COVID-19 Updates | COVID Guidelines

COVID-19 CURFEW GUIDELINES

Updates, Protocols & Regulations

Last Updated on: September 16th, 2020 at 9:00 am

  • Curfew In Effect

Effective Monday 31 August 2020 10PM - 5AM daily curfew for the following islands and surrounding cays: Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Mayaguana and New Providence.

The public is reminded to practice the following COVID-19 prevention guidelines:

  • Wear a face mask when you leave your home.
  • Practice social distancing, at least 6ft from others.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze in your inner elbow or with a tissue.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as phones, remote controls, counters, doorknobs, and keyboards.

Emergency Powers:

  • COVID-19 Bahamas
  • Travel Guidelines

Commercial and private flights and sea vessels are permitted to travel into, within and out of The Bahamas

Inter-island Travel

Travel is permitted between all islands of The Bahamas based on the following requirements:

  • Before departure, a negative RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test with a negative result within 10 days from the date of travel. (Effective 1 September 2020 the time between the negative test and travel date will be 5 days).
  • Upon arrival to the island, mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility or any other appropriate facility as determined by the Ministry of Health, at traveler’s expense, for a period of 14 days or for the duration of stay, if for a lesser period.
  • Undergo a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test at the end of the quarantine period.

A negative test is not required:

  • In respect of an emergency
  • If traveling from an island where curfew is not in effect
  • If traveling between islands where curfew is not in effect
  • If traveling from an island into either Grand Bahama or New Providence. (Please note: a negative test is required for travel between Grand Bahama and New Providence).
  • For a child under 10 years of age (mandatory 14-day quarantine still required)
  • Operators of flights or vessels carrying cargo and passengers

NOTE: The Chief Medical Officer may exempt a person traveling within The Bahamas from the negative test requirement, however, mandatory quarantine is still required for 14 days upon arrival, at the traveler’s expense.

International Travel

Entry requirement for citizens, legal residents and visitors:

  • Before departure to The Bahamas, a Health Visa issued by the Government of The Bahamas. To apply visit travel.gov.bs
  • Before departure to The Bahamas, a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test with a negative result within 10 days from the date of travel. (Effective 1 September 2020 the time between the negative test and travel date will be 5 days).
  • Upon arrival to the island, mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility or any other appropriate facility as determined by the Ministry of Health, at traveler’s expense, for a period of 14 days. (Please note: hotels qualify as quarantine site).
  • Undergo a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test at the end of the quarantine period.
  • A negative COVID-19 test result in not required for a child under 10 years of age (mandatory 14-day quaratine still required).

Monitoring

As a condition of entry into The Bahamas, a traveler must agree to monitoring by way of the HubbCat Monitoring Platform; the Ministry og Health; members if the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit; unschedled visits by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Citizens and legal residents who refuse to be monitored must quarantine at a goverment identified facility as appointed by the Competent Authority, at the traveler's expense, for a period of 14-days.

Visitors who refuse to be monitored shall be deported at the earliest opprtunity and until deportation will be place in mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility.

Note: The Chief Medical Officer may exempt a person (international or domestic traveler) from requirement of a RTPCR COVID-19 diagnostic test at the end of the quaratine period.

  • Recreation and Events

Social Gatherings

New Providence: Social gatherings in a private residence or facility are still prohibited, except for a specified home school programme, wedding (in accordance with Emergency Order) or as otherwise permitted under the Order.

Other Islands: Social gatherings permitted for up to 10 people or as otherwise permitted under the Order.

Exercise

Exercise permitted from 5AM to 10PM daily, within neighbourhood.

Outdoor exercise is permitted between 5AM to 12 Noon.

Masks are not required during exercise but must be visible on the person during exercise

note: applicable to all islands
  • Beaches and Parks
  • Stay Safe Bahamas
  • Guidelines & Business Operations

Effective Monday 7 September 2020 the following islands (and surrounding cays) of Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Mayaguana businesses may determine operating hours between 5AM - 10PM. This does not apply to New Providence (see provisions below).

Additionally, retailers may offer in-store service subject to safety protocols. This does not apply to New Providence (see provisions below).

