The Bahamas bans incoming flights during pandemic

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, a physician, signed the order closing all airports including private airports and FBOs “to incoming international flights carrying any visitor.” The decree, which also applies to seaports and private boating, prohibits visitors from disembarking for any reason including transiting through the Bahamas.

The restrictions—imposed “for the purposes of preventing, controlling and suppressing the spread of COVID-19”—do not apply to outgoing flights, cargo flights, commercial courier flights, emergency medical flights, or emergency flights approved by Bahamian aviation authorities.

Other provisions of the order include a 24-hour curfew and a requirement for businesses to operate only with employees working remotely from home “utilizing virtual means,” unless designated as essential workers. The order specifies operating hours for certain businesses including grocery stores, medical facilities, pharmacies, and gas stations. A shelter-in-place provision generally confines people to their residences, including yard space.

Five cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed in the Bahamas as of March 25, and officials were bracing for a surge, according to The Nassau Guardian newspaper.