republic, Vasco Marshall, Eric and Brian Ferguson, Natasha, Trevor and Tino Woodside, Fritzroy, Shari, Louise Marshall  and Nathalie Marshall-Duncombe, Shekitha Dean and Beverley Thomson; grandnieces and nephews: Koschina Marshall, Shere (Leif) Farquharson, Darren Lloyd, Precious (William) Russell,  Leighar (Angelo) Darville-Knowles, Lindera and Treva Woodside, Dinari and Dauod Lloyd, Lee Jr. and Allison Robinson and Brendan Winder;  great grandnieces and nephews:  Lance, Ethan and Seth Farquharson; cousins: Heather Humes and Wendy Lee (Vero Beach, Fla.),  James (Vangy) Lewis, Evangelist  Gloria Dawkins, Shirley Lewis-Rolle, Marilyn Darville, Rev. Charles Lewis, Rev Ruby-Ann Darling, Rev. Reuben Cooper, Fanny Pletka,  Primrose Chase,  John Cooper, Nathaniel Cooper, Bertha Rousseau, Carmella Collonneaux,  Pauline Winder, Cleomi Saunders, Merle Jones, Dorothy Cooper, Deborah Cooper-Burrows; Lionel and Lester Strachan; Ms. Agatha Beckles-Delancy and family; Annette Rolle, Deidre Rolle-Pinder, Mark, Gloria and Doris Rolle and Paula Theophilus; Special Friends: Judy Hamilton; Patricia Thompson; Mrs. Olga “Auntie O” Deveaux; Ms. Louise Deveaux and family (Freeport, Grand Bahama), Maxine Lord,  Ms. Bastian, Steve and Annette Johnsone Mr. Rollen Goffe; Patricia Whitfield, Sandria Miller,  Dr. Earl Cash; Andrew Conliff and Bay Street Breakfast Club, Stephanie Poitier; Judith Davis-Hamilton; Roslyn Mortimer-Rolle; Marva Russel-Minns, Stephanie Bannister,  Ella Lewis and family, Dion Lightfoot and family,  Plantol Street Family; Veronica Moxey and family;  entire Staff at Centreville and Englerston Urban Renewal Agencies, Lodge Sisters, Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union Mother’s Club and a host of other relatives and friends including: Grand Bahama Supporters of Care-takers, Gaynor and Ashleigh Rolle:  Rev. Dr. Robert and Lady Rochelle Lockhart and family and the entire Calvary Temple Assemblies of God Church family, Convoy of Hope, Elder Eudane Thompson, Kathlene Feaster, Fr. O.J. of Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, District Superintendents and entire Staff at Grand Bahama District Education Office, Grand Bahama Health Services Community Geriatric Team, Dr. Malaban and Nurses, and other Community Nurses; Dr. and Mrs. Nolan Beneby; Henrietta Carey, RN; Dr. Pamela Etuk; Joan and Harry Darville, Mrs. Sophia Edgecombe and family; Ms. Beryl Ferguson and family; Miss Natasha Stuart and family; Mrs. Hazel Rigby and family; Mrs. Telcene Roker and family; Tanicia Pratt and family; Anne-Marie Carroll, Allannah Vellacott, Shekirah Rolle; Amber Cartwright; Chelsea Blues; Tomii Culmer;  Betsy Leimbigler of Berlin, Germany; Nathalie and Joanna Willis and family; The 10th Year Seniors Family; Renee Moss and Staff at Restview Memorial Mortuary and a host of other  relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

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Restrictions relaxed

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis delivers his contribution in the House of Assembly. FILE

A weekday 24-hour curfew, which has been in place since March, will be lifted on Tuesday and will be replaced with a reduced curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all islands of The Bahamas, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Declaring that The Bahamas is flattening the COVID-19 curve but the government must be cautious in how it reopens the economy, Minnis also announced that weekend lockdowns will continue for all islands from Fridays at 9 p.m. to Mondays at 5 a.m.

During these lockdowns, exercise will be permitted from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in one’s immediate neighborhood, instead of just during the early morning hours.

Exercise not restricted to one’s neighborhood may take place generally outside of curfew hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Mondays to Fridays.

The prime minister also announced that weekend lockdown rules will apply to the upcoming Whit Monday and Labour Day holidays (next Monday and Friday).

