|
From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
Press Conference Statement The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis Prime Minister
Thursday, 4 June 2020 5:00 P.M. Good afternoon. Early on in the Government’s response to the COVID - 19 outbreak I noted that the country h ad to respond on several fronts at the same time. We had to respond to the immediate and ongoing health challenges posed by the virus. We also had to respond to the variety of economic challenges at home because of the massive and sudden global downturn, especially, in our case, tourism, our leading sector. Many weeks ago , I appointed an Economic Recovery Committee that is hard at work and will make medium - and long - term re commendations to the government for economic stabilization and recovery. We also knew there would be a critical need for food. The National Food Distribution Committee has begun its work and has already distributed approximately $400,000 worth of food. I also previously noted that we also had to protect national security, including preventing as much crime as possible and monitoring gang activity and certain criminal elements. In making our decisions we had to take into account many factors and to balance the various factors in a phased reopening of the economy and the society. After we prepared the nati onal reopening plan, we noted that the plan would be done in stages so we could carefully monitor the progress. Most countries have opened in stages and announced that certain restrictions might be re - imposed depending on the health circumstances. The s ituation the world is in is not static. It is a dynamic, evolving process for an unprecedented time. Because of this, the Bahamas and other countries have had to continue to make often quick adjustments, and to be prepared to change when necessary. The capacity to act and to change quickly is absolutely necessary, especially when deal ing with an outbreak such as this. Such capacity to make changes quickly and when necessary is a strength. Just as we acted quickly at the outset of the pandemic, we have s ought to act and to adjust quickly as things evolve. In countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, Iceland and throughout the Caribbean, government have changed course when necessary, made adjustments and tried new measures in dealing with the health, econom ic and social consequences of this deadly virus. Ladies and Gentlemen: We are still in a global pandemic. There is no vaccine or cure for COVID - 19. The success of the re - opening depends on each of us continuing to wear our masks, practicing physical distancing and washing our hands often and thoroughly. We have started to enter Phase 4 of the reopening plan. Starting next weekend, the 13 th of June, the weekend lockdowns will be lifted. We have decided to maintain the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. c urfew Monday to Sunday for a period of time. We are doing this in order to continue to open in a gradual and sustained manner . I wish to announce that e ffective Monday, June 8 th , b each and park restrictions will be removed for the islands of Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Exuma and San Salvador. Beaches and parks on New Providence , Paradise Island , Grand Bahama , and Bimini remain closed ...to continue see attached
|
