The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Some Family Island resorts yesterday called for the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions while backing the Government’s relaxation of the mask mandate within hotels.

Carl Rolle, manager of Rollez Villas Beach Resort in Cat Island, told Tribune Business he supported the reduction in mask protocols as well as the decision to cut social distancing requirements by 50 percent, cutting them from six feet to three feet.

“If they are lowering the distancing requirement then they must have some justification for it. More than 90 percent of my staff have taken their second COVID-19 vaccination, so we are fully boosted,” Mr Rolle added. “But we are still going to use the social distancing, and we will try to protect ourselves against the [virus] coming to the island. We must protect ourselves.

“I don’t think this will have any effect on us other than in a positive way. They must have some scientific information. But what they should do now is remove the rapid antigen test from travelling through the Family Islands. If they remove that, that would be the most important thing for us.”

Mr Rolle spoke out after the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in a statement, confirmed the mask mandate easing for resort properties and their guests. “A person is not required to wear a face mask while in a lobby, corridor, or casino of a hotel or while in an outdoor setting where there is at least three feet of space between persons who are not of the same household,” it said.

And the Ministry of Health and Wellness also cut social distancing requirements inside businesses by 50 percent - from six feet to three feet. “Business establishments shall ensure that all customers and staff maintain physical distancing between themselves and others of not less than three feet while inside or awaiting entry outside the business,” it said.

“Businesses shall determine the number of persons permitted entry into the business at any one time based on one person for every 30 square feet of floor space which is unoccupied by furnishings, fixtures or machinery and is accessible to the public.

“Businesses must have distance markers three feet apart, indicating where each customer is to stand on a line awaiting entry or check out...... All restaurants shall ensure that seating is arranged so that there is the spacing of at least three feet between each dining party.”

Cheryl Bastian, owner/operator of Swain’s Cay Lodge in Andros, said of the easing: “I just love it. This will open up a gateway for us. Given that everyone’s count is going down with this pandemic, we are not in the extreme danger that we were in a year ago.”

Just four fresh COVID-19 cases, all on New Providence, were recorded on Friday. Active cases total 101, with some 11 persons in hospital. Two of these are in intensive care.

Ms Bastian added of the mask ease: “This is not being irresponsible. I just travelled to the US to about four cities, and the tourists weren’t wearing any masks. I didn’t put one on either. I think it’s getting better and it is not an extreme risk for The Bahamas.

“The death rate, and the number of persons dying from COVID-19, is very low. Even our hospitals are doing fine now. This thing seems to be passing, and this time I hope for good. We hope that with herd immunity we will be okay.”

Jeff Birch, owner/operator of the Small Hope Bay Lodge in Fresh Creek, Andros, said of the mask relaxation: “I think it’s very appropriate. I think that hotels, 99 to 100 percent of our visitors now, are double vaccinated and have the booster. And, believe it or not, a lot of them have contracted and had no problem whatsoever with getting over the COVID-19 Omicron.

“Prior to even thinking about coming to The Bahamas, all of our clients, I think, who come to the tourism destinations are all very sensitive to what has transpired. So they’re all individually very careful. So I think it’s appropriate. I think it’s timely. And I think it’s going to make a big difference to people’s Family Island experience.”

Responding to the change in social distancing , Mr Birch added: “Here’s what happened. I think when it was six feet, and somebody decided that they wanted to get up in your face, they got up in your face anyway. And at three feet, if they want to get up in your face, they’re going to get up in your face.

“I think three feet is very appropriate because it’s a distance that makes practical sense when it comes to dining and any sort of activities that are being offered, etc., and given the way that the virus is being mitigated. This is very appropriate.”