The Nassau Guardian March 29, 2020
The government is seeking to extend the 24-hour curfew in The Bahamas until April 8 and implement a grocery shopping schedule in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced tonight.
This comes as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by three, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in The Bahamas to 14. Minnis said two of the patients have been admitted to Doctors Hospital on Blake Road. He said the remaining patients are doing “extremely well”. “We have seen a doubling of confirmed cases over the last four days,” he said at the Office of the Prime Minister. “We anticipate more cases in a short period of time over the coming 20 days.” The prime minister added that the increase in cases indicates that “we are at the beginning of an expected surge”. Minnid said there are still too many people on the streets. He said each household should designate a single shopper. Minnis said shopping days and times will be designated based on the first letter of an individual’s last name. He said this measure is meant to reduce the number of people at grocery stores at any given time. He said more details will be announced soon. The House of Assembly will debate a resolution tomorrow to continue the emergency powers until April 8. Additionally, he said, as of tomorrow all parks will be closed. He also announced that roadside food vendors will no longer be allowed to open.