BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe

House of Assembly Communication

The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis Prime Minister 

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Nassau, Bahamas

Mr. Speaker:

In my national address this past Sunday I advised the country on the situation we currently face in the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains a dangerous and deadly threat to the entire world and to our Bahamas.

I am encouraged with the progress in Grand Bahama and most of our Family Islands.

Virus numbers are low in these places.

Therefore, regular life and businesses can proceed with greater normalcy.  

Residents on these islands are to be commended. 

I highly encourage the residents of Grand Bahama and the Family Islands to keep complying with the public health advice of mask wearing, physical distancing and proper sanitization.

The more they do so the more they will be able to live with few restrictions.

However, Mr. Speaker: We face urgent challenges here on New Providence and Abaco. 

The persistently high case numbers – particularly on New Providence – have placed immense strain on our healthcare system and our medical professionals.

Our hospitals are full.

Medical teams have been pushed to their capacity.

If there is further deterioration in the COVID-19 situation on our most populated island we risk a collapse of the healthcare system. 

Mr. Speaker: 

My Government uses science and data and listens carefully to the recommendations of experts to guide our policies. 

We also consult with various stakeholders to get their feedback and to discuss the policies we are considering.

This is the worst crisis The Bahamas has faced in its modern history. 

We are living in an unprecedented global emergency. 

Each day is an emergency and we have to constantly make adjustments, day in and day out, sometimes, on an hourly basis.

This is going to be our reality for some time.

Anyone who tells you otherwise does not understand this moment in history ...see attached to continue