However, on the holidays, grocery stores will be allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and food takeaways, drive-throughs and restaurants offering curbside and delivery will also be permitted to open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

While Arawak Cay, a popular restaurant and hangout spot on New Providence, remains closed, Minnis said the government is looking into protocols for the reopening of the area.

During the emergency period, some Bahamians have been upset that beaches across the country have been closed. Some will have to wait longer for them to be reopened.

Effective Tuesday, public beaches and parks will be open on all islands, except for Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, New Providence, Paradise Island and San Salvador.

Worship services will be allowed to take place in the sanctuary of churches on Saturdays and Sundays, between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini, according to health protocols, effective Saturday, June 6.

The closure of churches to full services has also been a hot issue during the emergency period, with some pastors declaring the prime minister has no authority to tell the church what to do.

After Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, an independent, noted in the House of Assembly that the restricted time will still be an issue for religious leaders, the prime minister indicated that he would be prepared to take another look at the time period being allowed for church services.

Minnis also announced that as of Tuesday, graduation ceremonies, funerals and weddings will be permitted to take place with up to 30 people attending.

He said all islands of The Bahamas, except for New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini, will be liberalized for commercial activity, effective Tuesday.

All non-essential storefront businesses on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini, such as furniture stores, clothing, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and other retail stores, will be allowed to resume business from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. effective Tuesday.

“I wish to be clear. Restaurants, except for curbside and deliveries, bars, gyms, hair salons and barbershops, movie theatres, cultural facilities and entertainment facilities remain closed on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini,” Minnis said.

“I assure restaurant operators, hair salons and barbershops that we are working with the National COVID-19 Coordination Committee and industry partners to finalize protocols for operations.”

The prime minister’s previous decision to prevent gaming houses from resuming operations has also been controversial.

Yesterday, Minnis announced that effective Tuesday, gaming houses will be allowed to open with social distancing and sanitization protocols.

Law firms, justices of the peace and real estate agencies may now extend their operating hours to 5 p.m.

Additionally, financial services, inclusive of accounting services, may operate between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Auto parts stores, including mechanical work servicemen, may operate on all islands from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The prime minister noted that the country is moving into the third phase of a five-phase plan to fully reopen the economy.

Unregulated vendors

Minnis commended Bahamians for the progress the country has made in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“Because so many of us have worked with a spirit of solidarity, we have made tremendous progress,” he said.

“But there is still a long road ahead in this pandemic, including our economic recovery and the social needs of many of our citizens.”

The prime minister noted that moving forward, some things will have to change to prevent the potential for the resurgence of COVID-19 and the spread of other illnesses.

In particular, he said, unregulated street vendors will not be tolerated.

“Designated places have been identified by the members for Marco City and St. Barnabas (Michael Pintard and Shanendon Cartwright) and all vendors will be placed in designated spots,” he said.

“They will be required to have proper certification and if necessary, they will be required to have proper food handlers certificates.

“So, Mr. Speaker, this sprawling of vendors that we see today throughout New Providence will no longer be seen nor tolerated.

“There will be designated spots, so they can be monitored properly in a proper hygienic environment, so as to decrease the possibility of a resurgence of COVID or other illnesses.”

There have been 101 confirmed COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas. Minnis confirmed the latest case yesterday.

Eleven people have died.

The prime minister said while the emergency period is being extended to June 29, he may relax more restrictions before then.

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Minnis: Widespread testing not as necessary in The Bahamas

Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr. Hubert Minnis claimed yesterday that widespread testing for COVID-19 is not as necessary in The Bahamas as it is in larger countries.

Minnis said contact tracing is “more than adequate”.

“In the Caribbean, we have one of the best public health systems in this part of the world, inclusive of contact tracing,” he said in the House of Assembly.

“As a matter of fact, you mentioned about us not doing sufficient testing, we have been following the WHO (World Health Organization) protocols, which is inclusive of contact tracing because we have such a strong department – public health.

“The United States and other first world countries like India, the UK, because they are so large, it’s very difficult to do contact tracing, because you can imagine 100,000 individuals on a train and one individual exposed that 100,000. Can you imagine trying to do contact tracing there?

