The Bahamas banned international flights from the US and other affected countries in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus

07/21/2020 USA


(CNN) – The Bahamas government is banning travelers from the US and other countries where coronavirus cases are emerging in an effort to prevent further spread of the virus in the Caribbean nation.

All international commercial flights are prohibited from entering the Bahamas, as of Wednesday, July 22. The only exemptions are negative visitors from the UK, the European Union and Canada, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a nationally televised speech on Sunday.

“Our current situation demands decisive action if we want to avoid being invaded and defeated by this virus,” Minnis said in his speech, noting that the Bahamas has confirmed 15 new cases for a total of 153 cases. 49 of the cases had been identified since the Bahamas reopened its borders on July 1.

Nor will the entry of maritime vessels carrying commercial passengers be allowed. However, private international flights, charters and yachts from all countries will be allowed.

Bahamasair, the national airline, will end flights to the US immediately and several beaches and parks have been closed until further notice, according to Minnis.

The Bahamas’ move to ban most international travelers, especially Americans, is important as 50% of the nation’s $ 5.7 billion gross domestic product (GDP) comes from tourism alone, according to the Investment Authority. Bahamas, with the majority of the 5.5 million tourists. who visit the Bahamas each year from the United States.
But with the US beating its own daily record of new coronavirus cases at least nine times in a month, Minnis stood firm by saying the Bahamas should focus on “saving lives and limiting the spread of the virus.”

“The better we are at this, the more our economy can open up and people can earn a living,” he said.

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