Novel Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan- fbg-2

Preface
This Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Preparedness document seeks to provide guidance for the Health
Sector preparedness and response in the event of the introduction of COVID-19 Disease into The
Bahamas. This plan will outline the steps required to prevent, detect, report, investigate and respond
to any potential case of COVID-19 Disease in a coordinated and timely manner.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, COVID-19 preparedness meetings have convened and
will continue for the duration of this public health threat. It is anticipated that this document will be
reviewed and updated as guided by the evolution of COVID-19 Disease in the Region of the Americas,
the Caribbean sub-region and specifically, The Bahamas.
While this document seeks to guide preparedness and response activities for the country, it is
imperative that each health sector agency and relevant stakeholder agencies have preparedness
plans in place for specific application to their component of the implementation of a comprehensive
response.
The Government of The Bahamas has an established mechanism for the management and control of
disasters and emergencies through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Preparedness and response for COVID-19 Disease is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. The
COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan is a subset of the Influenza and other Vaccine-
Preventable Diseases Plan.
The following documents are relevant to the smooth implementation of this plan:
National Health Disaster Plan
Influenza and other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases National Emergency Management Agency
Plan
National Mass Casualty Plan
National Waste Management Plan – Environmental Health
COVID-19 Risk Communication Strategy – Ministry of Health
Environmental Health Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Detention Centre Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Ports Authority Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Immigration Communicable Disease Contingency plan
PHA Communicable Disease Contingency plan
Grand Bahama Health Services Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Community Health Clinics Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Funeral Directors Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Private Health Care Facilities Communicable Disease Contingency Plan (Doctors and Lyford
Cay, walk in clinics and medical centres)
International Health Regulations (2005)
Civil Aviation Communicable Disease Contingency Plan
Nassau Airport Development (NAD) Communicable Disease Response Plan
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