Government

Good afternoon,

I’m joined by Dr. Mark Guishard, Director of the Bermuda Weather Service.

Earlier today, the Emergency Measures Organisation met to get the latest update on the winter storm which is expected to affect Bermuda throughout the day tomorrow. 

We’re not expecting a significant disruption of public services, but out of an abundance of caution, we want to ensure that we are prepared for any and every eventuality and make the best decisions in the interest of public safety. 

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently attended the virtual Fourth Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Good evening Bermuda,

As I begin my remarks this evening, my thoughts are with the family of the late Financial Secretary, Mr. Anthony Manders, as the family prepare to lay him to rest tomorrow. His passing is a tremendous loss to Bermuda. He was a truly dedicated public officer who gave his all in service for his country and he will truly be missed.

Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP released the September 2020 Retail Sales Index.

In September 2020, the overall volume of local retail sales increased by 5.9%. This compares to the previous year’s local retail sales which reported a volume decrease of 5.1% as outlined in the Department of Statistics’ September retail sales report.

For the safety and security of the travelling public, the Ministry of Transport wishes to remind the public that unlike public service vehicles such as taxi cab services, private vehicles used for hire are unregulated, and as such, have the potential to put riders at risk.

Due to the unregulated nature of private vehicles used for this purpose, they:

·         Are not required to be maintained to public service vehicle safety standards;

·         Do not have passenger insurance should there be in an accident; and

Good Afternoon,

There were 543 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and two were positive for COVID-19. Both of the new cases are classified as imported. The first case is a resident who arrived on S46227 from the Azores on 16 January 2021 and tested positive on their day 8 test. The second case is a resident who arrived on B62231 from New York on 24 January 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test

Additionally, since the last update, six cases have recovered.

There are currently 30 active cases, of which;

With the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) forecasting gale and storm force winds this week, the Ministry of National Security is advising residents to take the necessary safety precautions around their homes. This includes securing any lawn furniture, outdoor potted plants, garbage bins or any other items that can be blown around during the high winds.

There were 1689 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Additionally, since the last update, 12 cases have recovered.

There are currently 34 active cases, of which;

· 29 are under public health monitoring and

· Five are in hospital with none in critical care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 686 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 640 persons have recovered, and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

“As I had reported previously, The Ministry of Health has been working with the medical community to identify suitable locations to serve as additional vaccine centres prior to the arrival of the next batch of vaccines. This is necessary as it will allow the ministry to dramatically increase the number of vaccines we are able to administer on a daily basis and will provide residents with more convenient options to get vaccinated.

Please be reminded that those travelling to the United Kingdom are currently subject to travel regulations to reduce the spread of COVID19.

Travellers to the UK must isolate for 10 days upon arrival and are also required to provide:

1. Evidence of a negative COVID19 test
2. Passenger Locator Form

In accordance with UK regulations failure to provide proof of a negative test or a failure to complete the passenger locator form are offences for which you may be fined, and you may not be allowed to board the flight.

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

I am joined here today by the Minister of Public Works. Lt. Col. David Burch.

In today’s press conference I will share with you the Ministry of Labour’s policy proposals in support of Bermuda’s economic development. I will also provide an update on the Wage Commission’s living and minimum wage initiative as well as the Unemployment Insurance Program to be established for the future.

Immigration

Firstly, let me speak about Immigration.

Good Afternoon – 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.

The Department of Workforce Development invites college and university students to apply for the 2021 Summer Employment Programme.  

Internship applicants must hold Bermudian status and be enrolled full time at an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Successful interns can expect to gain well-rounded career exposure with practical hands-on-experience in the Government, Private, and Non-Profit sectors.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP, is pleased to notify the public that the Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) will be conducting a survey to obtain information on adult drug-use in Bermuda. The survey data will be used to monitor the nature and magnitude of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in our community; and will assess public opinion on an array of drug-related issues.

Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, presented grants to six (6) local community clubs and organisations, totalling $151,700, which will support youth programs and assist with capital upgrades. The initiative is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to supporting the community efforts of local organisations.

