Local News From Every Source
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.
Before I start, the Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) extends condolences to the family of Mr. Jordan Outerbridge. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
As we reflect on 2020 as being a difficult year for everyone, the BRSC reminds the motoring public that we will continue with our mandate of promoting and educating the public regarding better driving habits and skills to keep our roads safer for everyone.
Today, the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP, issued the December 2020 Consumer Price Index (CPI) publication.
The Minister explained, “In December 2020 consumers paid 0.3 per cent more than they did for the CPI basket of goods and services in December 2019. Between November 2020 and December 2020 the average cost of all goods and services declined 0.1 percentage points.”
The Ministry of Health received 2018 test results since the last update and 89 were positive for COVID-19. This gives a test positivity rate of 4.4%.
One of the new cases is classified as imported with details as follows:
· 1 resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on 1 April 2021 and tested positive on their Day 4 test.
18 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.
This evening I will provide a detailed update for what is to take place for schools, after the Easter Break.
On March 23rd I announced that the Easter Break for our public schools would commence on Monday, March 29th, instead of Monday, April 5th. I also shared that the last day of Term 2 for students would be Friday, March 26th and students would return to school as normal on Monday, April 12th.
The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation (DYSR) is advising that it will once again offer a special childcare service for essential workers who are in need of daycare assistance for their children.
The service is a similar programme which was provided last year during the shelter-in-place period to help essential workers who were on the frontlines fighting against the pandemic.
Good day Bermuda, thank you for joining us today.
It is my pleasure to be joined by the Director of Age Concern, Dr. Claudette Fleming, along with the General Manager of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Major Barrett Dill, and the Chair of the Ageing Well Committee, Member of Parliament Ianthia Simmons-Wade.
Today, we wish to highlight a very meaningful initiative that was implemented at the beginning of 2020, designed to enhance the quality of life for our Seniors (Aged 50+) and Persons with disabilities.
Good evening Bermuda.
I begin by offering my deepest condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda to the families of the two people who, as announced by the Minister of Health over the weekend, are the latest in our community to have succumbed to the coronavirus.
This is a harsh reminder that this virus can be fatal, and that we must do all that we can to protect ourselves and one another.