“So, it’s very appropriate in their environment where mass testing is most appropriate.

“In our environment, yes I agree with testing, but contact tracing, when you have very adequate, efficient systems and you follow WHO protocols, that is more than adequate.”

There were 101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas up to yesterday. The latest case, which Minnis announced in the House of Assembly yesterday, came after five days of no new confirmed cases.

Eleven people have died of COVID-19 in the country. As of Thursday, 47 people had recovered, four were hospitalized and 2,050 tests had been completed.

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Symonette: Govt must bring Bahamians home ‘as quickly as possible’

Brent Symonette.

St. Anne’s MP Brent Symonette said yesterday that the government needs to send daily Bahamasair flights to repatriate Bahamians stuck in South Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hundreds of Bahamian citizens and residents remain trapped overseas after the government closed the border in late-March.

While speaking in the House of Assembly, Symonette said, “We need now to focus on the repatriation flights and people coming in and out because there is a tension building up there where persons want to get back.”

He continued, “We should be flying a Bahamasair flight every day to Miami to pick up Bahamians to bring them back because we need them home and also to be able to take Bahamians to their Family Islands.

“We need to be able to get them back as quickly as possible. I’m sure the prime minister will make sure that that is opened up.”

Symonette added, “The COVID-19 hotline or email or Gmail or WhatsApp or whatever and the Office of the Prime Minister — people are not getting a response in a timely manner. I got people calling me four and six days and they still ain’t hear back. So, we need to improve that, Mr. Prime Minister.”

In response, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said that Symonette had “valid points”.

“We recognize that there are challenges with the domestic route and we’re in discussion with Bahamasair and other airlines so we can come up with a protocol so you can at least open the domestic airlines,” Minnis said.

During his communication, Minnis noted that a proposed repatriation flight of Bahamians and residents from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas that was set for today, was postponed.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised yesterday that the flight had to be postponed due to administrative reasons,” he said.

“A new travel date will be announced soon.

“I recognize that this a great inconvenience for those who were booked to return home.

“The health team responsible for this process has confirmed that valid COVID-19 test results obtained for Friday’s flight will be honored for the next available flight.”

Open the beaches

Symonette noted yesterday that he “was going to stand up this morning and maybe give the member for Killarney a hard time”.

However, instead, Symonette applauded Minnis, who serves as MP for that constituency, for relaxing some restrictions implemented as a result of the pandemic.

He then called for the reopening of all beaches across The Bahamas.

“I’m a simple fella,” Symonette said.

“I put it in simple ways I can understand. So, the entire Bahamas, come Tuesday, is open, open for everything. The only thing they can’t do is go to the beach…

“I grew up in Eleuthera [and] we got a hundred miles of beaches. You go to a beach every day, you wouldn’t see anyone. So I can’t go for that, but that’s a different issue.

“Open the beaches [and] let the people do.”  

He also called on the government to improve the ease of doing business in The Bahamas.

“In the years I have been in government, looking into it has never been fast enough,” Symonette said. 

“And we have been looking into the digitization and computerization of the government since I was there in the first Ingraham administration and in some cases, we have not reached yet.

“So, we have to speed that up and part of it is just not talking about. Part of it is actually delivering.”

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Elderly woman sexually assaulted in her home

Police said a man entered a home somewhere in the eastern district of New Providence on Wednesday night and sexually assaulted an elderly woman.

Police said the incident happened around 11 p.m.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact police.

This is the second sexual assault to occur this week.

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Davis questions why Arawak Cay remains closed

Philip Brave Davis.

As he signaled that the opposition did not support an extension of the state of emergency that was put in place in mid-March to combat the spread of COVID-19, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday questioned why restaurants at Arawak Cay are not permitted to reopen for takeout.

A resolution extending the state of emergency until June 29 was passed in the House of Assembly and later in the Senate.

“From the start, our people have been worried that there is one set of rules for FNM (Free National Movement) insiders and another set of rules for everyone else,” Davis said in the House of Assembly.

“Some businesses were allowed to open; other similar ones were not. For example, I didn’t hear anything about Arawak Cay.

“…Before this, I use to order and send for my food from restaurants I wished to eat from at Arawak Cay. They may wish to do that but they can’t.

“Other restaurants are doing that.”

