New rules for a ‘new reality’

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville in Parliament. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune staff

As of Tuesday, November 2, 2021

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration yesterday tabled the 2021 Health Services Rules in the House of Assembly to replace the current COVID-19 emergency orders – regulations that, once enacted, will put an end to the competent authority and empower the Ministry of Health and Wellness to manage the ongoing pandemic.

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The regulations, tabled by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville, outline the new COVID-19 protocols for businesses, social gatherings and travel, depicting what the country’s “new normal” will look like once the emergency orders end on November 13.

According to the regulations, Bahamians and visitors will still be required to wear a mask, sanitize and socially distance following the November 13 deadline.

A business may also operate provided it “prepares a protocol document containing guidelines relevant to the business as issues or approved by the ministry; completes the ministry’s workplace assessment online survey and ensures that every employee is familiar with the content of the approved protocol document.”

However, businesses can be closed if ordered by the Health Minister, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, for non-compliance or because a COVID outbreak among other things.

Indoor dining at restaurants will also be allowed at a 50 percent seating capacity but all customers must be fully vaccinated and have a “valid” negative antigen test result.

Pertaining to religious activities, church services, weddings and funerals can be held indoors in accordance with protocols provided by the Bahamas Christian Council and approved by the Ministry of Health.

However, church services on islands listed in the second schedule are limited to 33 percent seating capacity.

In addition to this, “a funeral service conducted in a church or place of religious instruction shall be conducted without the presence of the remains in an urn or casket inside.”

Graveside funeral services also will be permitted once all COVID-19 protocols are followed.

The new regulations also place limitations on social gatherings, with only 20 people allowed to attend a private social event indoors under the condition that they are fully vaccinated.

For outdoor events, all attendees must also be vaccinated and adhere to public health measures.

For international and domestic travel, the requirements still remain the same.

Persons aged five and older, seeking entry to The Bahamas must still present a travel health visa and submit a negative COVID test no later than five days prior to travel on the ministry’s travel visa website.

Those not fully vaccinated must undergo a RT-PCR test and submit to a rapid antigen test on the fifth day after arrival.

However, cruise ship passengers travelling to The Bahamas are required to be fully vaccinated and are additionally expected to follow testing requirements as outlined by the cruise line operator.

For those flying domestically from an island listed in the second schedule, a negative RT-PCR test is required for those not fully vaccinated, while a negative rapid antigen test or RT-PCR is required for fully vaccinated.

Exemptions for the COVID testing requirement will only be made in the cases of emergencies and if persons travelling from The Bahamas or from an island listed in the second schedule returns within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, pertaining to the Health Minister’s powers, the minister may impose restrictive measures on businesses and also has responsibility for securing COVID-19 and relevant hospital supplies needed to aid the country’s fight against the virus.

Further, the minister is also required to appoint an advisory committee consisting of medical experts, who will advise and make recommendations with respect to the pandemic.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Dr Darville praised the new legislative rules, saying they are in keeping with the Progressive Liberal Party’s promise to end the existing emergency orders.

“While in opposition, we promised legislation to replace emergency orders,” Dr Darville told parliamentarians. “This morning we are delivering on that promise and finally closing this dark chapter in our country’s history. The former FNM administration said it could not be done, but in fact, we have done it.”

He also said: “On the 13th of this month, November 2021, the current COVID-19 emergency orders will fall away, and the competent authority will be dismantled. We are amending Section 29 of the existing Health Services Act so that the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will now be the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. These new rules will replace the emergency orders. They will also allow us the flexibility to make adjustments as the need arises to respond to the changing variables of the pandemic.”

Dr Darville also said that while local infection rates are declining, the pandemic is still not over as he urged Bahamians to remain on guard.

“I want to be very clear: the COVID crisis is still very much with us,” he said yesterday. “The Delta Variant is more than twice as transmissible as the original virus and it is still circulating. There are new variants that may prove to be more transmissible yet, or more lethal. Anyone who says they know exactly what the virus will do next hasn’t learned from experience. The virus has surprised the world before and it could do so again.

“...Even though cases have been falling, we cannot let our guard down,” he continued. “The virus spreads more rapidly indoors, and indoor gatherings with poor ventilation and large numbers of people can become super spreader events, ones which could threaten the progress we’ve made. It is for that reason that the rules outline protocols for businesses, social gatherings and other activities.”

He also announced in the House of Assembly that the second tranche of Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive in the country from the United States government next week.