Shopping Safety Tips

Shopping Hours (New Providence only)

Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Water Depots, Gas Stations & Hardware Stores permitted to operate daily 6AM - 9PM daily

Bakeries (retail) permitted to operate daily 7AM - 5PM

Retail clothing, jewlery, shoes or fabric stores (in-store) permitted to operate 7AM - 6PM Monday - Saturday

Other Retail (curbside & delivery only) permitted to operate 7AM - 6PM Monday - Saturday

note: applicable to New Providence only; other islands may dertermine operating hours between 5am to 10pm

Banking & Insurance

Medical Care

Restaurants

New Providence: Permitted to operate daily 5AM - 9PM under the following guidelines:

  • Outdoor dining (excluding Fish Fry restaurants)
  • Curbside pickup and delivery
  • Drive-thru
  • Take away
  • Subject to physical distancing, mask, and sanitizing protocols

Other Islands: Business may determine operating hours between 5AM and 10PM under the following guidelines:

  • May offer indoor dining services, subject to physical distancing, mask and sanitization protocols.
  • Fish Fry restaurants may continue take away and curbside service only

Public & Private Transport

Private and public bus transportation allowed to operate at 50% occupancy and subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism and approved by the Ministry of Health

Taxi service may operate subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism and approved by the Ministry of Health

Landscape Services and Pool Maintenance

Permitted to operate Monday - Saturday 7AM - 5PM (essential workers only)

note: applicable to New Providence only; other islands may dertermine operating hours between 5am to 10pm

Construction

Construction sites not follwoing mask and other physical distancing protocals will be fined for non-compliance with the Order.

New Provdence:Monday - Friday 7AM - 5PM, Saturday 7AM - 1PM

Other Islands: Business may determine operating hours between 5AM and 10PM.

Subject to protocols established approved by the Ministry of Health.

Fishing and Farming

Fishing limited to two persons per vessel between 5AM - 6PM

Commercial fishing, including trap setting and fishing for crawfish, permitted beyond curfew hours

Harvesting of carbs are permitted beyond curfew hours

  • In Case You Missed It
Highlights: Prime Minister's Press Conference From Grand Bahama, Monday 7 September, 2020 (above):
  • All retailers may offer in-store service subject to safety protocols, except New Providence (applies to Grand Bahama, Abaco, Acklins, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua and Mayaguana)
  • Casinos, bars, discos, cinemas, gyms, regattas, festivals and similar activities remain prohibited.
  • Restaurants may offer indoor dining services, subject to physical distancing, mask and sanitization protocols, except New Providence (applies to Grand Bahama, Abaco, Acklins, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua and Mayaguana).
  • Fish Fry establishments to continue take-away and curb side service only.
  • Businesses may determine operating hours between 5am – 10pm (applies to Grand Bahama, Abaco, Acklins, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua and Mayaguana).
  • Small social gatherings permitted up to maximum of 10 people, except New Providence (applies to Grand Bahama, Abaco, Acklins, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua and Mayaguana).
  • Residents on all islands in Second Schedule may now exercise outdoors in their neighborhoods from 5am to 10pm, including New Providence.
  • Residents on all islands, including New Providence, may participate in outdoor group exercise between 5am and 12noon.
  • Residents on all islands, including New Providence, will be able to visit beaches and parks daily from 5am to 12noon.
  • Charters allowed inter-island subject to protocols.
  • Inter-island commercial air travel to resume as normal Wednesday 9 September 2020.
  • COVID-19 negative test result no longer required for inter-island travel, except for those traveling from New Providence.
  • 14-day quarantine still required at destination for travelers from second schedule islands, including Grand Bahama.
  • $250 fine for not wearing a mask in public will be enforced.
  • Construction sites not following mask and other physical distancing protocols will be fined for non-compliance with Order.
  • Government remains positively engaged with development partners on the two major investments approved for Grand Bahama – Lucaya Hotel Project and Carnival Corporation Project.
  • Government continuing discussions with Hutchison Ports and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to finalize agreement on best way forward to rebuild world-class Grand Bahama Airport.
  • Grand Bahama Food Task Force has distributed 12,000 vouchers totaling approx. $1 million to those in need.
  • Department of Social Services in Grand Bahama and the NIB have made significant payouts to residents affected by Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.
  • Disaster Reconstruction Authority’s Small Home Repair Program has approved approx. 2,000 Grand Bahamians for repairs.
  • $4.5 million in contracts awarded in June for major reconstruction to 15 schools on Grand Bahama.
  • $21 million allocated for the phased redevelopment of the Rand Memorial Hospital.
  • Fishing Hole Road Bridge completed and re-opened.
  • Stay Safe Bahamas
  • Schools and Examination

BJC and BGCSE national exams are postponed until further notice. More information to be released by the Ministry of Education.