Government

Good morning and welcome to all members of the media and the listening audience. 

I am delighted to be joined here today by the Premier and Minister of Tourism, the Honourable David Burt, Ms. Laura Purroy, General Manager at Hotelco Bermuda Holding, and Mr. Jan Vanhaelewyn, General Manager of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort.  

The public will know that the Ministry of Labour’s overarching aim is the expansion of jobs and economic growth within Bermuda.

The Bermuda College vaccination centre is today still continuing to accept walk-ins for those persons aged 65 years and older who are unable to register for the vaccination on line.  In addition, we are also today accepting walk-ins for those persons aged 50 or older. However, again, please note that priority will be given to those aged 65 and older. Walk-in appointments are from 3 pm to 6:45 pm today and tomorrow, 12 March 2020. Bermuda College will not accept walk-ins on Saturday.

The Minister Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, recently joined the Graduate Trainee Programme participants in a virtual event to mark the Career Readiness Programme’s completion (CRP), where he congratulated those involved in the initiative. 

The CRP is facilitated through the Department of Workforce Development in conjunction with industry partners, Performance Solutions and AB Consulting. It is a component of the Graduate Trainee Programme, designed as part of the Ministry’s Youth Employment Strategy. 

Good day.

Mr Speaker, 

Today I rise to share with my honourable colleagues and the community at large the efforts that are being undertaken to develop the workforce for Bermuda’s schools and the professional development that will be provided throughout education reform and thereafter.

Mr Speaker, 

The Department of Parks (Parks) issued a special permit to an individual to hold what was listed as a birthday party of fewer than 25 persons in attendance at this location, in keeping with the current public health regulations. The Department has no authority to issue permits or exemptions from COVID-19 regulations. Applicants who wish to hold events with more than 25 persons must first apply for and receive an exemption from the Ministry of National Security. That approval must be submitted with the permit request for the event to the Department of Parks. 

Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 258 test results since the last update, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Additionally, since the last update, there were no recoveries.

There are currently 22 active cases, of which;

·        All 22 are under public health monitoring and;

·        None are in the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 724 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 690 persons have recovered, and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health will be piloting a walk-in vaccination service starting tomorrow (10 March). The Bermuda College vaccination centre will accept walk-ins for those persons 65 or older from 3 pm to 6:45 pm until Tuesday, 16 March. The last walk-in vaccination on any day will be at 6:45 pm. Anyone at the vaccination centre after 6:45 pm will be given an appointment for the next available opening on the schedule.

The Minister of Education, the Ministry and the Department of Education have today shared this tribute to Dr. Joseph Christopher, A Humble Servant Educational Leader.

 The Forest for the Trees: A Humble Servant Educational Leader: Dr. Joseph Christopher

Bermuda’s educational community has lost a humble servant leader in Dr. Joseph Christopher. The former Chief Education Officer served from 1996 to 2007.

Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 1604 test results since the last update, and two (2) were positive for COVID-19. These two new cases are classified as under investigation. They 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 two recoveries.

There are currently 22 active cases, of which;

· All 22 are under public health monitoring and;

· None are in the hospital.

The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, and the Registrar General, Mr. Aubrey Pennyman are pleased to announce a call for submissions for the redesigning of the Marriage Room on the first floor of the Government Administration Building.

Bermudians or Bermuda residents are invited to submit a proposal for an 8’5” x 12’¾” mural to be installed in the Registry General’s Marriage Room which reflects the theme, ‘Love Bermuda.’

The mural will serve as a focal point for civil ceremonies that take place within the Registry General.

Good day to all members of the media and the listening public. 

I am incredibly pleased to be here today with Melissa Logie, President and CEO of the Chartered Professional Accountants Bermuda (CPA), to announce the launch of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Labour and the CPA Bermuda, aimed at increasing the number of qualified Bermudian accountants. 

Mr. Speaker, as a woman and Minister responsible for Human Rights it is my privilege to stand before this Honourable House today, the 8^th of March, to acknowledge the annual celebration of International Women’s Day.  Historically this day is observed globally with the aim to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

On Monday, March 1st, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, was delighted to read the official Proclamation launching Social Work Month 2021. 

Minister Furbert said, “I was honoured to be a part of the virtual launch of Bermuda’s Social Work Month 2021. This year’s theme is “Social Workers Are Essential,” and it perfectly embodies the impact of this helping profession.” 

After 14 meetings held over the past six weeks to discuss the proposal for the introduction of parish primary schools, the Ministry of Education will hold its last final meeting on Monday, March 8. 

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education stated: “This is an opportunity for stakeholders and all community members in Hamilton, Smith’s and Warwick Parishes to join in and hear about the proposal to introduce parish primary schools, offer their feedback and ask any questions. Additionally, anyone else who missed any of the previous meetings can join as well.”

Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 425 test results since the last update, and one (1) was positive for COVID-19. This new case is classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with a known case.

Additionally, since the last update, there was (1) recovery.

There are currently 22 active cases, of which;

• All 22 are under public health monitoring and;

• None are in the hospital.

The Government of Bermuda London Office wishes to advise Bermudians in the United Kingdom that whilst the stay at home restrictions are in place, the ability to travel abroad is restricted only to those with a legally permitted reason. From 8 March 2021, all travellers departing England for Bermuda must complete a declaration form to confirm that they are outside of their home to travel abroad for a legally permitted reason. 

Mr Speaker

I rise today to provide this Honourable House a progress report on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programme in Bermuda.

As we are all aware, COVID-19 continues as a public health emergency for Bermuda and the rest of the world. In response to this deadly pandemic, research and trials of new vaccines were accelerated through 2020, and continue at a fast pace into 2021.

Mr Speaker

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update this Honourable House on the progress undertaken toward the elimination of single-use plastics in Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, 

Good Morning, Mr. Speaker.

It was December 17th, 2020 when the Executive Director of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, Mrs. Erica Smith and I launched the Short Term Stimulus Programme to a maximum value of BMD $13,385,000 and invited small to medium sized contractors to participate.

Good day.

Today the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns announced the appointment of Cheryl-Ann Lister OBE, CFA, MBA, BSc as the Acting Financial Secretary for the Ministry of Finance.

Mrs. Lister will assume the post effective Monday, March 8, 2021. 

Her appointment is made following the recent passing of the former Financial Secretary, the late Anthony Manders. 

Mrs. Lister will work under the policy direction of the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Curtis Dickinson. 

Good Afternoon to the Bermuda Public and members of the media.

I am here today to provide you with an overview of the Ministry of Transport’s plans for the Budget year, 2021-2022, and to demonstrate how the Ministry of Transport seeks to fulfill itsmission of transporting people and goods efficiently and safely, during these challenging times.

I want to first of all thank the Department heads, the Ministry of Transport staff, and all those who worked tirelessly to ensure that we were able to come up with an outcome that best supports our community.

Good morning,

I wish to provide a brief overview of some of the key focuses of the Ministry of National Security this upcoming fiscal year. Along with the Ministries of Health and Education, the Ministry of National Security received one of largest budget allocations for fiscal year 2021-22.

However, our Ministry budget has been prudently scaled back, as we recognize the fiscal challenges that have been caused by the pandemic. Like other Ministries this will be a particularly challenging year for us. But I can assure the public:

The Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists of their duty to drive safely while on the roads. As we enter into March our topic of the month is “Maintain your distance”.

What does it mean to ‘Maintain your distance’?

The Ministry of Health received 479 test results since the last update, and five (5) were positive for COVID-19. All of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

Additionally, since the last update, there was one recovery.

There are currently 21 active cases, of which;

• All 21 are under public health monitoring and;

• None are in the hospital.