He said: “We are also negotiating with the United States and via other diplomatic channels to bring into the country the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine for children under the age of 12 years. Vaccine uptake among children and teenagers will help pave the way to a safe reopening of schools. But I want to be clear, though, that this vaccine will only be made available to children should their parents request it.”

immigrant 2 years, 5 months ago

That is the nail in the coffin for restaurants. With vat and grat, you already tack on 27% to exorbitant dining/ restaurant costs. Now you expect customers to pay another $20 per head to do so... Remind me again what advantages people enjoy for getting the jab? New Day indeed.

bahamianson 2 years, 5 months ago

Can't imagine Bahamians saying they are broke, but can find 27% on top of the crazy prices in the restaurants. I cannot see how restaurants are still in business.

whogothere 2 years, 5 months ago

Yep just another excuse for a never ending medical dictatorship…

There is simply just to much grey in the trampling of civil liberties…

At least emergency orders had expiry dates…

Emilio26 2 years, 5 months ago

Do you realize that we're still dealing with the pandemic sir/madame? Health protocols must still be followed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

lunalula 2 years, 5 months ago

The point is that by removing the emergency orders but keeping protocols the same, they are in effect, making all of the temporary rules and regulations permanent.

whogothere 2 years, 5 months ago

Actually no I hadn't - deaths and cases are at all time low and NOOOOwhere in the world have the supposed protocols (masks, social distancing, school closures, vaccination mandates) worked to mitigate seasonal spikes or made any difference in the numbers of cases or deaths...please provide evidence that any of these protocols have worked - would love to hear what you have to say...

bahamianson 2 years, 5 months ago

exactly, just look at Florida. Florida has the lowest rate per capita and it has been open from day one with minimal effect on business' compared to california.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz...............

JokeyJack 2 years, 5 months ago

Would you please buy a ticket to North Korea or Syria and go there today? You obviously dont know what freedom ja or what a vaccine is. Why aren't peope dying from measles? Because they are vaccinated. Why are people dying from Covid? Bevause they are either vaccinated or unvaccinated. Doesn't matter. Also if you die less than 14 days from your 2nd shot you are listed as unvaccinated. Please feel free to kill yourself, but dont force other people to kill themselves with your poison.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

Bingo!

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Israel ran into a brick wall with its passQCR code as those fully vaccinated are undone after four to six months due to vaccine loss of efficacy which then requires revaxing to to regain status as fully vaccinated. Persons are refusing unending vaccinations just to be at indoor social events. The unknown medical mafia will continue to rape the Bahamian travel by air public. All 1st World vaccinated nations has conceded that they have to live with Covid vaccinated or not as risk remains for all. Just mirroring minnis' misguided and archaic helth measures prolongs public stress that saw him ousted for world health ignorance and ignoring open source current scientific data on Covid that PAHO says undermines vaccine only strategy. The WHO was castigated at the recent health forum for ignoring Ivermectin/hydroxichloroquine Protease Inhibitor pre health booster theraputics and relying on vaccine or death. That the vaccines fail during four to six months for vaccine jabs is their only solution. And the world is stupid as square one is a vi$ciou$ circle.

DWW 2 years, 5 months ago

THE AZ is a 90% efficacy and does not require booster. wild generalizations do zero to advance the dialogue. maybe try reading a book?

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

AZ is only 70% dude. Go read a book.

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

A must read warning from a fully vaccinated Israel to vaccinated persons.

https://m.jpost.com/health-and-wellne...">https://m.jpost.com/health-and-wellne...

Economist 2 years, 5 months ago

From the Article. "One study comparing symptoms among people vaccinated and unvaccinated found that a vaccinated person infected with corona had a 58% less chance of developing a fever. Most people who were vaccinated and then infected said they felt more like they had a minor cold. Another difference is the risk of being hospitalized. The vaccinated have a much lower chance of being hospitalized because of their symptoms and are less likely to suffer long-term symptoms, often referred to as long-COVID."

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Depending on individual body immunity status, age and comorbidities. Bottom line is that those without morbidities could easily survive Covid like the Bahamians who are not fat, children and healthy young adults. Vaccines that need a quick reboost every other day is like my sex pill. It does not fix the problem. I must always keep one on hand in case of failure.

jus2cents 2 years, 5 months ago

https://www.covid-datascience.com/pos...">https://www.covid-datascience.com/pos...

Dawes 2 years, 5 months ago

So you get rid of the emergency orders and replace them with in effect emergency orders. This is like the VAT to 10%, but we are increasing plenty of other items so you lose out situation. Apart from what looks like no curfew the rest are the same or worse (now if vaccinated you need to show a test to go indoor dining).

