FNM Leader Michael Pintard and Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis.
OPM statement
IN a statement released on Friday evening, the Office of the Prime Minister said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis did not breach the 2021 Health Services Rules by leaving quarantine last month, saying the nation’s leader had not been ordered to sequester by a medical professional.
“As Christmas approached, Prime Minister Philip Davis was informed that he had been exposed to persons who had tested positive for COVID,” OPM’s statement said. “Between the 22nd and the 24th of December, he took three COVID tests—two PCR and one antigen—all of which were negative. Because the Prime Minister has had two vaccine shots and a booster shot, in addition to a prior infection, and because he had multiple negative test results, he was informed he posed little transmission risk.”
The statement continued: “At no time did the Prime Minister breach the regulations in the Health Services (COVID-19) (Prevention and Management of Community Spread) Rules, 2021. The Prime Minister was not ordered into quarantine by a medical officer, as described in Article 19 of (of the Health Services Rules).”
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard on Friday blasted Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis for breaking quarantine last month as the nation battled its fourth COVID-19 wave, labelling the offence as a “very serious one” and a “betrayal of his oath to uphold the law.”
Meanwhile, former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has called for the Prime Minister's resignation in view of the incident.
They were responding to the Prime Minister’s recent revelation that he broke quarantine to purchase Christmas gifts at former Taxicab Union President Leon Griffin’s store on Bay Street just moments before receiving news of his death.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while speaking at Mr Griffin’s memorial service held at the Progressive Liberal Party’s headquarters on Thursday.
Mr Giffin was found shot in the head outside his home by his wife, former Cabinet Minister Melanie Griffin on the night of December 23, 2021.
Speaking at Thursday’s memorial, Mr Davis told those attending: “To all of my parliamentary colleagues and persons present, I think I was the last person that Griffin spoke to before he was killed in person. After that conversation, I got a telephone conversation with Melanie.
“I was supposed to be in quarantine and Christmas was nearing as we know and I ordered all of my Christmas gifts and I needed to pay for them so, I called the store and I said, ‘Look, I’m in quarantine and I need to pay for the things, but I can’t be seen out.’
“They said ‘Well when we close the store, we’ll let you know when the store is empty and you can come by.’ So, they called the aide about 10 minutes after six to say, ‘All clear, come now.’”
Mr Davis said he met Mr Griffin shortly after entering the store and added that the two spoke briefly, reminiscing on the past.
“The store was empty. Only the workers were there and surprisingly ‘Griff’ was there. I didn’t expect to meet ‘Griff’ and we started to talk,” Mr Davis said.
“I said, ‘Griff, I ain’t see you for ‘lil while.’ He said, ‘Well, Brave, I’m here’ and he spoke about some of the Christmas season. I said ‘Griff, you remember years ago when you and I would’ve been by Bright Leaves talking.’ That’s where we hung out often when he was president of the taxi union. We’ll be just right around the corner. We’ll be there and have lunch and talk.
“I remember reminiscing about those days and then he started to express to me some things. What a wonderful conversation,” the Prime Minister added.
Mr Davis went into quarantine on December 22 after being exposed to the virus from a close relative at a family gathering. Among those close to him who tested positive was his wife, Ann Marie Davis.
However, after multiple tests, Mr Davis said he maintained a negative status.
In a statement released Friday, Mr Pintard criticised Mr Davis’ behaviour as “irresponsible” and said it speaks to him and his government’s “less than serious” attitude as it relates to enforcing current health rules.
He also said the Prime Minister’s actions could have resulted in serious consequences for the country.
Mr Pintard said: “Prime Minister Davis’ admission to breaking the COVID-19 quarantine law enacted by his own government is a betrayal of his oath to uphold the law. It is a very serious offence for the head of a government to breach laws that he has a legal obligation to uphold.
“This irresponsible behaviour of the Prime Minister undermines his and his government’s moral authority to compel the public to follow laws that he has willfully chosen to ignore. And as it is another example of the less than serious attitude of the government in promoting and upholding health protocols to contain and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the population.
“Sadly, his behaviour has been revealed only days after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a level four travel notice for The Bahamas advising Americans not to travel to The Bahamas because of the rampant spread of the disease. There must not be one law for the Bahamian citizen and another law for the leader. Law-abiding citizens may justifiably question whether this prime minister has the moral authority to lead the charge in the midst of COVID.”
According to the 2021 health services rules, people who break quarantine may be subjected to a fine of up to $1,000 or up to two years in prison.
Comments
ohdrap4 2 years, 11 months ago
Larry David could write an episode of Curb your enthusiasm from this article.
themessenger 2 years, 11 months ago
Looks, on the face of it, that Griff was maybe giving Brave some free tings. Maybe some other people was unhappy about Griff freeing up dey tings.
ohdrap4 2 years, 11 months ago
The 4 jabs affected his faculties .
moncurcool 2 years, 11 months ago
The spin doctors in the OP office are at work, when the PM from his own mouth said he was supposed to be in quarantine. If you supposed to be in quarantine then what you doing out? No amount of spin can change that.
