The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is not surprised by recent reports of a third COVID-19 wave likely to impact The Bahamas. The Minnis administration has failed to implement the best COVID-19 travel strategy to keep the average Bahamian safe and kick start our tourism economy. This is despite the DNA leadership presenting them with a comprehensive COVID-19 plan to effectively mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and fund domestic testing and tracing efforts.

Then the Minister of Tourism promised a testing on arrival strategy, which was later retracted the day before the second re-opening. The second re-opening strategy adopted by the Minnis administration has proven even more ineffective as thousands of visitors were not taking the fifth day test.

Private sector stakeholders like hotels intervened by offering complimentary testing for guests, and medical professionals now charge the average citizen a pretty penny for a COVID-19 test in order to (inter-island) travel. This system must be reviewed and uprooted as it has led to a burden on our economic development. In the end, the old and outdated laissez-faire approach has led to the rich becoming richer and the average Bahamian losing out on a sense of security and certainty.