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

He is correct on that. Those vaccinated, the shot create Covid antibodies in your body by exposing you to Covid spikes which your body produces but you also breath and spit them out while talking. Non vaccinated and Covid negative are 100% more healthy as some new varients avoid testing and are immune to vaccines. Scientists are afraid to reveal that thin air is not creation a new breed of viruses.

moncurcool 2 years, 5 months ago

Spot on. The new rules are the same old rules in disguised, with the same health travel visa that they criticized so much. Oh, and where is the free testing?

PLP surely fooled the people with the New day that has the OLD heads leading it.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

They didn't fool me.....I voted for one of the independent candidates running in my constituency and I was saddened that she didn't get elected because she can run circles around Davis and Darville when it comes to her intellligence and common sense.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

Bingo x 1000 !

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Only Health Protocals along with scientifically recognized Protease Inhibitors pre Covid boosters work. Wholesale non targeted Te$ting forever is recognized as $$$ laughable $$$ medical monitizing of a health issue.

sheeprunner12 2 years, 5 months ago

The vaccine hoax will persist with the PLP ..... It will just become more hilarious with so many "grey" rules to pacify an ill disciplined society. The shoe is on the other foot, so we'll see how it goes for 242. The PLP was smart to get rid of the CA boogey man. There will just be a multi headed devil to blame in 242

Emilio26 2 years, 5 months ago

Actually CA Smith is still Governor General. He hasn't announced publicly that he's resigning.

Dawes 2 years, 5 months ago

Competent Authority = CA

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.........

sheeprunner12 2 years, 5 months ago

CA stands for Competent Authority, aka HAM

lunalula 2 years, 5 months ago

“This morning we are delivering on that promise and finally closing this dark chapter in our country’s history."

Closing a dark chapter? Not at all. They are making the emergency orders permanent...it sounds worse to me.

bcitizen 2 years, 5 months ago

What is the guidelines and criteria that must be met for the tyranny to end? No one seems to want to state what that might be. No cases? 10 cases per month? Week? 0 deaths? 100% vaccination rate? effective therapeutic drugs? What is the end goal? What is the measure of when this foolishness can stop? This should be made mandatory in this legislation. The goal posts always seem to move.

FrustratedBusinessman 2 years, 5 months ago

This is only going to end when the Americans put down their cheeseburgers and TV remotes and use that 2nd Amendment right that their ancestors left them.

The cattle need to get ready for their fourth shot!

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health...">https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health...

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

Absolutely right! LMAO

whogothere 2 years, 5 months ago

Well by creating a leaky vaccine that only effectively works for 6 months (ish) it ensures that no population will never achieve 100% sterile vaccination.. Only a small % of the population will ever be within the 6 month window of protection...the other 'vaccinated' folks simple become vessels for variants production ensuring the energizer panic bunny can keep on going, and going and going...oh yeah did you hear that 10% of domestic cats in the UK where infected by COVID...so yeah this is never going away and neither are the proxy regulations advocated by professions (journalists, doctors and politicians) desperate to control situations that are simply impossible to...

https://www.news-medical.net/news/202...">https://www.news-medical.net/news/202...

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

The Red Line has been reached as the vaccinated cringe at booster after booster and the Covid of everything creeps from travel, social/cultural gatherings, education to grocery shopping in parts of Germany. It is planned that way. Grow your chicken and breadfruit. In ten years there will be no fish. France and UK are at war now over fishing grounds.

Jetflt 2 years, 5 months ago

So every time you want to go eat at a restaurant, you have to get a covid test in advance??? That's the end of that business!!!

ohdrap4 2 years, 5 months ago

THE RESTAURANTS WILL JUST TEST THEM ON ARRIVAL. SOME DO AT 15. BUT THE RESULT NOT VALID FOR OTHER PLACES.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

No....actually it's the end of Davis and Darville who are now the laughing stock of the Bahamian people for attempting the very same scaremongering tactics Minnis had in mind to unconstitutionally pursue the mother-of-all power grabs under the evil pretense of somehow protecting us from the Wuhan virus.

This corrupt feeble minded and incompetent Davis led PLP administration has simply decided to enact the legislation Minnis instructed Carl Bethel to draft in a wrongful effort to try codify and cement the emergency orders and protocols into statute law that violates just about every civil right and liberty guaranteed to us under our Constitution. This PLP administration will be ignored and laughed off of the political stage by the Bahamian people. And most rightfully so. ROWL

moncurcool 2 years, 5 months ago

SO the Minister of Health has now become the competent authority. Wow!

sheeprunner12 2 years, 5 months ago

No, the PLP will not use that phrase. They blamed that for all Covid failings. No CA, just a flaccid new law, that people will soon ignore (for the most part).

