A line with social distancing measures at the Road Traffic Department in Grand Bahama. Road Traffic reopened on Monday in Freeport, processing over 200 applicants daily. The office is open from 9am to 12noon.
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
KWASI Thompson, State Minister for Grand Bahama, says the lockdowns are having a positive effect in Grand Bahama where the number of COVID cases has not exceeded seven.
“We are pleased that we have not seen an increase in the numbers in Grand Bahama. To date, our numbers remain at seven, with two recovered, two deceased, and one remains hospitalised,” he reported this week at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport.
“Now is not the time to be complacent or let our guard down. We must remain focused on battling this virus by staying home and complying with social distancing,” he said.
Minister Thompson is urging residents to adhere to the curfew and lockdowns, and social distancing measures put in place to curtail the spread of the virus.
He noted that “we still have far too many people on the roads up and about during the 24 hour lockdown. The public is reminded to remain home unless you are an essential worker or visiting a place that has been exempted”.
In terms of social distance measures, Mr Thompson noted that some stores are not complying.
“We are also advised that some stores in Grand Bahama are not complying with social distancing inside their stores and outside the stores. In addition, some residents are entering stores without masks.
“I want to strongly remind store owners to put in place measures that will ensure social distancing inside and outside, and ensure that no one is allowed to enter your establishment unless wearing a mask.”
He stated that the government remains focused on ensuring adequate facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 cases are available on the island.
In addition to existing modules at the Rand Hospital and the Cancer Association Building, which is being prepared to receive patients, Mr Thompson said a new isolation facility is also being completed at the Rand Hospital.
Comments
The_Oracle 4 years, 6 months ago
Pushing it to claim lockdowns have this contained. I'd say people realize the lack of Medical facilities and testing in G.B. makes it prudent to behave and follow social distancing rules. Seems Nassau has an issue with following instructions. Aside the Government created chaos at the food stores with the on again/off again surprise lockdowns vs. Curfews it hasn't been too bad, aside the economic suicide. Kinda glad they stopped writing amendments to the amendments of amended orders, even though they make all of this lawful. Supposedly. This situation needs a widening of viewpoint. Tunnel vision is showing.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 6 months ago
And of course the many pre-mature deaths for years to come as a result of the economic suicide will not be attributed to the Red China Virus. This also has been and will continue to be the case as regards the economic hardship placed on many of our people by our government's inadequate response to their needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Many many people are going to be living a terrible existence and likely dying pre-maturely in the coming years.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 6 months ago
Agreed.
They're coming to alot of conclusions based on faulty assumptions.
The obvious difference between Nassau, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands is density. The Out Islands have a natural Social Distancing construct. It's even more pronounced in Grand Bahama because the land mass is greater. Added to that the total population sizes are smaller. If the global percentages bear out and everybody gets it but below 20% get seriously ill and .1% die the Out Island by the numbers will still look better.
This thing is so hard to fight because there are so many variables involved, but there's this simplification going on that if we keep people off the road we've won. No you've slowed it down, which is great,but how sustainable is that if you don't use the time to introduce another tool (testing/removal of infdcted) into the arsenal? Added to that you're not testing the population so you really don't know how many are infected.
The media need to start looking at these things critically because the longer misinformation is reprinted as fact the more likely it is that even more draconian measures get put on us.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 6 months ago
I was thinking that one National Security policy might be that property sizes going forward shouldn't be below a certain sq footage, basically introducing planned social distancing. With the distance between physical structures increasing as well. I dont know if that's possible but if communicable diseases are a part of our future introducing distancing into our design may be a wise thing to do.
The_Oracle 4 years, 6 months ago
Yep Thisisours, and at the cost of fiscal/national annihilation.
sheeprunner12 4 years, 6 months ago
Whose fault is it that over 90% of our population live on less than 200 square miles of our country??? ……… How much planning is that?????
That is 200 out of 5,000 square miles. Think about that, you urban mules.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 6 months ago
I love Grand Bahama!
DEDDIE 4 years, 6 months ago
The population density that exist in New Providence is even worst than what is stated. If you draw a circle with the center been East street and Robinson with a radius of three miles in any direction that's where 75% of the population of the Bahamas lives. The eastern and the western end of New Providence has a reasonable amount of persons per square mile.
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