Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis’ assertion that Bahamians could have a good Christmas if people comply with the COVID-19 protocols is “unrealistic”, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday.
“If we continue on this trend, that would be unrealistic,” he said.
“We have to see some improvement in the management of this process before we can get there.
“The country has to open. The country needs tourists. Bahamians need to get back to work because they are hurting.
“But you have to do that safely and wisely. And we want to see the plan that can carry us to that place. And there have been no plans enunciated to date that inspire me that that will happen.”
Three islands — Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence — are currently under an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly curfew.
A 24-hour weekend curfew is in effect for Abaco and New Providence.
When asked on Wednesday if he was considering eliminating the weekend lockdowns following a recent decrease in cases on Abaco and New Providence, the prime minister replied, “What I would ask is that everyone remains compliant and cooperative in terms of the mitigation processes or protocols that are put in place.
“If we’re to do that, then the numbers would continue to go down and maybe we can have a good Christmas moving forward.
“So, our aim and our objective should be not only to have our tourist sector running, not only to have…individuals to be re-employed but, at the same time, to move toward Christmas because it is one of the greatest family unifications during a particular year. So, we would all like to enjoy that.”
But Davis said, “All I can say is from what they are letting us know, we are in serious trouble.
“We accept and we appreciate that the management of this crisis is very poor. And the leadership that’s required to carry us through this is not there, not from what we’re seeing – the flip-flopping over the reopening, the manner in which they have reduced testing, all of that is…ludicrous.”
Davis said that data should be shared, along with a plan for the management of COVID-19 in The Bahamas. He noted that until that happens, it will continue to be unclear how decisions are being made.
“His optimism, which is tied to the data that he said he should see, could only be shared if he shares the data,” he said.
“We don’t know what data he’s relying on.”
He added, “And we have to have a plan. And what are the plans? He said he is optimistic because of the data, well share the data and what plans has he put in place as a result of the data he received?”
The Bahamas is currently in the beginning of its ramping up of the tourism industry, with tourists being allowed in the country without having to quarantine as of November 1.
However, with cases still rising, a number of restrictive measures remain in place, particularly on New Providence, where there are weekday curfews and weekend lockdowns
It remains unclear when those restrictions will be relaxed.
The post Davis: PM’s claims on a good Christmas unrealistic appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/davis-pms-claims-on-a-good-christmas-unrealistic/
No comments:
Post a Comment