The NAHAD office has been fielding calls from concerned members about the impact of Coronavirus (or COVID-19) on the upcoming 2020 Annual Meeting & Convention to be held at the Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. NAHAD is actively monitoring updates provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as the World Health Organization (WHO). At this time, according to the CDC, “… At this time, this virus [COVID-19] is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.” The CDC has determined “… For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued this statement, indicating “… WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restrictions, based on the current information available.” WHO has provided measures and processes for containing suspected infected individuals aboard public transport.
The NAHAD office has been in contact with the Atlantis, as well as the Government of the Bahamas Ministry of Health. The Atlantis has released the following statement:
Atlantis Paradise Island takes the safety and well-being of our guests seriously. Currently, there have been no confirmed reports of coronavirus in The Bahamas.
The Bahamian government recently instituted a policy denying entry into the country to any non-resident, regardless of nationality, who has visited China in the last 20 days. In addition, all Bahamian residents returning to The Bahamas from China are being strictly quarantined and monitored for development of symptoms for the incubation period of 14 days.
The Bahamian Ministry of Health is proactively sharing information with hospitals, doctors and health workers so they know how to identify coronavirus symptoms and treat patients quickly and effectively. Atlantis Paradise Island staff is continuing to monitor the situation closely and following the guidelines established by the Bahamian government and Ministry of Health.
Please click this link to read the statement from the Ministry of Health.
At this time, the NAHAD 2020 Annual Meeting & Convention will take place April 24 – 29, 2020 at the Atlantis. Registration numbers are some of the highest NAHAD has ever seen, according to the group. NAHAD said it would send out subsequent alerts with updated information, if necessary.
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