Government

Checkpoint Assessments

There have been mixed reactions from stakeholders about administering the annual Cambridge diagnostic assessments during April of this year, and various reasons have been given. For clarity and understanding, we are providing an update on our decision and a full explanation of the purpose of these assessments. 

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP today advised that sadly, Bermuda has experienced another COVID-19 related death this weekend. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Bermuda to 19. 

The Minister of Health stated, “I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers for support to the family and friends of the person who has died. The Ministry will not release personal details about the individual and I ask the public to respect the privacy of the family as they mourn their loved one.”

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, wants to remind the public of helping services that are available to assist Bermuda as we come together to persevere through these challenging times. 

Minister Furbert said, “Bermuda, we are going through this as a community; no one is alone. There are resources available to help you if you need them. There have also been considerations made to ensure that during this Stay-at-Home Order essential resources remain accessible.” 

Please find a listing of some available resources below: 

The Ministry of Health received 1357 test results since the last update and 63 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 4.6%.

One of the new cases is classified as imported with details as follows:

·         One resident who arrived on  American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on 15 April, 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test.

28 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases.

Good evening Bermuda.

Thank you for joining us as we complete our 4th day of our seven day period of “stay at home”. This short, sharp stop was implemented to allow our essential services such as contact tracing to catch up to the volume of cases brought on by this outbreak of the B.1.1.7 variant in Bermuda.

As I speak to you today, 17 people have died, a number of persons are in the intensive care unit and over 40 people are in hospital directly as a result of COVID-19. 

Good evening.

There were 1385 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 37 were positive for coronavirus. This gives a test positivity rate of 2.7%.

2 of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

·         1 resident who arrived on  British Airways BA 159 from London on 6 April 2021 and tested positive on their Day 8 test

·         1 resident who arrived on  American Airlines AA 308 from Miami on 31 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 14 test

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources wishes to advise the public, per the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers)(Stay at Home) Regulations 2021, licenced fishermen are exempt to move about in the course of performing their work as licenced fishermen.

The Ministry of National Security will now also permit fishermen to sell fish at certain roadside stalls or docks from 7am to 7pm. An exemption letter is required. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources wishes to advise the public, per the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers)(Stay at Home) Regulations 2021, registered commercial farmers are exempt to move about in the course of performing their work.

Under the PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 EMERGENCY POWERS) (STAY AT HOME) REGULATIONS 2021, registered commercial farmers and licensed fishermen are not required to work from home and therefore they can tend to their crops and catch fish. 

Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Deputy Premier the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP today joined an emergency meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government, convened to receive the latest reports on the continuing impact of the eruption of La Soufriere on the Island of St. Vincent. 

The Ministry of Health received 1,528 test results since the last update, and 37 were positive for the coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 2.4% 

• One of the new cases is classified as imported by a non-resident who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on 30 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 14 test 

• 19 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases. 

The Ministry of Transport can confirm that bus service has resumed today (April 15, 2021).

Buses are currently following the Sunday schedule with additional runs in the morning and evening during the Stay-at-Home order and will resume regular service once the SAH has ended.

Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP MP, encourages the public to stay at home in line with the mandatory Government order and to only utilise the Bermuda bus service if necessary. 

The Transport Control Department wishes to remind the public that their offices will be closed to walk-in customers during the Stay-at-Home order.

Individuals whose vehicles will expire during this period are encouraged to first renew their insurance policy and then re-license their vehicle(s) online at etcd.gov.bm.

Education Reform for the Bermuda Public School System continues this week with the launch of the engagement process to determine signatures for the first two senior signature schools. The Ministry of Education is inviting the general public to weigh in and provide their input and feedback during an engaging consultation on proposed signatures senior schools.  

This evening, the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson regrets to advise the public that sadly, Bermuda has experienced another COVID-19 death. 

This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Bermuda to 17. 

The Office of the Tax Commissioner is advising that the due date for January to March 2021 e-filed payroll tax returns is tomorrow, April 15, 2021.

