Local News

Cuban officials urge tourists to leave the island on or before Tuesday

CUBA announced on Friday that no tourist arrivals will be permitted in the country as of Tuesday.

No new trials

ALL new trials have been suspended as the judiciary expands its coronavirus mitigation protocols. Members of the jury pool for each criminal court will be contacted by the respective bailiff to inform them when to return to court.

Plane sent to Jamaica to bring back 61 students

THE government chartered a plane to Jamaica on Saturday for Bahamian students studying in the region, demanding that the 61 pupils self-quarantine in their homes upon arrival, according to Education Minister Jeff Lloyd.

Media will be free to carry out its work

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday stressed the emergency orders he put in place last week allows for the free movement of the media. He released a statement after a police officer denied a local media company access to the streets of New Providence on Saturday during curfew hours.

UDPATED: Body found in shallow grave

THE body of a man was found Monday afternoon in a shallow grave behind his home in Garden Hills.

Govt may expand temporary jobless benefit scheme

MINISTER of Public Service and National Insurance Board Brensil Rolle suggested the government could expand its temporary unemployment benefit assistance to include people not in the tourism industry who have been affected by actions taken to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

Churches happy they got their message across

CHURCHES across the country used online platforms to conduct Sunday services for their members yesterday after agreeing last week to suspend mass gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

No new cases but there may be a surge

THE number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas remained at four over the weekend, but health officials warned against a false sense of security as they brace for a surge in numbers.

RBC to temporarily close Bay Street, Mackey Street branches

Royal Bank of Canada has announced the temporary closure of two of its branches as a result of measures to tackle the coronavirus.

Virus takes jobless to 30% as major hotels shut down

THE country’s major hotels are shutting down because of the coronavirus crisis and temporarily laying off staff, with Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar saying the unemployment rate is now probably above 30 percent and expected to grow.

Farewell to the Sun King, Sol Kerzner

FAMILY, friends and political figures paid tribute this weekend to hotel tycoon and Atlantis developer Sir Sol Kerzner, who died on Saturday at the age of 84.

The four confirmed COVID-19 cases came from 117 tests

The four positive cases of COVID-19 in the Bahamas were from a total of 117 tests, Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said on Sunday.

Three escape injury after plane crashes off Eleuthera

Police are investigating after a plane crashed in waters off Eleuthera Island on Saturday afternoon. There were no injuries.

VIDEO: On the streets with the police on night one of the curfew

THE normally busy streets of Nassau were eerily silent Friday night after a national curfew officially came into effect in an effort to fight the COVID-19 threat.

Baha Mar to close on March 25 until further notice – temporary layoffs for nonessential staff

Baha Mar will close until further notice starting March 25 at 3pm, with a temporary layoff of all nonessential staff.

The Tribune