Later addressing the issue, Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard said Potter’s Cay and Arawak Cay will be “up and running” within 14 days.

“We don’t anticipate any obstacles to that,” he said.

Davis also questioned whether the government had a national strategy to combat COVID-19 in The Bahamas.

Referring to restrictions that were imposed in late-March, Davis said, “In the first place, these lockdowns and curfews were drastic measures, depriving people of their liberty and their ability to earn a living.

“Now, they were justified only because the government needed time to create a coherent national strategy to manage the threat of COVID-19. Here we are, months later, and where is that national strategy? In fact, we are 70 days later, 72 days to be exact.

“For 72 days, Mr. Speaker, we have, Bahamians across the archipelago, have complied with emergency orders at enormous cost. The government should have used that time — time given to them by the people — to put in place all the elements we need in order to reopen safely at the earliest possible moment.”

He also called on the government to introduce widespread testing, to implement a “robust” contact tracing system and to increase the capacity to isolate new cases that emerge across The Bahamas.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert said yesterday the government does not plan on introducing widespread testing during the pandemic.

There have been 101 cases of the virus in The Bahamas.

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Miller commends govt for its response to COVID-19

Golden Isles Member of Parliament Vaughn Miller.

Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller yesterday commended the Minnis administration for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the government for the overall handling of this pandemic,” he said in the House of Assembly.

“It has been challenging sometimes, but I’ve committed myself to giving the government the full support in this effort and have done so.”

Miller, a previous Free National Movement (FNM) member, has been critical of the Minnis administration in the past.

He was fired as parliamentary secretary in 2018 after voting against the government’s decision to raise value-added tax from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.

Last December, he became the second MP to leave the FNM party and become an independent MP.

“I wish to again commend the government for the excellent job and the way they handled this pandemic,” he said during debate on a resolution to extend the state of emergency and Emergency Orders (COVID-19), 2020 until the end of June.

“I have some issues with the extension, but with regards, when it comes to the health of other persons, I always prefer to err on the side of caution.

“And so I support the extension, with that spirit. I’m prepared to err on the side of caution. And so, again, let’s fight this fight together.”

Miller specified that one of his “issues” related to beaches, which he urged Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis to reopen as he believes they are “therapeutic”.

Miller also took a moment to acknowledge the efforts of former Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands, adding: “I should especially like to thank the former minister of health, the member for Elizabeth, for the sterling job he did while leading the ministry and providing excellent leadership during this pandemic.

“I’ve said it publicly and I wish to state it again: he was in his element and he was like a fish in water. So I just wanted to commend him publicly.”

Sands resigned from his post as minister of health earlier this month over a controversial decision to allow six permanent residents to disembark on New Providence and quarantine at home while the borders remained closed to Bahamians.

Minnis, also a former minister of health, has since assumed the Health portfolio.

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Report: Bahamas needs durable solutions for those displaced by Dorian

Devastation on Abaco caused by Hurricane Dorian.

An Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) report released yesterday criticized the Bahamas government for what it termed a lack of “durable solutions” for those displaced by Hurricane Dorian.

In its report, titled “Displacement in Paradise: Hurricane Dorian Slams The Bahamas”, the IDMC highlighted the uncertainty faced by Dorian evacuees who may be preparing to return home.

“Following previous hurricanes, the Bahamian government took significant steps to ensure that communities were rebuilt to higher standards of disaster preparedness,” the report read.

“The scale of destruction to both private and public infrastructure in Abaco and Grand Bahama following Hurricane Dorian, however, has led to a greater focus on displacement and repatriation than on durable solutions and adaptation.

“The IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) framework on durable solutions for internally displaced persons sets eight benchmarks for durable solutions, mainly: safety and security; adequate standard of living; access to livelihoods; restoration of housing, land and property; access to documentation; family reunification; participation in public affairs; and access to effective remedies and justice.

“The government has focused on displacement and repatriation, but the achievement of durable solutions remains fragmented.

“Survivors with networks and economic means have quickly integrated into host communities in New Providence and other home islands such that they no longer need public assistance. Durable solutions on a broad scale, however, remain elusive.

“The lack of adequate housing and cases of lost documentation remain barriers to applying for jobs. Participation in decision-making and policy debates by displaced people, especially those from the LGBTQA+ and Haitian communities, is lacking and continues to be driven by the central government in Nassau.

