Government

The Ministry of Health received 992 test results since the last update, and two (2) were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 0.2%.

Both 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 were 33 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 309 active cases, of which:

·         297 are under public health monitoring and

·         12 are in hospital with two (2) in intensive care;

“The Bermuda Road Safety Council (BRSC) would like to take this time to offer our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the recent road fatalities. Losing a loved one is never easy.  Your pain is felt throughout the community.”

In the last 24 hours we have seen an increase in road collisions.  We ask; actually, we implore motorists to drive and ride safer by reducing your speed, paying close attention to your driving, refrain from using electronic devices to minimize distractions. We all share our roads, therefore we must all do our part to make them safer.

Mr. Speaker,

This morning I rise before you and my Honorable colleagues to share the plans that have been put in place to reopen our schools safely for in-person learning, on Monday, May 10^th.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, much has been said in the media recently about the payments being made to Skyport under the Minimum Revenue Guarantee obligations as set out in the Project Agreement. Mr. Speaker, this Government takes all of its contractual obligations very seriously and I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and to provide all of the facts relating to these contractual payments.

Good Morning Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this morning to provide this Honourable House with an update on efforts to meet the Government Reform initiative – Wellness Objective.

Mr. Speaker, as a reminder, in November of last year, I informed this Honourable House that the responsibility for Government Reform now falls under the remit of the Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform.

Good Morning, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to inform this Honourable House on the positive results of the recent sovereign ratings review by Standard & Poor’s (S&P).

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 29^th, 2021, S&P conducted its annual ratings review of the country of Bermuda. The purpose of the review was to assess the country’s creditworthiness and to determine the level of risk associated with lending to Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Section 2 AA (3) of the Government Loans Act 1978, I rise to inform this Honourable House of the issuance of a new Government guarantee.

Mr. Speaker, when determining whether the Government should consider providing a guarantee, various factors are taken into consideration before making a final decision. These factors include:

Good evening Bermuda.

Thank you for joining us tonight as we outline our country’s next steps for Moving Beyond the Pandemic.

First let me begin by extending my condolences to the families of Mr. Marvin Lambe, and Mr. Eugene Thomas who sadly lost their lives after separate serious road traffic accidents on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and friends, as well as all other persons involved in the accidents as they recover from their injuries. I ask everyone to please drive with care and caution on our roads at all times.

Good evening Bermuda,

As we begin to move into Phase 2 with the relaxing of some of the regulations, I will provide a general overview on the following:

1) Curfew Exemptions;

2) Large Group Exemptions;

3) Enforcement by the Bermuda Police Service; and

4) Quarantine Guidelines for non-immunised persons.

Even though some restrictions are being rolled back, these continue to be concerning times for our community.

And as we work to manage the COVID-19 virus it’s important that we remain vigilant.

The Department of Education will be holding Zoom Town Hall meetings to share more information about the Saliva Testing Programme with parents.

Meeting registration details can be obtained from the parent newsletter ‘The Scoop’.

The Town Hall Meetings will be hosted by the Commissioner of Education and officials from the Molecular Diagnostic Lab (MDL) as follows:

1.      Preschool Parents / Guardians – Monday, May 10th at 6:00 p.m.

2.      Primary School Parents / Guardians – Tuesday, May 11th at 6:00 p.m.

The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors has launched a pilot programme with the Disability Center of Bermuda (DCOB) and Investing in Care Safety and Security (ICSS) to provide GPS life safety devices at a reduced cost for seniors with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and persons with disabilities.

On Monday, May 3rd, The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, met with the Education Emergency Measures Committee (EEMC) to discuss the safe return to in-school learning and the introduction of the saliva testing screening strategy for schools. 

Minister Rabain said, “Provided the intended public health targets are met, school is intended to open for in-person instruction on May 10th. This will be confirmed tomorrow when announcements are made regarding the proposed move to Phase 2 of our reopening.”

The Ministry of Health received 1014 test results since the last update, and two (2) were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 0.2%.

Both 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 were 36 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 383 active cases, of which:

·         369 are under public health monitoring and

·         14 are in hospital with two (2) in intensive care;

The Department of Culture will host the first ever Bermuda Cultural Stakeholder Conference on Sunday, May 16. 

The conference which will be held via Zoom, is free to the public and will serve as the formal launch of Bermuda’s National Cultural Heritage Policy. 

The forum will also provide an opportunity to engage with and hear from Bermuda’s creatives, heritage organisations, artists and cultural groups.  

The Ministry of Health received 447 test results since the last update, and five (5) were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.1%.

