Local News From Every Source
The Ministry of Public Works is advising that for the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s holidays, waste collection days will change for the weeks of December 21 and 28.
For the week of December 21, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s waste will both be collected on Wednesday, and Friday’s waste will be collected on Thursday. All other waste collection will remain unchanged.
Good Afternoon,
There were 2747 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 25 were positive for COVID-19.
Four of the new cases are classified as imported, all testing positive on their arrival test, with details as follows
Good afternoon Bermuda, and welcome members of the media.
I am joined today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, who will be providing an update to the public on the latest from her Ministry as her and her team lead the fight against this surge of the Coronavirus on our shores. Following that I will make brief comments on what is needed from all of us in order to contain this outbreak and the steps and help that is available to persons if they may need assistance.
Minister of Health.
Good Afternoon Members of Media and the Bermudian Public.
On Friday I provided my colleagues in Parliament with an update on the Education Reform of Bermuda’s Public Education System.
Our education system is at a crossroads and a shift is needed. We must do things differently for our children and the future of this Island. Change is inevitable and change is forthcoming for our public-school system.
This morning (Dec. 14), Her Excellency, Ms. Rena Lalgie was sworn-in as the Governor of Bermuda during a closed event held at Government House.
Those in attendance included the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. David Burt JP MP, the Chief Justice, the Hon Justice Narinder Hargun, JP, and the Secretary to the Cabinet, Maj Marc T. Telemaque, LVO, ED, JP, pmsc.
All necessary health guidelines and precautions were observed in the carrying out of the swearing in.
There were 2181 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 40 were positive for COVID-19.
One of the new cases is classified as imported – a non-resident who arrived via private jet from the United States on 10 December 2020 and tested positive on their arrival test.
Three of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source as associated with known cases/clusters.
Unemployment Benefits
Please note the following correction:
The correct email is: company.uba@gov.bm
The webpage for individuals is: https://uba.gov.bm
The Bermuda Government will make payments to impacted individuals no later than Thursday, 17 December, if their applications are submitted and complete by Monday, 14 December.
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to introduce to the Legislature the Report of the Treatment of Offenders Board for 2018 – 2019. This report is in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the Treatment of Offenders Board Act 1979 and Rule 170 of the Correctional Rules 1980 as per 1989 Revision.
The Treatment of Offenders Board is governed by the Prison Rules 1980, The Prison Act 1979, The Prison Amendment 2013 and the Treatment of Offenders Act 1979.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to update this Honourable House on the work of the Legal Aid Office and lay a copy of the document entitled ‘Annual Report Legal Aid Office, Fiscal period 2013 – 2019’ as submitted to the Minister by the Legal Aid Committee, in compliance with section 18 of the Legal Aid Act 1980 (“the Act”). As the document’s title denotes, it covers the 7-year period between 1st of April 2013 and the 31st of March 2020. This brings the Committee’s statutory reporting obligations up-to-date.
Good Afternoon,
There were 1157 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (10 December), and 27 were positive for COVID-19.
13 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact/source as they are associated with known cases and clusters.
The remaining 14 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 391 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:
The Minister of Finance, the Hon Curtis L. Dickinson, this week authorised unemployment benefit payments to individuals whose ability to earn an income has been directly impacted by the recent measures the government has taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These benefit payments pertain to verified full-time employees of bars and nightclubs who have had to close due to current COVID-19 restrictions. The total benefit for these persons will be $1,000 for the two week period that these restrictions are in place.
The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo [BAMZ] will be closing to the general public from Saturday, December 12th 2020 until January 1st 2021 to limit potential exposure to animals that are susceptible to coronaviruses and to ensure that the needed provision of care can be provided to its animals and fish.
Mr. Speaker, let me firstly thank you and this Honourable House for the opportunity to make this important statement at this stage in today’s proceedings.
It was nine months ago today that the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic and since that time we have witnessed a number of countries near and far wage war on the invisible but impactful virus that causes the disease we know all too well – COVID-19.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Bill entitled “Cannabis Licensing Act 2020” in this Honourable House today. This comprehensive Bill establishes the Cannabis Licensing Authority to advise and assist the Minister responsible for drug prevention in the regulation of a cannabis industry in Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update this Honourable House on the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme or BOPP.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable members may be aware that in June 2019 the Government committed to developing an integrated Marine Spatial Plan for the entirety of the two hundred (200) nautical miles of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes the inshore and offshore areas. The completion date for this project is set for the end of March 2022.
Mr. Speaker
This morning I rise to provide my Honourable colleagues with an update on the Government’s commitment to reform the Bermuda Public School System.
Mr. Speaker,
Mr Speaker
I rise today to inform this Honourable House of the preliminary plan for COVID-19 vaccination in Bermuda.
Preparations are well underway to bring COVID-19 vaccine to Bermuda and I will outline what we intend to achieve in the first rollout of the vaccine and how we will include the entire health system in our efforts to offer the vaccine to immunize Bermuda’s population against COVID-19.
Mr Speaker
Mr. Speaker,
This morning I rise to lay the 2018 – 2020 Annual Report of the Department of Financial Assistance (DFA) as prescribed by the Financial Assistance Act 2001, Section 3(4) which states: “the Director shall as soon as practicable after the end of the Government’s financial year make to the Minister and publish in such manner as he thinks appropriate a report of his activities under this Act for that year.”
Mr. Speaker,
The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) of the Ministry of Health has become aware of a potential exposure at The Berkeley Institute to someone confirmed with COVID-19. The person confirmed with COVID-19 has been isolated.
Public Bus Service Suspended Until Further Notice
The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) wishes to advise the public that the public bus service will be suspended pending advice from the Ministry of Health.
Based on an updated risk assessment and in response to potential exposure to COVID19 by the Ministry of Health, the Chief Medical Officer has today directed that all West Pembroke P1 and P2 students and associated teachers be quarantined for 14 days. This means that they must stay home from school and other activities, for 14 days from 4th December 2020 until and including 18th December 2020 in response to potential exposure to COVID-19.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the tabling of two critical pieces of legislation:
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:
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.