The Bahamas is on "high alert" due to the Ebola crisis that has prompted several Caribbean nations to implement bans on travel from West Africa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said.
In recent days, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia have restricted travel from West Africa, where the Ebola virus has killed over 4,000 people.
Mitchell said the government has taken note of the measures that those nations have taken, but has not decided to take similar action as yet.
"The matter is a live issue with the government and an announcement will come in due course as more measures are required," Mitchell said.
"There is no ban on travelers to The Bahamas in place at the moment...If, at the end of the day, the Ministry of Health in concert with the international protocol says that's something that should happen, then it is possible for it to happen, but I can't say it is going to happen."
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Delon Brennen recently said it would be "nearly impossible" to prevent at least one case of the deadly Ebola virus from entering The Bahamas.
However, Brennen said the Ministry of Health has developed a plan it hopes would prevent local spread of the disease.
Mitchell noted that, as the country is driven by tourism, the issue is a sensitive one.
"I think everyone understands the sensitivity of the tourism industry," he said.
"This is not the time to panic, but to act sensibly. The Ministry of Health is going to coordinate the matter, and it will be done in the best interest of the country and to protect the Bahamian citizens."
He said the country has protocols in place to deal with people coming into The Bahamas who are suspected of having communicable diseases.
Mitchell said those protocols would be followed.
Former Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said the government should consider a ban.
"The government ought to discuss it at the Cabinet level," said Minnis, who leads the Official Opposition.
"Ebola is a very serious illness. It's something that is throughout the world. I don't think we should play politics with it because it can have a serious effect on our economy."
He said the government should also issue advisories to Bahamians warning them against traveling to impacted countries.
Minnis said the government must also increase awareness about Ebola.
"You must utilize the talk shows, online services, Facebook, twitter, etc.," he said. "You must utilize all educational parameters to ensure that there is no wrong information going out."
He said the government must ensure that it secures the necessary equipment and resources in the event there is a local case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Ebola death rate has risen to 70 percent.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian