National

Cooper: Government Wants Feedback on Health Rules

The health rules that will replace the current emergency order are not set in stone, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2021

Our News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The health rules that will replace the current emergency order are not set in stone. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Of Tourism Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper says the government will, where warranted, make changes based on feedback it gets.

Cooper made the comments as he wrapped up debate on a resolution thanking the Governor General for reading the Speech from the Throne.

Cooper says while the government has already gotten feedback, it wants more.

A state of emergency was declared in The Bahamas last March after the country’s first COVID case was confirmed.

Various emergency orders were then issued, restricting the movement of Bahamians, the operation of non-essential businesses, and the imposition of a curfew, among other things.

On Monday, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville tabled the Health Services (COVID-19) (Prevention and Management of Community Spread) Rules, 2021, and the Health Services (COVID-19 General) Rules, 2021.

Those rules come into effect when the state of emergency expires on November 13th.

Many of the current restrictions in place others will be removed and new mandates will be imposed.

Under the new rules, there will be no more nightly curfew.

The new rules will maintain the mandate to wear masks in public, social distancing protocols, sanitizing requirements, entry requirements into the country, and other restrictive measures currently imposed by the emergency order.