Government

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.”

Government House is pleased to announce that the VFS Global team will be returning to the island 3rd & 4th Novermber for all persons requiring biometric testing.

The online booking system is open for customers to book appointments for visas. Online applications can be found at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-

immigration.

Due to COVID – 19 restrictions we are unable to facilitate walk-in appointments.

Good afternoon,

I wanted to have this briefing today because I think it’s becoming critically important to reinforce some of the guidelines for large group gatherings and the approval process for such events. 

Additionally, we have seen a number of events and activities taking place over the last few months, and there has been concerns raised that individuals at these events are not following the appropriate guidelines. 

The Department of Marine and Ports Services is advising the public that the 2020/2021 winter ferry schedule will come into effect on Monday, November 2^nd 2020.

As a reminder, in an effort to provide adequate physical distancing when travelling on public ferries, available seating remains limited to 50% of normal capacity.

When boarding, a ferry boat crew member will provide hand sanitizer and announce when the seating capacity has been reached.

All passengers must wear a personal face mask when using any form of public transportation.

Between October 23, 24 and 25, there were 2,643 test results received by the Ministry of Health and three were positive for COVID-19. These cases are classified as imported and arrived on the following flights:

Following a weekend of violence which has tragically left one man dead and two men in hospital recovering from gun shot wounds, the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming offered the following.

The Ministry of Labour can advise that it was recently made aware of a group of Fairmont Southampton hotel workers due to receive their redundancy payments today, October 23, 2020, have assembled outside of the hotel after receiving communication from their employer informing them that their redundancy payments will be delayed. These events are most unfortunate, particularly in the current economic climate.

Recently, the Junior Minister of Labour, Senator Arianna Hodgson gave opening remarks in support of the employers and job-seekers at the Fairmont Southampton Career Fair. 

Held on Tuesday, 20 October, and organized by the Fairmont Southampton Talent and Culture Team, the event held exclusively for the former hotel staff, had over 10 employers participating and looking to hire additional staff.  

The Junior Minister met with employers and chatted with job-seekers about their plans, goals, and ambitions. 

Yesterday, there were 996 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and 2 were positive for COVID-19. The most recent cases are classified as imported having arrived on BA2233 from London on October 17^th  2020. Case isolation and contact tracing has begun. The cases are symptomatic residents who received a positive test result on their Day 4 test, having had a negative pre-departure test.  

Bermuda now has 190 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Hamilton, Bermuda, October 22, 2020 – Premier the Hon. E. David Burt, the Minister responsible for Tourism, today announced that MP Wayne Caines, will be the next Chair of the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) Board of Directors, effective immediately. MP Caines replaces former Chair, hotelier Paul Telford, whose three-year Board term concluded this month. Kim Swan, MP for St George’s West, also joins the BTA Board.

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming, JP, MP, provided the following update regarding Hurricane Epsilon.

Minister Ming said, “The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) determined that a meeting wasn’t required today, however I can advise that we’ve been keeping a close eye on the forecast track of Hurricane Epsilon.

Yesterday, there were 588 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

 Bermuda now has 188 total confirmed positive cases with status as follows:

• 4 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 175 have recovered, and
• the total deceased remains 9.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 9 to 101 years.

The third year of the Government’s Professional-Student Relationship Programme ended early due to the Coronavirus.  The custom completion ceremony to honour collaborators and participants was unable to proceed; however, the Government takes this opportunity to thank all those who helped contribute to this year’s programme.