Mandatory e-filers are reminded that they are required to file online.   

The due date for all other taxes and manually filed payroll tax returns is extended to April 30, 2021. 

To set up to filing online, please visit www.etax.gov.bm and select Register. 

In collaboration with industry stakeholders, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is pleased to announce a series of upcoming free webinars. The British School of Etiquette Bermuda and Performance Solution Ltd. and DWD have partnered to offer free career development webinars this month.  

Good evening Bermuda, 

Apologies we’re a few minutes late this evening – as you can imagine it’s been a rather busy day. 

Thank you for joining us tonight where the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson and I will provide an update on the most recent coronavirus test results, and other updates from her hardworking Ministry.

Additionally, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ayo Oyinloye is also with us to answer any medical or technical questions from the media.

First we will hear from the Minister of Health…

In light of the Government’s current mandated Stay-At-Home Order, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, seeks to provide the public with information regarding assistance for Bermuda’s unsheltered population.

Minister Furbert shared, “Bermuda, as we enter this Stay-At-Home period, we are keenly aware of the needs of our most vulnerable population and our Ministry is thankful to work alongside the Ministry of Health and the Salvation Army to provide care for our unsheltered population.”

The public is advised that were 1,279 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and 21 were positive for COVID-19.

This gives a test positivity rate of 1.6%.

One (1) of the new cases is classified as imported with details as follows:

• One (1) resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on 27 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 14 test.

• 11 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases.

On the eve of the upcoming Stay-At-Home Order, Her Excellency the Governor Rena Lalgie offered the following, saying, “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost a beloved family member or friend to COVID recently.

“While I know that many of us are experiencing COVID fatigue, it is vitally important that we continue to adhere to the public health regulations which have been put in place. 

Thank you, Premier. Good afternoon.

I start by echoing the sentiments expressed by the Premier in offering my condolences and my prayers for support for the families who have recently been impacted the death of their loved ones due to COVID.

The Ministry of Health today confirmed that Bermuda has experienced two coronavirus related deaths. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Bermuda to 16.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP stated, “I extend my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the individuals who have passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. The Ministry will not release personal details about the individuals and I ask the public to respect the privacy of the families as they mourn their loved ones.”

Today’s rifle salute commemorating the life of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

The salute was performed by members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR).

The event which took place earlier today on the grounds of Government House, saw in attendance Her Excellency, the Governor Rena Lalgie, Deputy Premier, Walter Roban, Opposition Leader, Cole Simons, Cabinet Secretary, Marc Telemaque, RBR Honorary Colonel, Lt. Col. David Gibbons, and RBR Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Benjamin Beasley.

The Ministry of Transport advised this evening that regular bus service has not resumed, and has been suspended until further notice, due to the fact that bus operators have not returned to work.

There were 1634 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 116 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a positivity rate of 7.1%. 

Five of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

Her Excellency the Governor said “Like many of you I was deeply saddened to learn this morning about the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I offer my sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to the members of the Royal Family.

“Prince Philip visited Bermuda on many occasions often in the company of Her Majesty and will be remembered fondly by all who met him during these visits.  His commitment to young people both in Bermuda and across the world will live on in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.”

As the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth mourn the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP today offered condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. “The world remembers a long and full life, lived to the fullest by a man of unstinting devotion to duty. Prince Philip brought a necessary focus on issues of conservation and the environment over many years earning considerable respect for these pioneering efforts.

Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP today said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of St. Vincent & The Grenadines as they face the possible eruption of the volcano La Soufriere. The Caricom Family is united in its desire to provide support where necessary and like our Regional partners we continue to hope for the best. I will be making contact with Prime Minister Gonsalves to personally convey these well wishes.” 

The Ministry of Health received 1587 test results since the last update and 71 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 4.5%

Three of the new cases are classified as imported:

·         One non-resident who arrived on Jet Blue B62879 from Boston on 6 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test; and

·         Two residents who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on 6 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test.