The Bahamas Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) announced that the Cabinet has approved its recommendation for the introduction of The Bahamas Extended Stay Visa Programme for persons wishing to work or study from The Bahamas for a year.

“The Extended Stay Visa Programme is a remodelling of the current annual residence regime, to expand its qualifying criteria and to make it easier and faster for persons to get consideration and approval”, noted Kenwood Kerr, co-chair of the ERC.

Extended Stay Visa Programme

Under the revamped programme, persons from abroad will be able to apply for a visa online and be granted permission to live in The Bahamas for remote work or study purposes for one year. Persons will not be able to be engaged in work locally while resident in The Bahamas.

The initiative will be marketed to small firms who may want to shift operations for the full year. It will also target university students – a segment not highlighted in other similar initiatives. Successful applicants will have to demonstrate financial means to support themselves while in The Bahamas.

In response to COVID-19, ERC saw an opportunity to re-model the current visa programme. The expansion mainly targets to accommodate university students whose schools will be offering remote learning for the upcoming academic year.

Programme details are being finalized as the ERC works hand in hand with key stakeholders and public agencies to ensure a seamless and rapid response application process.

“If we get to 1,000 successful applicants and they spend $30,000 on average within the economy on rent, food, and entertainment, that is equal to a much needed $30 million injection into the economy. Moreover, our marketing will showcase our Family Islands where the potential impact on those smaller island economies will be even more pronounced,” said Kenwood Kerr.

The ERC continues its work toward its planned September completion of its full set of recommendations.

Marlon Johnson, co-chair of the ERC, said that the first set of recommendations were relayed by Prime Minister during the budget exercise in June in the hopes to significantly contribute to the Government’s plans for robust and sustainable economic growth.

“It will also submit an interim report by the Orange Economy Subcommittee, with recommendations on how the Government can boost the viability of the creative and cultural arts as a direct contributor to the economy,” added Johnson.

ERC expects the program launch when commercial air traffic resumes.

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As the regional reference laboratory, the CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) continues to conduct tests for suspected COVID-19 cases for 18 of its 26 Member States. Throughout the pandemic period, CARPHA has been guiding laboratory action through science-based testing protocols based on the latest recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 

CARPHA pledged to deliver results to the Chief Medical Officers within 24-48 hours of receipt of the specimens in February when testing commenced. To date, the number of samples with more than a 48 hour from reception at CARPHA and pending remain at zero.  As of Tuesday, 11^th August 2020 the number of samples tested totalled 13,815.   None of the results of these samples have been delivered past 48 hours after receipt of the samples. 

Backlogs and prolonged wait times can complicate efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.  A delay in test results can mean a setback for public health authorities to decide on a course of action – to implement contact tracing, provide appropriate care and guidance, or to inform someone that they have not contracted the virus. CARPHA is determined not to delay the time it takes for people to get their results, and consequently, the CMML does not retain possession of backlogs in its facilities.

“CARPHA continues to adhere to good laboratory practices that produce accurate results. Our testing strategies and cadre of well-trained staff work to ensure that there is no backlog for tests or pending results.  We know that timely reporting of laboratory results is important as it can make a difference to the Member States,” said Dr Gabriel M. Gonzalez-Escobar, Head of Laboratory Services and Networks at CARPHA.    

Dr Escobar further stated “The CMML remains committed to delivering prompt COVID-19 results to the Region.  In the case of the COVID-19 laboratory emergency response, once a sample is received from a designated national public health laboratory, we issue the result within 24-48 hours.”

In June 2020, the CMML received a total of 3,250 samples, representing an average of more than 150 samples per business day.  This represented the largest number of samples processed, and a notable achievement in the history of the organisation.

CARPHA’s COVID-19 response, particularly in the area of diagnostic testing, is currently being supported by its International Development Partners (IDPs) including the European Union (EU), World Bank (WB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

For more information about CARPHA’s response to COVID-19: https://www.carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health/Novel-Coronavirus

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