Government

The Ministry, including the Labour Relations Section, has been engaged in mediation efforts over the last few days, pertaining to the industrial dispute between Stevedoring Services Limited and the Bermuda Industrial Union.  It now appears that the parties remain at an impasse with no further progress being made.

Therefore, in accordance with Section 11 as read with Section 4 of the Labour Disputes Act 1992 the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Jason P. Hayward, JP, MP has referred the said dispute for settlement to the Labour Disputes Tribunal (Tribunal).

Good Afternoon, 

Given the increase in new cases over the past few days and understandable concern in the community, I wanted to address you all today to provide an update and answer any questions that you may have.

There were 2044 test results received by the Ministry of Health from 20-22 November 2020, and eight were positive for COVID-19. It should be noted that this includes the cases reported on Saturday/Sunday.

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

The Ministry of Public Works advises the Public that effective 5:00 pm on Sunday, 29 November, the Department of Parks 2020 Season Lifeguard Service will end.

The Park Ranger service will continue patrolling south shore parks, however, there will be no stationary presence.

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to inform motorists that the MarketPlace Ltd. will be holding a Christmas Parade from the MarketPlace in Shelly Bay on North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish to the MarketPlace in Heron Bay, Middle Road, Southampton.

The Christmas Parade is to take place on Sunday, November 29th, 2020 from 5:00 pm until approximately 7:30 pm. It will consist of up to 20 vehicles that will travel as a procession under escort from the Bermuda Police Service.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes to avoid the Christmas Parade.

Today Premier, the Hon E David Burt JP, MP, invited Bermuda to turn its attention to online shopping and to benefit from the multitude of opportunities that will be available to them on eMonday 2020, slated for November 30^th.  eMonday was first launched in 2010 during Global Entrepreneurship Week as an online initiative aimed at encouraging residents to “Shop Local.”  Its goal remains to support the development of local e-commerce business in Bermuda. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is investigating a recent incident involving protected parrotfish at the east end of the island.

Parrotfish have been legally protected since 1993 and it is an offence under the Fisheries Act 1972 to take, kill and/or sell parrotfish, with a penalty of up to a $50,000 fine and two years’ imprisonment.

Good Evening Bermuda.

I can confirm that currently two potential COVID-19 outbreaks concerning work places are actively being assessed and managed based on established protocols.

Contact tracing is underway, and public health guidance has been provided. More details will be provided as they become available.

A lot of misinformation has been occupying social media all weekend concerning our school systems and recent cases. 

Good evening Bermuda.

I will give you an update on the status of schools as there has been misinformation circulating in the community this weekend.

The Department of Health has directed principals that specific classes and staff have to quarantine at the following schools:

Today, the Ministry of Health can confirm that two new positive COVID-19 cases have been identified.

Both are residents – one symptomatic and one asymptomatic – with no history of travel.

One of the newly identified positive cases has a close contact that is associated with a school, who has now become symptomatic.

The two positive cases are currently under investigation by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, with the necessary case isolation and contact tracing already underway.

AML-ATF Ministerial Advisory 2/2020: Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing controls in higher risk jurisdictions

Requirement to apply Enhanced Due Diligence for higher risk jurisdictions

The Minister of Legal Affairs, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP today issued AML-ATF Advisory 2/2020 about the risks in a number of jurisdictions arising from inadequate systems and controls to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Yesterday, there were 593 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and one was positive for COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health can confirm that the most recent case is in a symptomatic resident with no history of travel and remains under investigation by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.

Case isolation and contact tracing is already underway and it has been determined that the newly identified positive case has a close contact that is associated with a school, who has now become symptomatic.

The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) would like to advise the travelling public of an interruption in the public bus service from 10:00am to 1:00pm today, Friday 20^th November 2020.

This is to facilitate a Department meeting on COVID-19 guidance for public transportation and the proposed electric buses for Bermuda.

DPT will restore service as promptly as possible following the meeting and thanks the public for their patience.

The Department of Parks advises the public that due to an increase in short-notice requests for Special Park Permits, all applications must be received at a minimum of two weeks in advance of the event date. 

The public is aware that COVID-19 has significantly reduced the number of residents travelling overseas. This has led to increased use of the parks, beaches, forts, and buildings at the Botanical Gardens for various functions and events. 

ROUTES:

Cycle Race Route

Adults 

Wednesday November 18th, 2020 – Until Further Notice

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to inform motorists that the ongoing Harrington Sound trenching project in Hamilton Parish will require a full road closure due to severe flooding. This road closure will be on Harrington Sound Road between Rocky Ridge Road and Sommersall Road.

This road closure will be in effect day-and-night until the source of the flooding can be identified and the trench backfilled and paved.

Good Afternoon Bermuda, 

It is my pleasure to address you officially, for the first time, as Minister of Social Development and Seniors.

Throughout my career as an Occupational Therapist, I have had the pleasure of serving persons from across our community and have seen the needs of our people firsthand when it comes to healthcare and social issues.

There is no greater honour for me than to be able to use the skills and knowledge learned throughout my career to bring about change where it is needed most.

There were 471 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (17 November 2020), and one was positive for COVID-19. 

This most recent case is classified as local transmission with a known contact with details as follows:

• 1 resident who became symptomatic having been under quarantine since 12 November 2020, as they were a household contact of an imported case. (The imported case is a resident, who arrived on 7 November 2020 and tested positive on their Day 4 test).

Bermuda now has 224 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Good evening Bermuda, and welcome members of the media who have joined us here at A. B. Place this evening.

I am joined 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 changes to our rules surrounding travel to the island. Following that I will give an update on matters related to our border opening and training opportunities that are available to Bermudians so that they may reenter the workplace. First the Minister of Health. Minister.

Thank you, Minister Wilson.

Good Evening Members of the Media, 

Yesterday, there were 1,483 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Bermuda has had 223 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

The Ministry of Public Works can advise that following routine maintenance on the Toyota Corolla assigned to the Cabinet Office, the GP1 license plate was erroneously switched to the Toyota Corolla. Once the error was realized, it was immediately resolved by placing the 31445 license plate back on the Corolla.

Good afternoon:

The Government today announced that Mr. Raymond Jones, CPA has been appointed the Director of the Department of Economic Development. Mr. Jones, a Certified Public Accountant, joins the newly created department following a thorough recruitment process. Mr. Jones brings strong leadership, a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post including seven years at the Bermuda Economic Development Corp (BEDC) as the Finance Director.