Government

There were 3,234 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 69 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a positivity rate of 2.1%. 

33 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases. The additional 36 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.

Since the last update, there were 41 recoveries and two deaths.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has received reports of reckless boaters and swimmers trying to get close to whales, endangering both the whales and themselves. Whales are wild animals and can be unpredictable, particularly if agitated.

The Ministry of Health today confirmed that Bermuda has experienced two coronavirus related deaths over the weekend. This brings the number of COVID-19 deaths in Bermuda to 14.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, has this afternoon released the following statement to provide the public with an update as we navigate the impact of COVID-19 in our public schools.

Minister Rabain stated, “Bermuda, as we continue to evaluate the evidence, the data, and the psychological impact of where we are as an island, we want to reassure you that the safety and health of our students, school staff, parents, and the community at large remains our top priority.”

The Cabinet Office today provided an update on the government services impacted by the current coronavirus outbreak in the community.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson stated, “Today the Government is providing an update on the departments and services that are impacted by the current restrictions. Additionally, public officers who can work from home are working from home. The following departments are providing modified services to the general public.

 Social Insurance

Office location:  Ground Floor, Government Administration Building

Good day. 

The Ministry of Health received 3,339 test results since the last update, 108 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a positivity rate of 3.2%. These results are from testing that took place on Wednesday, with 70 positive out of 1865 test results received (3.7%), and testing on Thursday where there were 38 positive out of 1474 (2.6%). 

Good day. 

The Ministry of Health received 2151 test results since the last update, and 75 were positive for COVID-19. Three of the new cases are classified as imported by two residents who arrived on Jet Blue B62231 from New York on 26 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 4 test. One non-resident who arrived on British Airways BA 2233 from London on 26 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 4 test.

Good afternoon,

Today I am joined by Assistant Police Commissioner Martin Weekes.

Bermuda, this holiday weekend is significant for several reasons.

For one, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are considered the most important dates on the Christian calendar.

And from a cultural standpoint, this holiday weekend is one of the most iconic for Bermudians.

Good Friday is steeped in tradition for us, with kite flying, hot cross buns and fish cakes.

The Ministry of Health is reminding the public that it has pop-up COVID-19 testing to the community.  You do not need an appointment to get tested at this location. 

Horseshoe Bay Beach car park, Monday 5 April and Wednesday 7 April, from 4:30 – 7:30 pm.

Only walk-in testing is available.

Good day. 

The Ministry of Health received 1660 test results since the last update, and 60 were positive for COVID-19. One of the new cases is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 617 from New York on 29 March 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test. 17 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

Laurel Burns:

Thank you, Minister, for the opportunity to provide some supporting remarks.

Through Learning First, the Ministry of Education has begun to work with teams of teachers and principals, and engage with students and parents, businesses and community organisations, to begin to develop the curriculum and the model of teaching and learning that will enable each and every learner to have an education that meets their unique needs, talents and passions.

Good Morning and thank you for coming.

Today I will provide information on the transformative work that the Ministry of Education has been undertaking in carrying out the Government’s commitment to phase out middle schools and introduce signature schools.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, today stated, “The Ministry of Health is aware of an email purporting to be from Department of Health Bermuda which is currently circulating in the community stating that the Government has issued a STAY AT HOME order. This image is clearly false. The public is urged not to forward messages that are not credible. Official information from the Government is always shared through a press conference or a press release. 

The Cabinet Office advised that the flag on the grounds of the Cabinet Building, is being flown at half mast today in remembrance of Mr. Kenneth Richardson CVO, CBE, JP, Bermuda’s first Black Secretary to the Cabinet. Mr. Richardson, whose private funeral service is today, served in the post from 1984 to 1993.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, we extend our sincere condolences to Mrs. Brenda Richardson and the entire family.”

The Minister of National Security, Renee Ming expressed concern about today’s shooting incident in St. George’s saying, “Regrettably we had a firearms incident in the midst of our Country’s fight against the latest Covid-19 outbreak. 

“My thoughts are with the victim, his family and everyone who has been impacted by this act of anti-social behaviour. Gun violence has no place in our neighbourhoods, and this incident is extremely concerning, particularly because our people are already weary and anxious at having to deal with the current pandemic challenges we face.” 

Good Evening Bermuda,

I am disappointed to have to start today’s press conference with the announcement of a shooting in St. George this afternoon. A male was shot and injured – his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening at this time. Minister Renee Ming and the Bermuda Police Service are issuing statements on this incident, provide further details.

Good afternoon.

The Ministry of Health received 1036 test results since the last update, and 21 were positive for COVID-19. 

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

The additional eleven 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 no recoveries.

The Ministry of Health received 3038 test results since the last update, and 108 were positive for COVID-19. 

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

§  A resident who arrived on Jet Blue B62231 from New York on 26 March 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test

Thirty-five of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases.

