MOH: Covid Health Rules Not Perfect

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Following 18 months of restrictions, the state of emergency is set to expire on Saturday. During a debate in parliament today, Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville admitted the rules to replace them may not be perfect but they are absolutely necessary.

The rules come into effect on November 13, the day the state of emergency expires.

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.

Marco City MP Michael Pintard says while he agrees the state of emergency needs to end he takes issue with several aspects of the rules including the powers granted to the Minister of Health.

It was a message not well received by the health minister.

Discussions about the new rules came as parliamentarians debated the Covid-19 Pandemic (Special Provisions) Bill, 2021.

The bill that was passed on Wednesday afternoon, allows for modifications to the Local Government Act, The Education Act, The Immigration Act, and The Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act, which were modified by the Emergency Powers Order.

Dr. Darville says the government has consulted several sectors.