Nassau, BAHAMAS- Effective immediately, all residents of The Bahamas must wear masks covering their nose and mouth when they leave home.
Under the April 8 order from Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, grocery stores and other essential businesses can deny entry to people not wearing masks.
The move is another measure to slow the community spread of the highly contagious coronavirus, as the number of local cases continue to surge.
As of Wednesday, April 8, there were 40 known cases of COVID-19, including seven deaths.
The order does not say what type of mask should be worn or the penalty for failing to wear one.
However, with a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers, Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands has said that medical grade masks should be reserved for the professionals.
At a press conference yesterday, Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands suggested that regular citizens wear cloth masks.
He explained, “By wearing masks we limit the escape of particles when we speak, or when we breathe, and this will reduce the potential for the virus to spread.”
Country now under lockdown
Only essential workers are allowed on the streets during a lockdown that came into effect at 9pm Wednesday and ends at 5am Tuesday, April 14.
Dr. Sands said the purpose of the lockdown is to force physical distancing – one of the ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
He said, Countries with the worst outbreaks have had to shift to lockdowns as a means to bluntly reduce the spread. The situation is that grave.”
The country had its first lockdown from April 3 through 6.
Before the lockdown, the country had been under a 24-hour curfew since March 24.
Residents were supposed to be confined to their homes unless they were carrying out essential business.
People who fail to adhere to the curfew and lockdown face maximum prison sentences of 18 months and fines up to $10,000.
