Another Bahamas COVID Update

I'm here and trying to figure it all out after yesterday's announcement.
Lock down this weekend at night, and inter island travel suspending on Tuesday at 7pm
I think we are done for now.

Correct. We re anchored off blackpoint exumas. Lockdown till Monday morning except grocery stores GB is also under a complete lock down for another week or so.

We have guests flying tomorrow morning out of Staniel on Staniel Air... not sure if it will happen.

Yes they are. At least before the latest lockdown was announced.

So far things are normal for boats. Travel into the Bahamas by private boat, private and charter plane is allowed as long as all have a test and have received a health visa

Yes they have imposed a lockdown this week end but it really has no impact for boats as long as you don’t go into a settlement. Hotels (and marinas are considered hotels if you are docked) are open.

personally I would avoid BIM as they have a couple of recent cases and i wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t impose a lock down there on Monday. Clear at Chub instead. Pulling back into Staniel now, it s packed

This is probably the most detailed and accurate summary

https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/


Personally I would avoid Nassau at all costs. Clear in Chub and go straight to the Exumas which are not affected by most of the issues, as long as you go into any settlement.

Another update from the ABM It was in their FB Page, not on their site yet

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The Government of The Bahamas has announced a number of additional precautionary steps intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to its islands. The Association of Bahamas Marinas is providing the following information for clarification and to assist in accessing the country for pleasure boating and cruising.

Q: Will travel between the various islands be possible?
A: At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday (7/28) inter-island travel will be discontinued. Between now and then, anyone arriving at an Out Island from New Providence (Nassau) and other islands where COVID-19 is present, will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. For this reason, you are advised to be guided by lists of affected islands posted by the Ministry of Health at https://covid19.gov.bs/

Boaters who enter after 7:00pm Tuesday, the port of entry is where you stay. If you are already here, stay in place. If you are planning on sailing home, get fuel, water, food full by Tuesday night, then head out via the shortest safest route.
The emergency regulations require anyone travelling from a Bahamian island for which there is an impending lockdown order to “undergo, at their own expense, a 14-day quarantine in a government facility upon arriving at their destination island within The Bahamas, to be followed by an RT PCR COVID-19 molecular test at the end of the quarantine period.” For this reason yacht captains a boaters are strongly advised to stay abreast of developments at https://covid19.gov.bs/.

Q: Are customs open this weekend for arrivals and departures?
A: Yes.

Q: Can boats travel to the islands during lockdown weekends, including this weekend until Monday July 27 at 5:00 am.
A: Boats can travel from island to island if they do not get off vessel at destination until Tuesday July 28 at 7:00pm.

Q: Can boaters use their tenders or go out sailing this weekend / during lockdowns?
A: Yes. The lockdown does not affect movement on the water.

Q: What about movement of people?
A: In these circumstances, its best to plan to enjoy cruising The Bahamas without much, if any time ashore. On Monday 27 July a country-wide curfew between 7:00pm and 5:00am will be in effect. It would be best to spend those hours aboard your vessel. However, under no circumstances may leave their marina premises after 7:00pm. On the hotel’s or marina’s premises masks must be worn.

Q: What is situation with charter flights? Can people fly out this weekend? Going forward will people flying in on private have to quarantine?
A: Newly imposed regulations requiring passengers on commercial flights to undergo 14 days of quarantine do not apply to passengers on private yachts and flights. Such passengers, including those on charters by air or sea are required to have evidence of a negative RT PCR COVID-19 molecular test dated no longer than seven days before arrival.

Q: Will it be possible to dine out?
A: As of Monday (7/27) all restaurants will be closed for on-site dining, but take-away and delivery will still be allowed (check with individual restaurants).

Q: Will we be able to get provisions?
A: Between the hours of 5:00am and 7:00pm marinas will be able to arrange for provisions to be brought to dockside from local supply sources. Each marina will be able to provide lists and contact information.

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Correction. The ABM made a mistake in the bow ve and the COVID-19 test needs to be TEN days old or less not 7

Well with new cases popping up in Great exuma, Bakers bay (well... not Bahamians but Mexican construction workers... ) the party will be over soon. So I guess the thousands of dollars we spend every week here will head back to Miami.

Interesting anecdote... a few days ago we were talking to one of the crew here at SCYC who had been sick as a dog back in January (I hope the NY PC Cop doesn’t think this is a racist dog whistle thing ...) with that typical Bahamian candor he said .... “mon... I duhnno why but back in December we saw dem Chinese tourists come in wearing masks on the tours from Nassau and we all wondered why. Now we know. “