CoolCatBD 2 years, 5 months ago

These rules don't go far enough, any gathering, a Covid Ambassador should be hired, to supervise people interacting with each other. Also to collect any fines for the Government. This will go a long way!

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Tyranny. Half of USA is non functioning now as the populace tries O get the world as we knew it spinning again away from medical minis/hitlerism

CoolCatBD 2 years, 5 months ago

My friend, I am not looking at the USA, I am looking at Australia, where the unclean humans are lock inside 22 hours a day. Now kangaroo can be seen walking down city streets in peace!!!

sheeprunner12 2 years, 5 months ago

PLP already dismantled the Covid ambassador system. They saw them as Minnis henchmen. This gonna be long

ohdrap4 2 years, 5 months ago

In Australia, where people can only go out to buy "essential items", the ambassador looks in the shopping bags to see if they only bought the allowed items.

Mind you in australia there were 2 women premiers and new zealand a woman prie minister. They could teach many local kahunas how to be vicious.

They even had the police shot 18 rescue dogs not to allow volunteers to go out to feed them.

happyfly 2 years, 5 months ago

WTF.....!!! Do away with emergency powers but give the incompetent health authority a permanent mandate to make up new rules every day instead. In the meantime, SE Florida is wide open and cases are plummeting and more and more hard data coming out that the vaccines do nothing to stop the spread of any of these variants he talks about. I really thought the PLP would have the guts to move away from the communist PAHO/WHO - big pharma vaccine holocaust. At least I thought they had the brains to recognize that the silent majority voted the FNM out because of all of this Nazi foolishness.....how long till the next elections ?? If the tourist economy isn't in ruins and we are all enslaved by the New World Order by then

happyfly 2 years, 5 months ago

And good luck in the family islands when they have to close every restaurant on the island for non-compliance. What are they going to do next, start locking Florida tourists up for not wearing a mask and shooting rubber bullets at innocent people for complaining - that is the NEW NORMAL in Australia

lunalula 2 years, 5 months ago

Moderator, can you please let me know why you are not posting my comments?

DDK 2 years, 5 months ago

Minister of Death for The Bahamas. Congratulations to all of you who who thought, or hoped, that this government would be better than the last fricked up one. More horrible governance. More doom and gloom. Thank you Doctor Death.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

Davis and his cabinet members are just creatures of instruction. The likes of the IMF and the very greedy and evil globalist billionaire oligarchs they represent are now calling all the shots.

It really doesn't matter anymore who we vote for at the polls. Our corrupt local political elite, whether they be of the FNM or PLP flavour, long ago sold all of us out as they went about unjustly enriching themselves, their families, their financial-backers, cronies, etc., by selling our country off to the foreign corporate vultures represented by the IMF, IDB, World Bank, etc., and the evil foreign state actors who facilitate their raping, pillaging and plundering of small and vulnerable nations like The Bahamas.

truetruebahamian 2 years, 5 months ago

The PLP has screwed up again! What about employees who work in restaurants, those who supply restaurants and those entering restaurants to ruin any enjoyment that might have been had by the patrons? I swear we must be the stupidest country in the world with the most stupid and blind governments.

ohdrap4 2 years, 5 months ago

In addition to this, “a funeral service conducted in a church or place of religious instruction shall be conducted without the presence of the remains in an urn or casket inside.”

No problem, just place the deceased or his ashes in a cardboard box.

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

The vaccines spread the virus as a vector as each shot is like a mosquito bite invecting that person in order to derive Covid antibodies at that point the vaccinated spread the virus through spit and breathing. The vaccine does not supply immunity from Covid as all vaccinated persons must be tested to travel or to publicly/privately gather to eat maybe to shop if certain regional health powers has its way. Many vaccinated in the Bahamas have gotten sick and caused Covid death among their families. There is no proof that the vaccines create Covid varients but neither could it be denied. However, varients sure appeared after vaccines were introduced to stop Alfa. If we had the money and resources of Auschwitz Australia we would still be under a Minnis medical monetized global tyrannical dictatorship. Tourism and all other supporting industries necessary for Bahamians to grow are paying ransom to the medical only elite millionaires of PCR and test for ever strangulation to stressful and financial death.

The_Oracle 2 years, 5 months ago

So, unlike the Competent Authority, which had an expiry date, this mini-me wants the power, and permanently. Everything above up to the travel requirements is just taking stupid in a new direction. Not surprising. Prepare for more desperation, joblessness, crime, frustration, hunger.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

This marks the end of the political careers of both Davis and Darville who are now the laughing stock of the Bahamian people for attempting the very same scaremongering tactics Minnis had in mind to unconstitutionally pursue the mother-of-all power grabs under the evil pretense of somehow protecting us from the Wuhan virus.