“As the return of evacuees to Abaco and Grand Bahama increases, uncertainty exists for those who do not own land and for residents of informal settlements where land has been repurposed.”

The report states that “an estimated 9,840 people were displaced, at least 70 people died and losses and damages reached an estimated $2.5 billion”.

More than eight months after the monster Category 5 hurricane wreaked havoc on Grand Bahama and Abaco, however, hundreds remain displaced within the country or overseas.

Although the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March has resulted in the country’s borders being closed, many storm evacuees are seeking to return home.

The government started allowing Bahamian citizens and residents to return home, granted they provide proof of testing negative for COVID-19 and in some instances be quarantined at a government-designated facility.

But the IASC singled out the struggle that some members of the Haitian community on Abaco may face in attempting to return, noting that shantytowns some migrants once called home have now been cleared down and “re-appropriated”.

Its report referred to Dorian as “a catalyst for pre-existing internal tensions” between the Haitian community and the government, claiming that fear of deportation has led some migrants who survived Dorian to go into hiding.

“Meteorological statistics for Hurricane Dorian are precise, but mortality rates and the true impact of displacement may be underestimated because of a nine-year lapse since the last census,” the report read.

“There are also barriers to quantifying such impacts in informal settlements and among undocumented foreigners severely affected on Abaco.”

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More curfew violators charged

A man who broke the curfew to borrow canned gas from a friend was yesterday granted an absolute discharge.

Police arrested Elroy Symonette, 27, moments after he walked outside his yard at 9:56 p.m. on May 25.

Symonette was charged with breaking the curfew and failing to wear a mask while outside.

Symonette was unrepresented at his arraignment before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. He told the court that he needed to cook and was unable to go out earlier because of bad weather.

Symonette said he had a mask but just didn’t have it on. Vogt-Evans advised him to follow the rules.

Symonette said the rules were for everyone, including herself.

Fritizgerald Benoit admitted to breaking the weekend lockdown.

Officers arrested the 39-year-old at 8:35pm on May 24. Benoit said that he was walking home after checking on his grandmother, who lived alone.

He claimed that he had dropped off provisions to her. Vogt-Evans told Benoit that he had ample time to prepare for the lockdown and fined him $500 or five months in prison.

Benoit was supposed to be arraigned on Wednesday but failed to show up.

The court charged him $100 to cancel the arrest warrant.

Benoit paid the fines.

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Rotary Bahamas donates $100,000 to assist Abaco and GB children displaced by Dorian

The Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief Committee has donated $100,000 to support the Ranfurly Homes for Children’s extended care for Abaco and Grand Bahama children who were displaced by Hurricane Dorian. The addition of the children to Ranfurly doubled the number of children in the residence. Rotary’s support follows recognition of the increasing financial burden Ranfurly faces due to the children’s extended stay resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic – a financial burden exacerbated by a shortfall in subsidies to fund the mounting related costs. The outpouring of support for Ranfurly since the September 2019 storm has been impressive – a response for which there is immeasurable gratitude.

The pandemic, another disaster, unfortunately presents increased challenges in providing care for the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. A Ranfurly spokesperson stated, “On behalf of the board, staff and children, we are so grateful for [Rotary’s] donation. This is our second major crisis in eight months. Our challenges from Hurricane Dorian continue. With so many children, our bills are mounting and giving is down with so many people affected by COVID-19. Our deepest gratitude to the Rotary Clubs of the Bahamas.”

“Rotary’s continued support of the Ranfurly Homes for Children addresses three areas of Rotary International’s focus – education and literacy, community development and disaster response. Now, even more than ever, Ranfurly needs support to meet the increased care demand,” said Bryan C. S. Knowles, chair of the Rotary Bahamas Disaster Relief Committee.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities.

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Two brought before court for disorderly conduct

A woman accused of creating a disturbance at Social Services on May 21 was yesterday granted an absolute discharge.

Police arrested Kelvinique Hart after she got rowdy at the office on Robinson Road, the court heard.

Hart admitted behaving in a disorderly manner when she appeared in court.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans advised Hart to be more patient.

Police arrested another woman for disorderly conduct at a shop on East Street South on May 21.

Injell Porter admitted getting into an argument with an officer, who told her to leave the area.

Porter acknowledged saying, “with ya black self” within earshot of the officer.

Vogt-Evans told Porter that she should respect law enforcement.

Porter was fined $25 or two days in prison.

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Swimmers will not get their ‘last dance’ opportunity

Devante Carey.

With the CARIFTA Swimming Championships officially canceled, those swimmers at the top of the 15-17 age category will now be aged out when the competition gets underway next year.

Those athletes that would not get their “last dance” are Mark-Anthony Thompson, Ian Pinder, Kaliyah Albury, DaVante Carey and Anya MacPhail.

For MacPhail, this was going to be her sixth straight appearance at CARIFTA. Barbados is special to her because it is the country where her CARIFTA journey started, in 2015. She was one the team’s captains last year.

“Swimming for The Bahamas was truly an honor,” MacPhail said. “The support that came from not only family, fellow athletes and coaches, but from The Bahamas on a whole fueled our desire to win. I loved being able to wear the colors of the Bahamian flag when competing internationally. When representing my country I gave it my all when competing.”

She swims distance events, and last year, swam freestyle, butterfly and individual medley (IM) races.

MacPhail said she was disappointed that CARIFTA was canceled but understands why it was done.

“Initially I was disappointed, but I understand that this decision was made for the greater good of the athletes and the countries that participate. I am

blessed to have so many CARIFTA games to look back on and I wish nothing but the best for Team Bahamas in the years to come,” MacPhail said.

Thompson, who swims the longer freestyle races, was able to secure a bronze medal in the 15-17 boys 1,500 meters (m) freestyle race last year. His older brother, Luke-Kennedy Thompson, won gold in that race. They were the first two medals that Team Bahamas won last year. Last year was Mark-Anthony’s second time on the traditional swim team and third on the open water team.

“I was very prepared for CARIFTA. I’ll always remember what my previous coach, Jorge Rodriguez, said to me about 10 percent of Olympic athletes being mentally and physically prepared, so I focused, worked hard and all I could say is I was ready to go out with a bang,” Thompson said.

The towering swimmer said that CARIFTA has given him a taste of international competition and he’s looking forward for what’s to come in the future.

“CARIFTA has helped me to get a small taste of what competition from a different country would be. This is only the tip of the iceberg with what’s to come. Now I’m ready to continue to the next phase in my swimming career,” he said.

This was Carey’s sixth straight year making the team. He has made a name for himself at the collegiate level in swimming, qualifying for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II (DII) Swimming Championships in his freshman year at McKendree University this past season.

“I honestly wasn’t shocked [at the cancelation],” Carey said. “We are in a time that most people in their lifetime haven’t experienced, given the health concerns that would arise if the meet was to be held. Also, most swimmers if not all, were in a period where we weren’t allow to train, leaving us out of shape. From the amount of years and personal experience I have gained in swimming, it would’ve taken at least three months for me, personally, to get back to the level I was at before the shutdown.”

Carey, who swims backstroke and butterfly events, and dabbles in freestyle events, was hoping to go to Barbados, lower his personal best times, secure Bahamian and CARIFTA records, and just enjoy the moment.

This was going to be Albury’s third year on Team Bahamas. She was on the traditional pool team last year, swimming distance freestyle races, and was set to make an appearance on the open water team this year.

“I was very confident that I would have brought back a medal for a few reasons – one, I was familiar with the course; two, I was training extremely hard; and three, it was my last year and I was preparing to go out with a bang,” Albury said.

Last year, she helped her team win a bronze medal in the 4x200m free relay.

“It has been a joy to represent The Bahamas,” Albury said. “Wearing the aquamarine, black and gold is invigorating, a very proud moment. Every time I hit the water, I would give it my all because of the level of Bahamian pride that I have.”

One of the things that most of the swimmers will miss is the team spirit that is present and watching the races.

“I’m going to miss the excitement of being surrounded by the other competitors and watching the other races, especially when it gets intense during relays,” said Thompson.

It’s a very fierce rivalry between swimming clubs especially when it comes to the Bahamas Aquatics Federation (BAF) National Swimming Championships, but Albury said in the end, the club rivals become friends.