All five (5) 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 were 14 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 417 active cases, of which:

·         401 are under public health monitoring and

·         16 are in hospital with 3 in intensive care;

The Ministry of Transport wishes to advise the public that all April bus passes will be extended into the month of May.

Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott JP, MP, indicated today, “This has been a trying time for all of us. We would like to offer the customers who use the public bus and ferry service relief in being able to use their bus pass from April into the month of May. 

“I am sorry to report that another Bermudian has died from a Covid-related illness,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family and loved ones.”

The Ministry of Health received 2855 test results since the last update, and 29 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.0. These results are from testing done on Thursday (15 positive out of 1087 results (1.4% positivity)), Friday (8 positive out of 857 results (0.9% positivity)) and Saturday (6 positive out of 911 results (0.7% positivity)).

~ Celebrating Bermudian Resilience ~

May is Heritage Month. And for the second consecutive year the Department of Culture will be hosting a series of virtual and physically distanced events to highlight and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and heritage.

The public will recall that in March, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets announced that this year’s theme for Bermuda Day and Heritage Month is “Bermudian Resilience”.

Transport Control Department, on North Street, Pembroke, was the location of today’s central parish Close to Home mobile vaccination programme. 189 people got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine between 10am and 2pm.

Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP.MP  today congratulated the new owners of historic Cambridge Beaches. Premier Burt stated:  “This is an exciting development and further sets the stage for the recovery we need to see in tourism for Bermuda. It is incredibly encouraging news that this iconic property will benefit from upgraded rooms and enhanced amenities. A new and refreshed hotel product is a vital part of the equation for success in presenting a Bermuda vacation to our visitor market.”

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP today, advised that Bermuda has experienced another COVID-19 related death today. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Bermuda to 29.

“I am deeply saddened to report another COVID-19 related death. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and friends. They are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The Ministry of Labour would like to take the opportunity to highlight and commemorate International Workers Day, aka May Day, which is celebrated worldwide on May 1^st. Today is a day dedicated to workers and labourers across the world and is also called the International Day of Workers. 

This evening the Government advised of the following changes to the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Stay at Home) Amendment (NO. 2) Regulations. 

These changes take effect today April 30, 2021 and the updates are as follows: 

“Sadly, we have one more COVID related death to report today,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”

The Ministry of Health received 777 test results since the last update, and 11 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.4%.

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

This Practice Direction is issued further to Circular 5 of 2021.

Given the phased re-opening by the Bermuda Government since the lifting of the ‘Stay at Home Order’ the Court will commence transitioning to re-opening to providing full services.

Bermuda, how many plants can you identify in your neighbourhood that can be used for herbal remedies? 

That’s the question the Department of Culture is asking the public as it introduces ‘Culture in Your Yard’ – the latest series in the ‘Culture@Home’ initiative. 

This week highlights local author Dr. Kuni Frith and her popular book, “Bermudian Folk Remedies-Using Medical Botanicals for Common Ailments”.

Bermuda has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to transparency and regulatory excellence over the years to build a reputation as a good place to do quality business. Considerable time and resources have been, and continue to be, invested in developing and implementing strong and robust legislative and operational frameworks to ensure compliance with international requirements.    

Regarding the deportation of Brittonie Taylor, this matter is currently before the Courts, and the Government will limit its public comments to ensure this matter is not prejudiced.

As a standard operational procedure, when it is: i) more economical; ii) logistically appropriate; or iii) a specific security threat, the Department of Immigration will utilise a portion of its appropriated budget for deportations to engage a private jet, as has been done in the past.

The Ministry of Labour seeks to inform the public of the three month extension of the closed job categories.

Due to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bermuda and its impact on persons unable to work, the Department of Immigration wishes to advise the public that the moratorium on issuing new Work Permits for the below Closed Categories per section 3.6 of the currently published Work Permit Policy has been extended an additional three (3) months until July 31, 2021.  

Minister of Finance, the Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson, JP, MP, today announced that ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed Bermuda’s A+ long-term sovereign credit and senior unsecured debt ratings as well as its A-1 short-term rating and its AA+ transfer and convertibility assessment as “Stable.”

The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors will host an online panel discussion entitled “Holistic Wellness, Community Chat” on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. live on Facebook, YouTube, CITV and Bernews.

Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP said, “As a follow-up to our collaboration in March with professionals who work with persons with Dementia-related conditions, we received requests from caregivers and families to hold information sessions to discuss holistic health and well-being.” 

The Ministry of Health received 1260 test results since the last update, and 12 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.0 %.

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

The additional five 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 31 recoveries and no deaths.

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.