Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced a string of restrictions for Exuma, which has seen an “exponential increase” in COVID-19 cases “following the October holiday weekend and two major social events”.
“Over the past week, Exuma has recorded 30 new confirmed cases of COVID-19,” Minnis said during a short national address on Wednesday night.
“As of yesterday, the 10th of November, a total of 79 positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded on the island of Exuma. Of that number, 28 cases are active, two are hospitalized, and sadly, there has been one COVID-19 related death.”
He said the data calls for urgent action.
The restrictions, which come into effect on Thursday, include a weekday curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Minnis said a 24-hour weekend curfew will also be imposed, starting 6 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday.
Businesses will not be permitted to operate on the weekends.
However, commercial activity may continue as normal.
All bars and restaurants connected to bars are to be closed.
All private and public social gatherings are prohibited.
Indoor church services are prohibited. A maximum of 10 people may provide livestream services from the sanctuary.
In-person classes are not permitted. He said classes are allowed by virtual means only.
Funerals are restricted to gravesides with a maximum of 10 people, excluding officiants.
Weddings are limited to 10 people, excluding officiants.
Receptions and repasts are prohibited.
These restrictions do not apply to the Exuma Cays.
Domestic travel by air or sea vessels is prohibited in to and out of Exuma, except in an emergency and where approved by the director of Civil Aviation Authority or the chairman of the Bahamas Maritime Authority.
Anyone traveling from Exuma to any other island in The Bahamas will be required to have a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test to leave Exuma.
“I know that this is short notice,” Minnis said.
“But such a measure is a critical part of the strategy to contain and to control the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country. This measure is designed to stop possible spikes on other islands because of individuals who may be COVID 19 positive quickly moving to other islands.”
Similar restrictions came into effect on Eleuthera on Monday.
Minnis said all COVID-19 positive patients on Eleuthera are in isolation and their contacts are in quarantine.
Eleuthera has confirmed 130 COVID-19 since the pandemic started.
The post PM imposes restrictions on Exuma following explosion of COVID cases appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/pm-imposes-restrictions-on-exuma-following-explosion-of-covid-cases/
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