Government

On Friday 6 November 2020, His Excellency the Governor will read the Speech from the Throne setting out the Government’s legislative agenda.

In recognition of the 400^th anniversary of the first General Assembly being established in Bermuda in 1620, the Convening of the Legislature will take place in Town Square, St. George.

There were 409 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (3 November 2020), and none were positive for COVID-19.  Bermuda has had 206 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Good Morning, 

To “Promote and develop community gardens that can assist in meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community.”

An excerpt from the 2017 Progressive Labour Party Election Platform regarding community gardens.

I am joined today by Ms. Jameka Smith (Acting Park Planner) and Mr. Stephen Furbert (Senior Superintendent) at what is the newest community Garden – Avocado Lodge Park Community Garden.

His Excellency the Governor, John Rankin acting in his discretion in accordance with Section 27 of the Bermuda Constitution, has made the following appointments to the Senate:

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 Coronavirus and other matters from the Ministry of Health. Following that I will give an update on matters related to our economy and the Throne Speech which will take place on Friday.

Minister of Health:

Thank you Minister Wilson.

Good Afternoon, 

There were 722 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Bermuda has had 206 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

The Ministry of Public Works is advising that due to the Remembrance Day holiday on Wednesday, November 11, garbage will not be collected on that day. 

Collection days for the 11, 12, and 13 November will be shifted to the next day as follows: 

The Ministry of Transport is pleased to provide an update on investments made to enhance the Department of Public Transportation’s infrastructure and work-life experience.

The Ministry can advise that recent investments have been made to improve the existing bus fleet, including air conditioning upgrades, drivetrain refurbishments, and new driver seats. Funds have also been allocated towards infrastructure improvements, such as a new operators’ facility at the St. George’s depot and renovation of the garage staff facilities at the Ft. Langton depot, which are over 30 years old.

Following this morning’s robbery at Somers Supermart in St. George’s the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming said, “This is not the news that our community wanted to wake up to this morning.

“As the Minister of National Security, the increase in gun-related crime is extremely concerning. We have suffered through an uptick in violence over the past five weeks, and fire-arms crimes against persons are particularly heinous and only serve to tear at the core of humanity. 

Good Afternoon. 

I am pleased to report to you on initiatives within the Ministry of Home Affairs that are expected to attract investors both internationally and locally and provide jobs for Bermudians. 

Most of you would not equate the Ministry of Home Affairs as a Ministry that would create private jobs and industries. We are normally associated with controls and oversight. 

The Department of Immigration wishes to advise the public of the following additions to the list of occupational categories that are now included under Closed Category Jobs per Section 3.6 of the currently published Work Permit Policy.  The following job categories will be added to the closed job categories effective immediately and until April 30, 2021.  This shall apply to new work permit applications only and will not affect work permit renewals of existing permits:

Good day to members of the media and the listening public. Thank you for your attendance and for watching this press conference.

As you are aware the current economic crisis resulting from the Covid-19 Pandemic has led to an unprecedented job crisis world-wide, and Bermuda is no exception.  In our effort to be responsive, this Government seeks to utilize the effective implementation of labour policy to support Bermudian employment. This will be a critical component in assisting Bermuda to attain labour market stability. 

There were 2561 test results received by the Ministry of Health from 30^th October through 1^st November, and seven were positive for COVID-19.  The new cases are all classified as imported.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the Quarter 1, 2020 Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Expenditure from the Department of Statistics today.

Minister Furbert further said, “After adjusting for inflation, the GDP in constant prices for the first quarter decreased by 2.8 percent. This decline in GDP is largely attributable to the onset of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” 

Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the 2019 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) publication from the Department of Statistics (attached). 

The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) advises the public that the Central Bus Terminal kiosk will close at 3:00 pm today (Friday, October 30th) for repairs.

The kiosk is expected to resume normal operations tomorrow (Saturday, October 31^st).

The DPT apologizes to the public for the late notice and for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Registry General is today reminding the public of the process for obtaining a death certificate. In light of recent stories in the media, we would like to explain the process to avoid any unnecessary confusion for families,” said Registrar General, Aubrey Pennyman. 

“Any assertions reported in the Royal Gazette that a delay in the issuing of a death certificate can be attributed to the Registry General Department is incorrect. 

The Bermuda Airport Authority (BAA) recently confirmed that the L.F. Wade International Airport operator Skyport has submitted its latest minimum revenue guarantee certificate. 

An additional $15 million is now required to be paid by the BAA to Skyport. This funding will take the form of a further grant from the Government of Bermuda to the BAA. This is the second such payment, the first having been $5.7 million paid last month. 

Yesterday, there were 992 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and one was positive for COVID-19. This most recent case is classified as imported having arrived on BA 2233 from London on 24 October. This case is a visitor (non-resident)  who tested positive on their day 4 test and was asymptomatic. Case isolation and contact tracing has begun.

Bermuda now has 199 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Good day to members of the media and the listening public. Thank you for your attendance and for watching this press conference.

I am here today to say with confidence, that Government’s steadfast commitment to growing the economy through innovative practices is finding success. 

The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020/21 Ministry of Legal of Affairs’ Pupillage Programme. Aqueelah Simmons, Terry-Lynn Griffiths and Lorendae Symonds are the three Bermudians selected to join the one-year training programme.

The Department of Marine and Ports Services is advising that this evening, the Green Ferry route will see delays of up to ten minutes. As such, no motorbikes or cycles will be allowed on board. 

The public is also advised that the blue route is suspended for the remainder of the day and the Pink Ferry is operating normally. 

The Department of Marine and Ports Services apologises in advance for any inconvenience.

For more ferry scheduling information visit http://www.rccbermuda.bm/.

Good Afternoon and thank you for joining us today.  

One of the Government’s 2020 Platform initiatives for Education Reform states: “complete the transformation of the Bermuda Public School System…provide a more equitable education system that produces graduates who can choose either vocation or academic careers…and implement a two-tier school system with the phasing-out of middle schools and the introduction of signature schools at the secondary school level.”  

Minister for the Cabinet Office Wayne Furbert said, “In July 2020 consumers paid 1.4 per cent less than they did for the CPI basket of goods and services in July 2019.” The Minister also explained, “Between June 2020 and July 2020 the average cost of all goods and services decreased 0.5 percentage points.”