Authorities in the Bahamas are restricting US travel to the Islands in an effort to curve the rising cases of COVID-19.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister and acting Health Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis who plans to have the order go into effect on Wednesday.

According to the Bahamas Ministry of Health, they have had 153 cases of the virus and 11 deaths as of Sunday.

Those traveling from Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom are still welcomed to the islands, while travel from the US has been restricted to emergencies and essential travel.

Those traveling to the islands must also be tested for the virus by an accredited lab and have a negative test 10 days or less before traveling or they will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

The order will be a huge blow to the Bahamian economy which relies heavily on American tourism and who is still working to recover from Hurricane Dorian.

Under the new order, beaches and parks have also been closed and indoor dining, weddings, funerals, religious services, and sporting events have also been banned in Grand Bahama.