“I enjoyed the camaraderie that being on a CARIFTA team brought. I am friends with swimmers from the different swim clubs. I will miss the bonding experience with them. It’s an experience that only team members have,” Albury said.

MacPhail will miss the support she received from her teammates and coaches when she stood behind the starting blocks.

“I’ll definitely miss the family atmosphere these teams created. It was comforting to know that when I stood behind the blocks that I was supported by my teammates and coaches. Every year I was on a team I made lifelong friends and I have countless memories that I will cherish forever,” MacPhail said.

Carey said CARIFTA will be missed seeing that it is the first competition where young Caribbean athletes gets that national team experience which motivates the young athletes. He said the meet has done a lot for his career, including playing a major role in him going to college. Carey noted that college coaches pay a lot of attention to CARIFTA, scouting swimmers from the Caribbean.

Pinder carted off two individual gold medals in the 100 and 200m fly races last year. He also won gold in the 15-17 boys 4x100m medley relay.

All of the swimmers enter the senior level after the end of the year. They are looking forward to getting back into competition shape while staying safe as The Bahamas, the region and indeed the world continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Govt looking at overflight fees, aragonite contracts for revenue

Peter Turnquest.

The government is looking to overflight fees and dormant aragonite mining contracts, among other options, for unexpected revenue in its 2020/2021 national budget moving forward, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said yesterday, adding that the government will not divest itself of its stakes in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Aliv just yet.

Turnquest, who made the remarks during the question and answer session of the Ministry of Finance’s budget communication press conference, said the government is looking at three areas to raise new revenue and unbudgeted revenue, including mining, overflight fees and cruising and fishing permits, amidst an expected $900 million revenue shortfall.

Turnquest said the country could have the long-awaited overflight fee structure in place by the beginning of 2021.

“We’re optimistic that we will see some revenue from overflight fees that we have been talking about for a couple of years. We have some indication that by January 2021 we will start to see that whole process finalized and we will start to receive some revenue from overflight fess,” said Turnquest.

“The other area that is interesting is the number of active licenses for mining in the country. There are no active aragonite mining licenses in the country at the moment. The Ministry of the Environment is going to start renewed talks in respect to taking advantage of this asset and we’ll see. Hopefully we can come to some agreements with the exiting licenses, as well as look at new licenses, so that we could take advantage of that natural resource also.”

Turnquest added that the government is launching an online portal for the registration of charter, yacht and cruising permits.

He added that those fees, as well as fishing licenses and the purchase of vanity license plates from the Road Traffic Department, will provide unexpected and unbudgeted revenue.

“The Road Traffic Department is launching a vanity plate initiative, which won’t give us a tremendous amount of revenue, but we expect to have a decent return from that,” said Turnquest.

He stressed that the government is not going to sell its shares in BTC or Aliv during this current economic period, given the state of the market.

“The current market, with the economy being the way it is at the moment, we would not be motivated to try and release our share holdings in any of these entities at the moment,” Turnquest said.

“We just don’t believe we will get the kind of return that we can get once the economy starts to make a recovery. At the moment, we continue to hold our positions and continue to support these entities as best we can, to ensure they remain viable and in fact prosper as the market recovers.”

The government expects revenue falloff from most of its primary earners in the 2020/2021 budget year, though it will seek to put in place revenue enhancement measures and improve compliance and enforcement.

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Chamber now looking toward having businesses reopen on weekends

Jeffrey Beckles.

Now that many businesses are allowed to reopen throughout the week, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Beckles said the next level of advocacy for the business community will be around resuming weekend operations.

For weeks the Chamber has liaised with the government and the private sector to strike a workable balance ensuring safety for Bahamian consumers from the novel coronavirus and continued stimulation of the local economy.

“The achievement of the efforts of the Chamber speaks to the fact that we been able to now get that sector open to now five days a week, for about 10 to 12 hours a day and that is a giant step. That has enabled more companies to bring more people back to work on a full-time basis and remove them from the social support network, which is great because we’re lessening the burden on NIB (National Insurance Board), for instance. But it also speaks to the fact that we are going to continue our advocacy,” Beckles told Guardian Business yesterday.