Joining Premier Burt for the cheque presentations were, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets, JP, Lovitta Foggo, JP, MP, Neville Tyrrell, JP, MP, and Kim Swan, JP, MP.

Cheques were presented to the following organisations:

The Ministry of Education is expecting a broad cross section of Bermuda’s public will come out to participate in a series of consultation meetings, beginning this week, to discuss the Proposal for the Introduction of Parish Primary Schools.

Due to COVID-19, these meetings will be held virtually via the ZOOM video-conferencing app on the following dates and times: 

Good day.

There were 601 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, since the last update, five cases have recovered.

There are currently 49 active cases, of which;

·         44 are under public health monitoring and

·         Five are in hospital with none in critical care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 686 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 625 persons have recovered, and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

Today the Department of Immigration provided new guidelines for visitor extensions. 

The Department reminded the public that as of August 1, 2020, the Bermuda Government increased the maximum length of stay for all Tourist Visitors to a maximum of 180 days; at the end of which, visitors are expected to depart Bermuda. 

The Department of Immigration notes that visitors wishing to remain in Bermuda beyond the maximum period allowed should submit an application requesting permission to reside on an annual basis.

Good day.

There were 540 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and two were positive for COVID-19. One of the new cases is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on S46226 from Azores on 11 January 2021 and tested positive on their day eight test. The second new case is classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with a known case.

Additionally, since the last update, nine cases have recovered.

There are currently 54 active cases, of which;

Good day, thank you for joining me.

I want to open today by stating that this Government and my Ministry are deeply committed to sport in the country. Sport is considered one of the bedrocks of our community and we fully recognize and embrace the critical role that sport plays in the social, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in Bermuda. 

Good afternoon all, and thank you for joining us.

As the Premier announced earlier this week, we have updated the COVID-19 Regulations. The changes took effect today. As a reminder for the public here’s what is now in place. After consultation with the Ministry of Health, the following changes have been agreed:

Group gatherings of persons in a private or public setting will increase from a maximum of 10 to a maximum of 25 people – this also includes outdoor funerals.

Government House is advising that the “HMS MEDWAY” will arrive in Bermuda tomorrow (Friday Jan. 22) morning in preparation for the Royal Navy ship’s second year deployed on Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North).

The Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo [BAMZ] will be reopening to the public on Monday, 25 January 2021, after closing to the public since 12 December 2020.

A spokesperson said, “BAMZ will reopen the whole facility to members of the public, members and overseas visitors. We wish to thank our patrons for their patience as we navigate the challenges associated with the pandemic to keep our staff healthy and by extension ensure the continued care for our animal collections.

There were 875 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, since the last update, eight cases have recovered.

There are currently 61 active cases, of which;

• 56 are under public health monitoring and
• Five are in hospital with none in critical care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 684 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 611 persons have recovered, and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

Good Afternoon and Welcome to the media,

On behalf of the BRSC, I would like to take this opportunity to offer condolences to the families of both road traffic victims this year.

Good Morning and Welcome,

This morning I will provide an update on the following topics:

• Consultation on the Proposal for the Introduction of Parish Primary Schools

• Public and parish consultation meetings 

• Ministry of Education 2021 scholarship and awards.

Good Evening Bermuda,

Last week the Government was pleased to announce the beginning of our vaccination programme, with the Ministry of Health beginning distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Monday, January 11 th to elderly residents 80 years and over, the clinically vulnerable, frontline healthcare workers and essential workers such as police officers, teachers, and others.

Good afternoon and thank you for joining us.

Today, I will cover two areas in my remarks; the Pre-Budget Report and the Fiscal Responsibility Panel 2020 Annual Assessment.

This past year has been challenging, to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented level of economic hardship for Bermuda and its people and caused a significant decline in Government revenues. 

The Pre-Budget Report

Good afternoon.

There were 657 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 1 was positive for COVID-19. 

The new case is classified as imported with details as follows:

• 1 resident who arrived on AA 308 from Miami on 17 January 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test

There have also been 5 recoveries.

Bermuda now has 684 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows.

There are 69 active cases, of which

§  63 are under public health monitoring and