DOMESTIC TRAVEL TO COMMENCE BUSINESS.
MICAL, Bahamas - As Inter-Island travel begins for the southern family Islands. Many Bahamians are preparing to return to the place they call home. After many weeks of being locked out due to a travel ban imposed following "A State of Public Emergency" declared on March 18, by Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis in Parliament, lead to the tabling and passing of the"Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Order".
Originally, the reopening of various Family Islands was set to begin in Phase 2, according to the Prime Minister; his government has decided to gradually reopen the Family Islands by zone. Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay (MICAL) resumed normal commercial activity along with Ragged Island, and Rum Cay on May 4.
Today the Ministry of Health has released important information about the Inter-Island Travel Approval Process as communicated by the Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis during his national address on May 17. The Prime Minister stated that the process will begin on Wednesday May 20th, with each person required to be examined by a doctor and given a travel card if approved. He noted that nearly every doctor in the private sector has committed to assist with risk assessments.
“Individuals must also submit to an evaluation by a Ministry of Health-authorized physician, in the public or private sector,” he said. “This evaluation will include a risk assessment via a questionnaire to determine the individual’s level of risk for COVID-19 infection, plus or minus a physical exam to determine the presence of any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.”
Prime Minister Minnis said: “If deemed low risk and the physical exam does not reveal any symptoms, it is expected that the person will be issued a COVID-19 Authorization Travel Card that will allow travel to the Family Island. “If the individual is deemed a higher risk or has symptoms that may be consistent with COVID-19, the individual will be referred for testing to definitively determine their COVID- 19 status.
In the first phase, residents of Family Islands who have been stuck in the capital will be allowed to return home. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that applicants must complete all the steps outlined in the process and that the process has an estimated completion time frame of five (5) working days. However, applications submitted via hard-copy to the Ministry of Health will take longer.
Persons are encourage to refrain from making travel arrangements until they have received an official approval letter/travel card from the Ministry of Health. Non-approved applicants will be notified and special requests will be received on a case-by-case basis.
Individuals can download the Ministry of Health Application to Travel and consent forms from covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs. or www.bahamas.gov.bs/health websites and submit the completed forms to covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs. Hard copies can be collected from the security booth at the Ministry of Health and must be returned to the Ministry of Health.
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