“Obviously, the weekends are still an issue, but five days a week is fantastic because you basically are there for five of six of the operating days of the week, except Saturday. So we see that as a positive. We continue to dialogue with various sectors…to understand how the adjustments are going and what adjustments still need to be made. All of this is against the backdrop of getting the economy open again, getting it open safely, to where there is a careful balance between health and the economy. So we continue to engage even though those permissions have been given to reopen with some guidelines.”

During his 2020/2021 budget communication in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest announced several key initiatives to support businesses during the next fiscal year.

They include an allocation of $55 million for the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), a $30 million expansion of the Business Continuity Loan Program for businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and an expansion of the tax deferral program up to $120 million.

Beckles said at this point it’s difficult for the Chamber to determine what the initial or medium-term outcome of those initiatives will be.

“What we have to do is work the details of what has been offered thus far and that’s where we have to get with our stakeholders in the private sector, and really examine the offerings in this budget and flesh through the numbers, as well as the practicality of what has been offered. And then there’s the determination of how effective it is. From that point we feel confident we can go back to the government and say, ‘Hey look, it’s a great gesture, we’ve fleshed it through and talked it over with our stakeholders and here is what we believe is the predicted outcome,’ and then make the adjustments from there,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced a further reduction of restrictions on businesses, allowing all storefronts throughout the country to resume operations beginning next week, so long as they adhere to social distancing and hygiene protocols.

Beckles said although businesses will be emerging from a tumultuous time, having been shuttered for more than 70 days, the challenges won’t end there.

“There’s always this ebb and flow in terms of understanding what’s needed. However, it’s going to be difficult for companies during this next 30 days, it is going to continue to be difficult, as we have seen in other places around the world,” he said.

“So yes, by natural attrition some companies are going to find it more difficult over the next 30 days, but I think the fact that we have been able to make progress to this point is also serving as a beam of confidence.”

The post Chamber now looking toward having businesses reopen on weekends appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/05/29/chamber-now-looking-toward-having-businesses-reopen-on-weekends/

CIBC FirstCaribbean bracing for $37M net income decline amid COVID-19

CIBC FirstCaribbean is committed to increasing its digital banking experience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. FILE

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) is bracing for a $37 million net income decline given the economic outlook caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the bank’s Managing Director Marie Rodland-Allen revealed in her review of the bank’s results for the six months ended April 30, 2020.

Rodland said in her review that the expected credit losses because of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy have driven those forward-looking results, as compared to the bank’s $47 million net income result for the same period last year.

“Against this backdrop (COVID-19), the bank reported net income of $3 million for the six months ended April 30, 2020, compared to net income of $47 million for the same period in the prior year,” the review states.

“The six months’ financial results were negatively affected by $37 million of provision for credit losses, which reflects our revised forward-looking views for probability of defaults, loss given defaults and macro-economic forecasts driven by the extent and timing of the anticipated impact from COVID-19.

“Excluding this material change, the bank generated net income of $40 million. The bank’s performance was adversely affected by lower revenues due to declines in U.S. interest rates and higher expenses due to increased administrative costs.”

Rodland said despite this near-term economic outlook, the bank will provide its shareholders with an interim dividend of nine cents ($0.09) per share, “subject to regulatory approval and upon the Central Bank’s lifting of its current suspension of dividend approvals”.

She added that the bank’s tier one and total capital ratios remain in excess of the regulatory requirements, at 24.9 percent and 24.7 percent.

“COVID-19 is unprecedented,” said Rodland. “I am extremely proud of the commitment all of our employees have demonstrated in continuing to serve our clients through these difficult times. We have made accommodations for many to work from home.

“As an essential service, we have erected plexiglass screens in branches, installed hand sanitizer dispensers in all our facilities, provided employees with masks and implemented new protocols to ensure the safety of both our employees and clients.

“With the contraction in economic activity, cash flow is critical to keeping businesses and households afloat. To support our clients we have offered up to six-month moratoria on loans on request and three-month automatic moratoria on credit card payments. Encouragingly, we have seen increased usage of our digital offerings – online and mobile banking.”

Rodland said CIBC FirstCaribbean is committed to increasing its digital banking experience through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post CIBC FirstCaribbean bracing for $37M net income decline amid COVID-19 appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/05/29/cibc-firstcaribbean-bracing-for-37m-net-income-decline-amid-covid-19/