The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been made aware of a 19 July report published on the VI Free Press website, and also circulating on social media. The article titled “Grand Bahamas Nation Tells United States that all of its Citizens Have 24 Hours to Leave: COVID-19 Update” is replete with inaccuracies.

The article provides inaccurate citations, misrepresenting what was said by the Prime Minister in his 19 July National Address, where he announced a number of measures to address new COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas.

The Prime Minister did not, at any point during his National Address, make disparaging comments about the United States of America, neither were Americans asked to leave The Bahamas as the report suggests in its headline.

The Prime Minister announced that, "International commercial flights and commercial vessels carrying passengers will not be permitted to enter our borders, except for commercial flights from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. This will come into effect as of Wednesday the 22nd of July 2020 at midnight. Bahamasair will cease outgoing flights to the United States of America, effective immediately."

The Prime Minister noted in his address that private aviation, pleasure craft and yachts from all countries, which includes the United States, may continue to enter The Bahamas. 

The complete and accurate address can be found on the website www.opm.gov.bs. 

The Bahamas and the United States of America enjoy excellent relations and we look forward to the resumption of commercial flights and vessels between our two countries.