PM: Two new cases of COVID-19, alphabetical shopping schedule temporarily suspended

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaks on Monday.

As of Monday, April 13, 2020

IN his national address on Monday night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that there are two new cases of COVID-19 in the country. The total number of cases now stands at 49.

Dr Minnis also said “we are making progress” with regards to the virus.

“Physical distancing measures, curfews and lockdowns are having an effect but we still have a long way to go,” he said. “We must and we will remain vigilant.”

The Prime Minister said the food shopping alphabetical schedule will be temporarily suspended from Tuesday until Friday. Stores will be open from 6am till 7pm with 6am-8am for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Food stores will operate on Saturday from 6am-6pm for essential workers only. 6am-noon will be for health professionals, police and the Defence Force, staff from clearing banks and wholesale distributors. Noon-6pm will be for remaining essential workers as identified previously.

Pharmacies will be open on Saturdays until 3pm for essential workers only.

Other key points:

• The government will appoint a food security task force to ensure every Bahamian who needs food is provided with adequate food. The task force will also make recommendations to increase food production in The Bahamas.

• A rental assistance programme is being reviewed by Cabinet which will be announced when finalised. The Prime Minister says he knows many Bahamians are concerned about their finances and what the future holds.

• COVID-19 testing will be expanded this week, which will lead to more cases.

RealTalk 4 years ago

Stay safe Bahamas!

ThisIsOurs 4 years ago

You buy yourself some time. I guess. Maybe some people who didn't know they was infected call in to the clinic. But it's all futile without testing. In fairness to him he did say they'd begin a program of wider testing. It would have been good if they could have completed food store, bank, water depot and money transfer employees this past week. Thats where most persons will have contact.

At least they did away with the alphabetical shopping system. On the right track I think. Test the food store employees once per week.

ThisIsOurs 4 years ago

Also in reference to that food security thing and the claim that egg prices have skyrocketed up the supply chain. Someone showed me prices in store in the US with eggs under $1. Then there's a story running on msnbc about farmers dumping excess eggs. If they have excess can we get them more cheaply than from current suppliers?

birdiestrachan 4 years ago

Why would he bring back the alphabetical system for shopping. when every body but him knows it does not work.

It seems as if he has absolutely nothing to say, but he needed to be on TV.

The line I am a Doctor if I am needed.. Doc just go ahead jump into the thick of this virus you and Dr. Sands. But no one should hold their breath,

ThisIsOurs 4 years ago

"It seems as if he has absolutely nothing to say, but he needed to be on TV."

I must admit I did start to wonder when he ran about if I am needed etc...I don't know what the call for doctors was about. No ones indicated that the 8 cases currently in hospital have overwhelmed the system.

But and nevertheless, high marks for not springing any surprises.

Topdude 4 years ago

This is what leaders do, what leadership looks like and what we need from our Prime Minister at this time who is leading based on data, science, compassion and concern for all Bahamians.

This was not evident whatsoever and nowhere under the PLP. Instead we had chicanery and dishonesty.

When the history of our nation is written, Dr. Minnis will be exalted. Thanks very much for guiding us during these troubled times.

God Bless you always.

ohdrap4 4 years ago

Topdude, how much they pay for this job of yours? I write well, lots of big words, and have been laid off. Any openings?

ThisIsOurs 4 years ago

lol leading on data and science

Topdude 4 years ago

Ask Well Mudda Sick. He needs more Ghost writers.

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years ago

Your Minnis campaign mission is always much too transparent. LMAO

moncurcool 4 years ago

If what the Prime Minister is doing is what leadership looks like we have a serious problem then. Let's not loose it. Lately he is starting to do better. But don't use it as an example of leadership. It is not.

birdiestrachan 4 years ago

URBANE Renewal?? forget that.. Appoint a Task force. After all President Trump has one and so should PM Minnis

Like a deer caught in the head light. The man does not have one single visionary Idea.

With out vision the people will perish.

Pay attention . less and less money will be in circulation very soon..

moncurcool 4 years ago

Glad don't have Christie and definitely would not want Davis now!

Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years ago

Fully agree with you on Davis, but Minnis is so bad I just don't know if Christie could possibly be any worse.

The_Oracle 4 years ago

A committee on food security can only do what all other Efforts and attempts to advise over the decades have done: High costs of and shortage of willing labor and import of supplies and materials make it costly, importing finished product is and will always be cheaper.

Dawes 4 years ago

I actually thought this was a good speech. Initially i was worried based on the other speeches when some major changes have occurred in the space of hours. But this time he realized the mistakes previously made and didn't do too many changes. Hopefully by May 4th we can start re-opening the country. Though until tourists come back we will still be in major problems. Government should consider a major infrastructure investment, if only to get people working during this time.

Clamshell 4 years ago

I saw a New York TImes story this morning that said a poll taken in the U.S. reported that 2/3 of the respondents said they would be hesitant to take an airline flight until a vaccine was available for Covid-19. As for cruise ships? Forget it, they’re now viewed as floating death traps.

As a vaccine likely is more than a year away, the Bahamas must prepare for the awful reality that it will lose next year’s tourist season as well as this year’s.

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