Government

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the tabling of two critical pieces of legislation:

• The Employment Amendment Act 2020; and
• The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2020.

The public will know what the overarching aim of the Ministry of Labour is the expansion of jobs within Bermuda.  The Government previously announced that it would introduce amendments to the Employment Act and a consolidated Labour Act.

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 1239 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (9 December 2020), and 24 were positive for COVID-19. 

14 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source as associated with known cases or clusters.

The remaining 10  new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no history of travel or any currently identified links to other known cases or clusters.

Bermuda now has 364 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Madame President, I would like to, today, update Honourable members on the efforts to improve the Government’s capability to address illegal fishing and the resultant offenses against our most threatened protected marine species and habitats.  These species, help make Bermuda the unique gem, that we know and every effort must be made to protect them from illegal activities such as poaching and willful damage and destruction.

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 762 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (8 December 2020), and 10 were positive for COVID-19. 

7 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source with details as follows:

Earlier tonight, we received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer who has directed that all students, teachers and staff of CedarBridge Academy School be quarantined for 14 days. This means that they must stay home from all activities, for 14 days from 4th December 2020 until and including 18th December 2020 in response to potential exposure to COVID-19.
 

Good Afternoon,

There were 929 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (7 December 2020), and 24 were positive for COVID-19. 

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

• 1 resident who arrived on DL 617 from New York on 28 November 2020 and tested positive on their day 8 test, having had a negative pre-arrival test and a negative arrival test.

16 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source with details as follows:

The Ministry of Education and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Berkeley Institute, Craig Bridgewater, today confirmed that effective today, Tuesday, December 8, the Berkeley Institute have transitioned to a remote learning environment.

The following statement was issued this evening by Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP: “I must first thank everyone in the Ministry of Health for their outstanding work. They have worked long hours and weekends for many months now. As a country, we owe them our sincere appreciation.

“The Government is concerned about the increase in the number of confirmed cases of people with the coronavirus, that is the reason that we took the actions announced last night.

Good Day Members of the Media, 

The Ministry of Health is seeking assistance from members the public regarding potential COVID-19 exposures at three locations on the weekend of November 27th/28th.

Individuals associated with the following three events and locations have tested positive for COVID-19:

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 1458 test results received by the Ministry of Health over the weekend (5-6 December 2020), and eighteen were positive for COVID-19. 

Thirteen of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source with details as follows:

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) staff are currently involved in a full-scale examination of all imported Christmas trees. This year in the absence of the overseas pre-inspection by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) staff, the local inspection process will involve a full-scale examination of all imported Christmas trees.

Today, the Ministry of Health has provided the staff, students and parents of Dellwood Middle School with an update on actions that are to be taken by the Dellwood family. These actions relate to the 14-day quarantine; COVID-19 retesting; further assessments by the Department of Health.

The Chief Medical Officer is reminding that all students, teachers and staff of Dellwood Middle School must remain under quarantine for a total of 14 days. 

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a positive case of the COVID-19 virus at CedarBridge Academy. The Ministry of Education will now execute our new protocol when we are informed of a positive test result in a school and close the school until the Ministry of Health completes its risk assessment.

All students, teachers and staff of CedarBridge Academy are to be excluded from the school from Monday, 7^th December, 2020 until further notice. Once further instructions are received from the Ministry of Health, we will provide an update.

Good Day Members of the Media, 

The Ministry of Health is advising that, as of today (December 5, 2020), bars and clubs are now required to close at midnight, rather than 2am as was previously permitted.

The BERMUDA PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 EMERGENCY POWERS) (NO. 3) AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2020, which were published in the Official Gazette today, amend Regulation 5 to replace the time of “2am” to now read “midnight”.

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 1062 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (4 December 2020), and ten were positive for COVID-19. 

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

• 1 resident who arrived on DL 617  from New York on 29 November 2020 and tested positive on their day 4 test, having had a negative pre-arrival test and a negative arrival test

Four of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact with details as follows:

The Ministry of Health has determined the next steps that are to be taken for Clearwater staff and students who have been out of the school building since December 1st, while a risk assessment was being conducted by the Department of Health.

Mr. Speaker, 

This morning I rise before this Honourable House to provide an interim report on the annual Government Tuition Grant of $300,000 given to the Bermuda College for financial support to students; and, to share information on the College Promise ‘Merit Award’ programme.  

Mr. Speaker,

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, 

As the world’s efforts to eradicate the coronavirus focus increasingly on the manufacture and distribution of approved vaccines, all of us in Bermuda need to centre our immediate efforts on containing the pandemic on our shores. 

There were 678 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (2 December 2020), and six were positive for COVID-19. 

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

• 1 resident who arrived on DL 617  from New York on 2 December 2020 and tested positive on their arrival test, having not had a pre-test

Two of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact with details as follows:

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 682 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (2 December 2020), and five were positive for COVID-19. 

Two of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

Bermuda’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Ayoola Oyinloye has today directed that all teachers, students and staff be excluded from school for the rest of this week.

Good afternoon.

The Salvation Army has been active in Bermuda since 1896 when Adjutant Lutie Desbrisay first unfurled the Army flag. Over the last 124 years, their presence on the island has grown to many subdivisions and an extensive social services network which provide:

• Meals for the Hungry;

• Groceries for those in need; 

• a  Thrift Store; and

• Fellowship to seniors. 

Without a doubt, the Salvation Army has been an essential beacon of light in Bermuda. 

Good Day Members of the Media, 

There were 498 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (1 December 2020), and five were positive for COVID-19. 

Two of the new cases (both asymptomatic) are classified as imported with details as follows:

Today the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP added her support to the upcoming Institute of Bermuda Architects virtual Lunch & Learn.

Minister Furbert stated, “This year’s theme for International Day of People with Disabilities, is ‘Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World’. On Wednesday 2 December, from 1pm – 2pm, the Institute of Bermuda Architects has designed a Zoom Lunch & Learn seminar. The topic is Access for All – Universal Design and Toilet Room Accessibility.

Good afternoon Bermuda, and welcome to members of the media who have joined us today.

I am joined, at our weekly press conference, by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, who will be providing an update to the public on the latest from her Ministry including the latest test results and proposed changes to travel requirements. Following that I will give an update on matters related to education, steps we all must take to curtail the spread of the coronavirus and an update on the WeHealth app pilot. First we will go to the Minister of Health. Minister.

Good Afternoon, remarks delivered at a press conference today by the Minister of Health the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP regarding COVID-19.

I would like to begin today by recognizing World AIDS Day, which is marked annually on December 1^st.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for us all to show support for people living with HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died from an AIDS-related illnesses and to thank those organizations who have provided crucial support services for those living with HIV/AIDS and their families.