But again, there are those who believe the rules are not made for them.
newcitizen 2 years, 11 months ago
Couldn't help but brag that he was the last person to speak to Griffin.
stillwaters 2 years, 11 months ago
I might watch too many crime dramas on Netflix but.....what usually happens to the last person seeing a homicide victim?
whogothere 2 years, 11 months ago
Boris like davis, Bahamas like uk…time to end the bs..masks off, normality awaits.. it’s done! Pintard don’t waste effort - it’s clear there is no danger other than life it self. Davis you revright the rules are crud - get rid of them
whogothere 2 years, 11 months ago
Ps. Davis has had bloody COVID and natural immunity has been from discussion - almost criminally so - ignoring it takes thousands care givers out the protected/have no fear bracket and into the quarantine corner…it’s ridiculous
John 2 years, 11 months ago
What’s worse than breaking quarantine? Bragging about it! And Brave Davis couldn’t resist the temptation. And it is alarming, if not shocking the number of people and families that are home either run quarantine and :or recovering from Covid-19. And even more concerning the number of people dying suddenly and no autopsy is done and because they were vaccinated, their deaths are recorded as natural. Is there something going on with vaccinated people, not only here in The Bahamad, but worldwide, that is being kept from the public?
stillwaters 2 years, 11 months ago
I still think the camera in the store recorded Brave and he had to get out ahead of the release of that information......which politician outs himself unless forced to do it?
rosiepi 2 years, 11 months ago
There's more to this tale than breaking quarantine!
bahamianson 2 years, 11 months ago
Other leaders around the world have resigned for the same. The plp's spin doctors are exactly that. They are just like CNN . Remember, Brave our present CAPTAIN , left us while we were dying from Covid, and went to the states to better facilities to fight covid. The captain left his people. He did not believe in PMH, IT'S DOCTORS OR THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. The same people whom foolishly voted for a.person whom deserted them.
TalRussell 2 years, 11 months ago
Two weeks back I warned be on watch out COVID spreading from humans to animals.
Authorities in Hong Kong have now swooped in on a pet shop, seizing a number of pet hamsters to be euthanised** following a Covid outbreak and everything else like this and that, ― Yes?
whogothere 2 years, 11 months ago
And now China has brought the anal swabs...to test for a cold...history will not remember this era or the people that panicked about covid well... poor winter olympic athletes..but they're tough - right? or left?
https://nypost.com/2022/01/21/china-bri…
ohdrap4 2 years, 11 months ago
Who put the pepper in the rtpcr?
SP 2 years, 11 months ago
While we stand around talking bullshyt about Brave, Griff, and ting, has anyone else noticed that Bahamians cannot get served at NIB offices because they are buried with Haitians, Bahamians cannot get into the hospital because they too are buried with Haitians, and Bahamians cannot find jobs because Haitians have hogged up all the blue-collar jobs as well!
Where are the useless, good-for-nothing politicians who are supposedly charged with "protecting our sovereignty"?
John 2 years, 11 months ago
Haitians? What about Chines and Mexicans and Indians? Who owns all the liquor stores/Chinese Restaurants: Chinese Pharmacy:clothing stores that seem to be popping open every five minutes? How are Chinese who can’t even speak a lick of English getting permits to work in them. The Mexicans have the construction and air conditioning fields conquered. Indians in the jewelry business and even night clubs are operated by foreigners. The only jobs Bahamians can get is unemployment so stop lie in on the Haitians. Now Abaco is a different story.
themessenger 2 years, 11 months ago
@john, you and SP still don’t get it. The reason the Haitians, Mexicans, Chinese, Indians dem get to “hog up all the work “ is because they’re willing to do something Bahamians are not, WORK!!!
SP 2 years, 11 months ago
@ John, I specifically identified NIB, health care, and blue-collar jobs being overwhelmed by Haitians. Unquestionably, there is an unacceptable number of Haitians, Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Africans, and others living off the fat of the land created by Bahamians. The word on the street is these people all have access to unlimited amounts of "black money" derived from underground economic activity here and abroad which they invest here.
Alternatively, the vast majority of Bahamians are unable to obtain credit for business investments except for luxury cars and other stupid reasons from local banks.
@ the messenger, for so-called intelligent, educated people, middle to upper-class Bahamians like yourself make a lot very idiotic, unreasoned, selfish, statements. We all know Haitians, Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Africans, Asians, Latinos, and anyone else from economically depressed countries have better work ethics than Bahamians, and for good reason.
These people are from countries where competition is fierce, making a living is close to impossible, and earning hard currency is unheard of! They have suffered in their respective home countries with little or nothing for DECADES. Working in the Bahamas and earning hard currency at western rates is the best thing to ever happen for them running a close second only to going to heaven!
No Bahamian, American, Canadian, or anyone from a "rich" country can be expected to have the same work ethic as people who only know deprivation, need, and want. How Haitians, Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Africans, Asians, Latinos view and value $1.00 and what they are gladly willing to do for that dollar is incomprehensible to an individual from a rich country.
Bringing in Haitians, Mexicans, Chinese, Indians, Africans, Asians, and Latinos, to replace the Bahamian workforce is non-sensical, irrational, unsustainable, and will continue to contribute to high crime as Bahamians are forced to criminal activity for survival.
The state of our country is undeniable proof that politicians' guiding us speedily down a dangerous path with the wrong solutions.
M0J0 2 years, 11 months ago
Truth of the matter is no one really quarantines, just be safe.
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