Government

Thank you Premier. Good afternoon everyone.

I begin my remarks today by offering sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a family member, a friend, a neighbour or a colleague in circumstances related to the coronavirus. Recently we have had a number of deaths, and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one during this pandemic.

On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I am so very sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, as well as those currently in the hospital with COVID-19 related illness.

“Sadly, today, I must report that Bermuda has recorded another death of someone who was COVID positive,” said Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends. I am truly sorry for your loss, and my prayers are with you.”

The Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott JP, MP, confirmed that the payment made to the Airport was made as per the terms and conditions outlined in the Project Agreement. 

The Minister stated, “The Ministry is presented with an invoice every quarter to pay, and we have no option other than to pay it. If we do not pay the invoice, the country would have defaulted on their obligation under the agreement. That is not how we operate at the Ministry of Transport. 

The Department of Marine and Ports Services advises the public that effective Monday 3^rd May, the ferry service will operate under a revised schedule. 

Commuters are urged to familiarise themselves with the changes as they impact the service frequency of some routes.

For more information visit:

 www.marineandports.bm

The Public is advised of updates to the current bus schedule.

Buses will continue to follow the Sunday schedule 7 days a week.

There are a number of additional morning and evening runs listed below that will operate from Monday to Saturday only.  

(For further reference, please see the below)

Additional Runs – Monday to Saturday

Route 1

• 7:15 am Central Terminal to Grotto Bay

• 8:00 am Grotto Bay to Central Terminal

This Practice Direction is issued further to Circular 4 of 2021.

The health, safety and welfare of the Members of the Public, as well as Court Administrative Staff continues to be our paramount concern.

The continued surge of positive COVID-19 test results the island is experiencing continues to be of great concern to the community. As such, the Courts must reduce services further as part of protective measures which are necessary to implement in order to assist in the efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, has this afternoon released the following statement to provide the public with an update on the Ministry of Education Awards and Scholarships.

Introduction

Good evening Bermuda.

The Ministry of Health received 1179 test results since the last update, and 31 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 2.6 %.

15 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases. The additional 16 new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, there were 93 recoveries, and there were no deaths.

As part of the ‘Culture@Home‘ local entertainment initiative, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport announced that popular DJ IBreeze will host a 2-hour live session this Sunday (April 25). 

The online music session is being sponsored by the Department of Culture, and gets underway at 4.00 p.m. via multiple social media platforms (Twitch, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook).

The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport advised that it has been meeting with Parish Councils with the goal of granting them greater autonomy. 

The Ministry has formed a Working Group with representatives from all Parish Councils to develop a roadmap to assist the Councils in operating as independent entities.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets said, “I am grateful to the Working Group participants for their time and commitment to the community.

Today, Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP, released the January 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. 

The Minister explained, “In January 2021 consumers paid 0.3 per cent less for a basket of goods and services, than they did in December 2020.

“I am extremely sorry to report that Bermuda has recorded an additional COVID-19 related death,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “This is distressing news, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends who are now grieving the loss of their loved one.”

The Ministry of Health received 1570 test results since the last update, and 23 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.5 %.

The public is advised that the Hamilton Ferry Terminal building will remain closed until further notice, but ferry service from the Hamilton Ferry Terminal is running.

Regular ferry service is currently in operation until Wednesday, April 28 with the exception of the routes listed below which will not be in service:

Green Route: 

6:40pm Hamilton departure only

6:20pm departing Hamilton 

Pink Route:

6:20pm departing Hamilton

7:00pm departing Hamilton

The Department of Education is advising parents that this week Friday, April 23rd, 2021, all schools will be closed and will resume with remote learning on Monday, April 26th, 2021.

While the Department is mindful of the disruption that the Coronavirus Pandemic has had on the school year, and on learning for children, it was hoped that this Friday could be used to make up previously lost days. The Bermuda Union of Teachers respectfully declined our request.  As a result, Friday’s school holiday will go ahead as scheduled.

“It is with sadness that I must announce yet another two more individuals have passed away with COVID-19 related illness. The sad news of two more deaths related to COVID-19 is a reminder of how serious this virus is and that our battle with the coronavirus is far from over,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My sincere thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends who have to deal with the unfortunate death of a loved one.”

The Cabinet Office today announced, in 2016, many nations across the world entered into the Paris Agreement, pledging to work together to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Agreement provides a pathway for sovereign nations to work together on climate mitigation and adaptation efforts while encouraging participants to increase their commitments over time.

The Public Health [Covid-19 Emergency Powers] [Stay at Home] Amendment Regulations 2021 are in effect. 

The following are updated curfew exemption guidance issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Minister of Home Affairs on the above noted date.  

Pursuant to Section 11(c) of the above Regulations: 

11 (c) Fishermen and farmers

Joy T. Barnum to host At Home Concert

Today the Department of Culture announced the launch of ‘Culture@Home‘, an initiative which will showcase a series of virtual performances and online activities aimed at providing a bit of upliftment for the community during these challenging times.

One of the upcoming featured events is an at-home virtual concert by popular local singer Joy T. Barnum. 

Good evening.

The Ministry of Health received 578 test results since the last update, and 12 were positive for coronavirus. This gives a test positivity rate of 2.1%.

One of the new cases is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on 18 April  2021 and tested positive on their arrival test.

Three 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 come out of the 7 Day Stay at Home Order and into the next phase of regulations to allow for some safe economic activity. 

Firstly I begin by sending my condolences to the families of the three people we lost over the past few days. We are again reminded of the human cost that this virus has imposed on families within our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those lost over the weekend and yesterday, as well as with all families who have been impacted by loss during this pandemic.

This Practice Dlrection is issued further to Circular 03 of 2021.

The heath, safety and welfare of the Members of the Publlc, as well as Court Administrative Staff continues to be our paramount concern.

The continued surge of positive COVID-19 test results the island Is experiencing continues to be of great concern to the community. As such, the Courts must reduce services further as part of protective measures which are necessary to implement in order to assist in the efforts to reduce the community spread of COViD-19.

The Ministry of Health received 2100 test results since the last update, and 91 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 4.6%.

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.