Bahamas puts Grand Bahama under lockdown a day before US travel ban takes effect
With a surge in COVID-19 cases being traced back to Bahamians traveling from the United States, the Bahamas has announced a two-week lockdown of the island of Grand Bahama, which is leading a wave of new infections after being coronavirus free for months.
Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, speaking before a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, said the lockdown would take effect beginning Thursday evening and run until Aug. 7.
He added that effective 6 p.m. Tuesday, all domestic flights in and out of Grand Bahama will cease. The Royal Bahamas Defense Force, Minnis warned, will also form a perimeter around the island to prevent any boats from leaving or entering the island.
The new restrictions come as the Bahamas prepares to reinstitute a nationwide travel ban against commercial flights from the United States beginning at midnight Wednesday. Visitors traveling on pleasure crafts, yachts and private aircraft with nine seats or less from the U.S. less will still be permitted, along with commercial flights from Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
All visitors are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 10 days of travel from an accredited laboratory to gain entry into the country.
_ Miami Herald
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