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OPINION
It is unfair to allow tourists to visit the beach, if Bahamians are being instructed that beaches and parks are closed. For me, it comes down to a fundamental question: who is more important?
It is unfair to allow tourists to visit the beach, if Bahamians are being instructed that beaches and parks are closed. For me, it comes down to a fundamental question: who is more important?
Is it visitors, or is it the country's citizens and residents? I say that our citizens and residents are infinitely more important. For starters, the decision to allow hotels to apply for exemptions from beach closures is, in my view, the combination of two problematic ideas:
1) that the wants and needs of tourists outweigh those of Bahamians and 2) that closing beaches and parks is necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The first idea is simple. It is a principled stance that we should never waver from.
The first idea is simple. It is a principled stance that we should never waver from.
Bahamians being banned from beaches, while others can enjoy the amenity, reminds me of the preposterous and discriminatory rule that prevents Bahamians from gambling in casinos. It is patently unfair and that rule should have been changed years ago.
Likewise, visitors being allowed to bypass restrictions is unfair to Bahamians who have had to follow strict rules for nearly 9 months. Visitors aren't more important than ordinary Bahamians. Case in point: how do you think the economy has stayed afloat the last 8 months?
Bahamians deserve a lot more credit, and even if we are desperate, we ought not show it. Tourism Minister Dionisio D'Aguilar acknowledged that some would view the beach exemption decision as discriminatory. He says "the need to get Bahamians back to work outweighs that issue".
I agree that Bahamians need to get back to work. I don't agree that tourists should get to play by a different set of rules though. If it is good for the goose, it is good for the gander. D'Aguilar also stressed the importance of the beach and excursions to visitors.
News Flash: Bahamians like the beach too. That takes us to the second idea, which is that beach and park closures have been an unnecessary punishment for Bahamians. It is well established that coronavirus transmission is far lower in outdoor settings.
It is also known that individuals in poor health are more susceptible to the virus' dangerous effects. Wouldn't keeping large open spaces accessible make sense, perhaps with limits on the size of gatherings allowed?
In the UK's latest lockdown measures (since we've been citing Europe so much lately) parks are open and you can meet one person from outside your home. That's a tough rule, but it gives much more consideration to people's practical needs.
Bahamians need exercise, and many need help with their training. By keeping parks and beaches open, individuals can get proper exercise, and also enjoy the mental health benefits of being outdoors.
"But people will still have beach parties". What are the police for? They've been monitoring the beaches this entire time. Give them more sensible rules to enforce.
In conclusion, if the plan is to allow hotels to apply for beach closure exemptions, it is my view that the idea of full beach and park closures should be scrapped completely. A rule that keeps beaches and parks open, but with limitations if needed, is much more fair.
Bahamians have bore the brunt of the strict virus rules imposed on New Providence and the country at large. Bahamians and residents should therefore be priority in government decision making, not second class and inferior to tourists.