Small wonder I'm forever LMAO at the comical entertainment provided by foolish PLP and FNM politicians of the highest corrupt and incompetent order who should just be ignored for what they truly are, i.e. imbecilic idiots!

TalRussell 2 years, 5 months ago

Is Guardian's Talkie Show aka "Cleric" Host is on his latest ramp.
He's got questions over why is it that the new 2021 Health Services Rules has not banned the wearing of open-toe shoes and everything like the sling-back wear peep-toe shoes since they is not healthy for Popoulaces practicing of social distance toes apart?
You really can't make this anti-toes exposing stuffs up. - Yes?

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz............

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Guess The Computer Guy's funded PAHO is more powerful than our vote. We are Pahomians with no rights as parents. Our kids will become forced no parental consent vaccinated during school hours. The Bahamas remains on Covid Script even though UK pediatricians enmass said the vaccines heart issues are worst for kids than Covid. The battle to control is far from over.

ohdrap4 2 years, 5 months ago

Carissa coming to get ya . Resistance is futile. We are the borg.

DWW 2 years, 5 months ago

This comment stream is slightly amusing. All these armchair and youtube experts think they know it all. Surprise numbskulls!!! The medical establishment that keeps your ass alive from birth to death still has way more experience and knowledge than all of these pundidiots making assinine statements on something they know nought. Until you can show me your MD or PHD (and no not a philosophy or religion PHD) and your extensive library on epidimiology then go STFU and sit small!!! Guess what the reason the cases are low is due to the extended invconveniences we have all suffered over the past 18 months. stupid is as stupid says on Tribune comment posts.

CoolCatBD 2 years, 5 months ago

Yes, Four legs good, two legs better!!!

https://www.oann.com/fauci-hhs-offici...">https://www.oann.com/fauci-hhs-offici...

carltonr61 2 years, 5 months ago

Great post.

tribanon 2 years, 5 months ago

As my late Grandpappy would often say: "Having the whole alphabet after your name doesn't make you smart, right or just." LOL

Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago

Neither does having none of the alphabet after your name.

happyfly 2 years, 5 months ago

Hey fella - Human beings have been around quite a bit longer than you and your overinflated opinion of modern science. About 300,000 years longer. The reason you haven't died of a common cold is that someone up the family tree developed natural immunity and passed it on to you. And the inconveniences that we have all been forced to suffer over the past 18 months has actually woken a whole lot of people up to the fact that your heroes are the very ones who created this virus, patented it, and are making an absolute $$$ killing out of testing us and treating us. If you cant see the truth your PHD is worth nothing.

Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago

So wrong in so many ways

Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 5 months ago

Hooray !!!, someone who finally gets it. Couldn't have said it better myself. The problem is, most of the uneducated population (particularly on here) will err on the side of these pundidiots (not heard that one before, so apologies for plagiarizing)

longgone 2 years, 5 months ago

Well that didn't take very long. The PLP have been in office for less than two months and already the people want them gone. Bahamians will never learn!!

licks2 2 years, 5 months ago

Dr. D is just plain "dumb". . .he talks too dang much!! Touchy like Mitchell. . .dang dude!!

The only thing I see that is different than the EO is that the dictator is no longer the PM. . .but now is the MOH!!

Any er yinna know where to find Dr. D's "turn off" button? He needs to be "shut off".

happyfly 2 years, 5 months ago

So long as some big pharma-educated doctor on a mass media power trip gets to make rules for the business sector - this country's economy will be f......d. We just had a doctor shut the economy down for a year and a half and borrow an obscene bunch of money from international loan sharks to offset the fact that he ruined the economy of 350,000 people to try and save 0.017% of the population (most of which were over 70 with 2 or more comorbidities) Now the PLP is telling the next doctor he has complete control over the business community !? Good luck if somebody sneezes. Might as well close down your business right now

TalRussell 2 years, 5 months ago

Two Freeport Buddies, a Red and PLP were out in boat fishing when one of them collapsed and fell overboard.
The other Freeporter whips out his cell phone and calls his newly House-elected Red MP.
I think my PLP Voting Buddy has just fell overboard and he's looking all deaded. What should I do, he’s not breathing and his eyes are all glazed and looking everything for the worst like this and that.
His Red MP says, “Calm down. First, let’s make sure your Buddy is really deaded!" There’s that still of complete silence, followed by the loud sound of a gunshot.
Back on the phone, the Red Voting Freeporter, says, “OK, MP, now what, — Yes?

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