Following government advice on measures to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Registry General wishes to advise the public that in light of the restrictions given to Public Officers the office will be closed to the public, however collection of certificates, notices, or any other documents may be done by appointment only. 

Customers wishing to submit hard copies of their applications for processing may do so via the Registry General drop box located on the 1st Floor of the Government Administration Building, 30 Parliament Street, Hamilton.

The Public is advised that due to the current COVID guidelines, there are changes to day-to-day Government operations. Please note below some of the changes within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Dept. Of Land Title and Registration:

·     The LTRO will remain open for business albeit with a smaller skeleton staff within the office.

·      Documents may be delivered to the LTRO but by appointment only until further notice. 

·     The main number to call is 294-9266

In adherence with Government’s policy that all museums be closed due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, the entire Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) has closed to the public from Sunday 28^th March 2021 until further notice. 

The BAMZ staff will continue to look after all our animals and maintain the property during the closure. 

We will also continue to respond to wildlife emergencies on 293-2727 ext:  #999. 

We apologize to all our patrons and look forward to welcoming you back when we are safely able to do so.

The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport announced today that in light of the new restrictions to curb the current outbreak, Organised Sports is moving to Stage 1 of the Return to Play Guidance. This is effective immediately.

As a note, the Ministry confirmed that the National Sports Governing Bodies (NSGBs) have been advised that sports is moving to Stage 1.

Stage 1 applies only to outdoor sports as gyms and all indoor recreational facilities are closed under the public health emergency measures.

Good Evening Bermuda,

We started down this road over a year ago. 

Over the last year, our management of the pandemic was based on risk mitigation, balancing the country’s health and our economy.

Although Bermuda is one of the world’s leaders in testing and vaccinations, we are currently being challenged by an aggressive strain of the Covid-19 virus.

I am joined tonight by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson who will provide an update on the latest COVID-19 test results, and where we are currently from a medical perspective.

Good afternoon.

The Ministry of Health received 1339 test results since the last update, and 81 were positive for COVID-19. One of the new cases is classified as imported by a non-resident who arrived on British Airways BA 2233 from London on 11 March 2021 and tested positive on their Day 14 test.

Thirty-five of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

Good day. 

The Ministry of Health received 1108 test results since the last update, and 33 were positive for COVID-19. Fourteen of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases. The additional nineteen 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 four recoveries.

There are currently 213 active cases, of which;

The Ministry of Public Works can advise the public that inclement weather and the inability to source local materials has resulted in considerable delays in completing repairs to the wall located on Harbour Road in the vicinity of Burnt House Hill and Tamarind Vale.

Furthermore, identifying an additional 50 feet of wall in need of repairs and new construction methods requiring staff training further delayed the project’s completion.  

These delays have resulted in a further extension needed to complete rebuilding the wall section on Harbour Road (extension attached).

The Public is advised that due to the rising cases of COVID-19, out of an extreme abundance of caution, the Department of Ageing and Disability Services will not be available to accept office walk-ins effective immediately. 

Please note that the Department of Ageing and Disability Services will remain operational and will be accepting telephone calls Monday – Friday, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on 292-7802.  

Good Morning, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to provide another update on the Short Term Stimulus Programme that was launched on December 17^th, 2020 to a maximum value of BMD $13,385,000 where small to medium sized contractors were invited to participate.  

Mr. Speaker, 

Today I rise to share with my honourable colleagues and the community at large an update on the impact of COVID 19 in our public schools.

Mr. Speaker, 

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently visited the K Margaret Carter Centre to accept a heartfelt donation from Kenneth Pushā II, Owner of Mask’d Co., alongside the K Margaret Carter Centre Administrator Mrs. Veronica Baptista, staff, and clients. 

Minister Furbert said, “The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors would like to acknowledge Mr. Pushā, affectionately known as Kentu, for his generous donation of over 50 cloth (reusable) masks to honor those living with disabilities.”

Following a recent Ministerial Statement given by Transport Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Scott JP, MP, Royal Caribbean International, announced on Tuesday that they would offer cruises departing from Bermuda starting on 26 June 2021.

Minister Scott stated, “The news from RCI recently, serves as evidence of our commitment to not only do what we say we will do but demonstrates how we have become innovative during a time riddled with travel restrictions. 

Good day. 

Requirement to apply Enhanced Due Diligence for higher risk jurisdictions

Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP today issued AML-ATF Advisory 1/2021 about the risks in a number of jurisdictions arising from inadequate systems and controls to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Ministry of Health has two new walk-in and drive-through pop-up locations that will offer COVID-19 testing to the community.  You do not need an appointment to get tested at these locations.

The locations are: 

TCD (outdoor drive-through lanes), Monday 29 March and Wednesday 31 March, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. 

Horseshoe Bay Beach car park, Monday 5 April and Wednesday 7 April, from 4:30 – 7:30 pm.

Madam President, Bermuda had a sobering anniversary last week, as March 18^th marked the one-year anniversary of the first Covid-19 case in Bermuda.