PM hopes for end to state of emergency by August

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis this morning tabled a resolution in the House of Assembly to extend the state of emergency to August 13.

However, he expressed hope that The Bahamas will be in a position to abandon the state of emergency before then.

“It is our hope that we would not need the three months,” said Minnis, shortly after he read the resolution to extend the state of emergency.

“It is our hope that with vaccinations aggressively and progressively moving throughout the world and continuing in The Bahamas, and with the cooperation with our populace following the mitigation protocols for the pandemic, that we would see a turn.

“Once that commences, we would love to remove all the emergency powers orders so that individuals can turn back to their normal life following the new protocols and world standards as quickly as possible.

“…Once we see the turn we would be more than happy to remove the emergency powers.”

The state of emergency was due to expire on May 23.

However, on Friday, Governor General Sir Cornelius Smith issued a fourth proclamation declaring a state of emergency.

This gives the competent authority, Minnis, up to another six months of emergency powers.

There have been more than 11,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. 

There have been 220 confirmed COVID-19 deaths. Officials also reported that 51 people died with the virus, not because of it, since March 2020.  

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/pm-hopes-for-end-to-state-of-emergency-by-august/