Henfield argues that anyone who does not think the emergency powers are necessary is being ‘irresponsible’

As he led debate on the resolution to extend the state of emergency to November 30, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield said “anyone who says these powers are not necessary in this crisis is being irresponsible”.

“This pandemic is not close to ending,” Henfield said in the House of Assembly on Monday.

“Like the rest of the world, we will continue to go through cycles of tightening up and loosening until we find that perfect mix that would cause us to be able to save lives, keep our people healthy and put the engine of our economy back where we would like to see it in our country.

“When the virus numbers are high and a part of our country, we must use the emergency measures to tighten up restrictions. When cases decrease, we loosen up and allow more openness.”

In a statement last week, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said his party will not support an extension.

“The prime minister is trying the same old methods, the numbers keep going up in deaths and infections, yet the prime minister does the same old things,” Davis said.

But Henfield argued on Monday that the emergency powers gives the government the power to act quickly.

“The ability to act to save lives comes from the emergency powers,” he said.

“Anyone who says these powers are not necessary in this crisis is being irresponsible.”

Henfield noted that case numbers and deaths are continuing to rise, specifically on New Providence.

“The numbers are going up on a number of Family Islands because some from New Providence are helping to spread the virus on some of our islands,” Henfield said.

“The pandemic emergency is not over in our county. The fight continues.

“The orders are not meant to concentrate powers in the hands of the competent authority, who in this instance happens to be the prime minister, but to give the Cabinet of The Bahamas the opportunity to manage this deadly COVID-19 pandemic based upon the…advice we receive from medical experts and others.”

The majority of the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, who has led debate on previous extension resolutions, remains in quarantine.

They went into quarantine after Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Those ministers will remain in quarantine, with the exception of Henfield and Minister of State for Disaster Reconstruction Iram Lewis, who were both absent from last week’s Cabinet meeting.

The Ministry of Health recommends a 14-day isolation from the point of possible contact or contact with a COVID-19-positive individual.

This would mean the Cabinet would be isolated until November 3.

The resolution for the extension must pass before the state of emergency expires on October 31.

Governor General C.A. Smith declared a state of emergency on March 18, three days after The Bahamas confirmed its first COVID-19 case.

A new proclamation was issued on June 29.

As of Sunday, there were 6,466 cases and 132 COVID-19-related deaths confirmed in The Bahamas.

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