Government

The Ministry of Education has announced that due to recent COVID outbreaks to cancel the Learning First pop–up events for tomorrow, Wednesday, March 17th  and Friday, March 19th.

Good Evening Bermuda,

I am joined tonight by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson who will provide an update on the latest vaccination statistics, Covid-19 testing results and provide details on measures being put into place to address the current outbreak in Bermuda. 

Following that, I will provide you with an update on the extension of COVID-19 regulations, which have been agreed by the Cabinet today, and touch on matters related to tourism and our economy. 

The Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) is aware of COVID-19 exposure at Whitney Institute Middle School. The persons confirmed with COVID-19 have been isolated.

Additionally, the ESU is contacting confirmed close contacts, and those persons are being advised that they must quarantine (stay home from school and other activities) and get tested for COVID-19.

The assessment of this situation is ongoing and additional communication will be provided, outlining further public health guidelines that must be followed, such as quarantine and testing.

Good afternoon.

There were 440 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and two were positive for COVID-19. These two (2) 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 (1) recovery.

There are currently 30 active cases, of which;

·         All 30 are under public health monitoring and;

·         None are in the hospital.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP, is pleased to announce that a signature song has been dedicated to the Mirrors Programme by Bermudian artist, teacher and songwriter Patricia O’Connor.

After attending an All In! 8 Keys of Excellence event at Dellwood Middle School, Mrs. O’Connor was so inspired by the students, she produced a song for the Mirrors Programme.

Her passion for supporting Bermuda’s youth was her introduction to the Mirrors Programme.  

Yesterday, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) identified a potential COVID-19 exposure at Northlands Primary School.  Based on the risk assessment, the Department of Health has been in direct contact with affected persons at Northlands Primary School.  Only those persons contacted are required to quarantine.  After the ESU risk assessment, it was concluded that Northlands Primary School open today.

Good day. 

The Ministry of Health received 1630 test results since the last update, and five (5) were positive for COVID-19. Two (2) of the new cases are classified as imported by residents who arrived on British Airways  BA 2233 from London on 11 March 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test, and a resident who arrived on Delta Airlines  DL 584 from Atlanta on 27 February 2021 and tested positive on their Day 14 test. The third new case is classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.  

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize that not only is March social work month, but tomorrow the 16thMarch is recognized around the world as world social work day.  This year, the International Federation of Social Workers highlights Ubuntu: “I am Because We Are”. 

Mr. Speaker, Ubuntu: ‘I am because we are’ is a concept and philosophy that resonates with the social work perspective of the interconnectedness of all peoples and their environments. It is a Zulu word that President Obama spoke about at Nelson Mandela’s memorial when he said:

Earlier this weekend, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) identified a potential COVID-19 exposure at Dellwood Middle School.  After conducting a risk assessment, the ESU has concluded that with all precautions (disinfecting and deep cleaning of areas impacted) having been put in place on the campus, Dellwood Middle School will open on Monday, March 15th, 2021.  

The Ministry of Education has scheduled three pop-up events, happening next week Monday, Wednesday and Friday – March 15^th, 17^th and 19^th, 2021 The pop-up events will introduce education stakeholders and the general public to how 21^st Century learning for children is being designed for the Bermuda Public School System.

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to advise the public of upcoming plans to repair a 50-foot section of wall located on Harbour Road Paget, east of Highwood Lane and Lovers Lane. 

In the coming weeks, the area in question (see attached image) will undergo remedial repairs to secure the wall section.  Meanwhile, the planning and procurement of the necessary equipment and materials to complete permanent repairs will be carried out and executed in due course. 

Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 552 test results since the last update, and three (3) were positive for COVID-19. The first new case is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 308 from Miami on 2 March 2021 and tested positive on their day 8 test. The second new case is classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases. The third new case is classified as under investigation. This case is a resident with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Honourable House that the Expungement of Convictions Act 2020 was brought into operation yesterday March 11^th, 2021.

In response to questions raised regarding the recently announced call for submissions to redesign the marriage room at the Registry General, the Hon. Walter Roban JP, MP, Minister of Home Affairs stated, “It is in the spirit of an initiative that has been promoted by the Registry General since 2019 that we want to celebrate and support Bermudian artists, their work, creativity, ownership, and intellectual property. This Government has been featuring local art in numerous public spaces around the island for several years now.

Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 423 test results since the last update, and one (1) was positive for COVID-19. The one (1) new case is classified as under investigation. This case is a resident 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 (2) recoveries.

There are currently 28 active cases, of which;

·         All 28 are under public health monitoring and;

·         None are in the hospital.

Good afternoon,

The aim of today’s media briefing is to once again speak to the COVID-19 regulations that are in place. 

I am joined by Assistant Police Commissioner Martin Weekes who will provide some information on the enforcement efforts that the Police are doing to ensure that residents and businesses are complying with the COVID-19 regulations in place. 

Good morning.

Junior Minister of Labour, Senator Arianna Hodgson, Ms. Laura Purroy, General Manager Hotelco Bermuda Holding, Mr. Jan Vanhaelewyn, General Manager of The St. Regis Bermuda Resort.

I am pleased to be here today, joined by the Junior Minister of Labour, as she announces exciting training and employment opportunities for Bermudians at the soon to be open St. Regis Hotel in St. Georges.

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.