Today in History: September 24

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, on the 24th of September 1998, Hurricane Georges passed through The Bahamas as a Category 1 hurricane, causing one death in the country.

National Security Minister Addresses Spike in Murders

Fast forward to 2014, then-National Security Minister Bernard Nottage addressed public outcry over a spike in murders that year, saying the Christie administration would not have to “go back to the drawing board” when it came to tackling crime.

His comments appeared to contradict statements made by then-Prime Minister Perry Christie just weeks earlier. Following the murders of five people in August 2014, including the PM’s press secretary Latore Mackey, Christie admitted that the government had “a lot of work to do.” He said his administration would rework its plan to fight crime and “go back to the drawing board.”

When Nottage was asked whether he felt the government needed to rework its crime strategy, he gave this response.

Bernard Nottage – Minister, National Security

“Going back to the drawing board is not necessary. What is necessary is to execute the plan that we have in place and to continue to adjust it based on the feedback that we receive from the public.”

Changes to Inter-Island Travel Policy During COVID-19

In 2021, Prime Minister Philip Davis signed an amended emergency order that removed the requirement for a travel health visa for inter-island travel, although negative COVID-19 tests were still required. The policy had been in place since March 2020.

That same day, Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville explained the reason for the change.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“We did not see the need to continue the health visa requirement for inter-island travel, but negative antigen tests are still necessary to protect our citizens and curb the spread of the virus.”