Nassau, Bahamas July 28, 2020 (Eye WitnessNews): The Bahamas government will impose an additional two weekend lockdowns to mitigate the rise in COVID-19 cases.
The Office of the prime minister in a statement issued on Tuesday underscored these measures are being implemented to protect the lives and health of Bahamians and residents.
The government will undertake a careful review of the health data after these two lockdown periods, according to the statement.
It stated the decision was made after consultation with local health officials and a review of the response of other jurisdictions due to the current global rise in cases.
The lockdown this coming holiday weekend begins at 7 pm on Friday, July 31 to 5am on Tuesday, August 4 for all islands of The Bahamas, excluding Grand Bahama.
Grand Bahama is under a complete lockdown until August 7.
Food stores, gas stations, pharmacies and water depots will be permitted to operate on Saturday (August 1) for the general public from 7am to 6pm.
According to the statement, commercial and social activity may resume as outlined in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 3) Order, 2020 on Tuesday, August 4 at 5 am.
The same restrictions will apply the following weekend lockdown on August 7 to August 10.