Government

Good evening.

There were 1,566 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and two were positive for COVID-19.  One of the new cases is classified as local transmission with known contact as it is associated with a known case.

The additional new case is classified as under investigation. This case is among a resident with no currently identified links to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, 41 cases have recovered.

“It is appalling and grossly hypocritical that without the benefit of the full facts, both an Opposition MP and anonymous realtors would launch such an attack on a decision which has added to the safeguarding of Bermuda’s children. The facts are that the consolidation of the DCFS into one location will better serve the children of Bermuda.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP extends condolences, “On behalf of the Ministry of Education, to the family of the late, Mr. Earl “Gabby” Hart.   

Good evening:

There were 1,925 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 18 were positive for COVID-19. 

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

Ø  1 non-resident who arrived on B6203 from Boston on 26 December 2020 and tested positive on their day 4 test.

Ø  2 residents who arrived on BA2233 from London on 30 December 2020 and tested positive on their arrival test.

Ø  1 non-resident who arrived via private jet on 27 December 2020 and tested positive on their day 4 test.

The Ministry of Education wishes to remind our stakeholders that Public Schools will continue with remote learning from January 5 to January 12, 2021. 

The Education Emergency Measures Committee (EEMC) will meet during the week of January 4^th to determine any adjustments that will be made as of January 13^th, 2021.  

Her Majesty, The Queen, has recognized the following Bermudians in her annual New Year’s Honours List:

Queen’s Certificate & Badge of Honour:

Ø  Meredith Andrews for services to the environment.

Ø  Nikita Robinson for services to the community in broadcasting.

Good afternoon everyone and good afternoon to members of the media who are here for today’s press conference.

I am Walter Roban the Acting Premier, sitting in for the Premier David Burt who is currently taking a well-deserved break.

I am joined today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson and the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming.

Good Afternoon Bermuda, 

I hope you all managed to find your own way to make Christmas feel special this year.

This weekend I was saddened to confirm that Bermuda had experienced our tenth COVID-19-related death.

I know that the loss of another ‘one of our own’ to COVID-19 came as devastating news to our entire community over the Holiday Weekend, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of the deceased during this extremely difficult time.

I will now provide today’s daily statistics…

Good evening Bermuda,

This evening, I will address occurrences during the Christmas holiday and emphasize our need to continue to act responsibly during the looming New Year’s celebrations.

First, I wish to thank all of Bermuda for making responsible decisions and taking the necessary precautions to protect them and their families. Generally, we had a relatively peaceful holiday period.

This is a testament to our residents who adhered to the health guidelines and advisories which encouraged people to celebrate in small bubbles this holiday season.

Bermuda’s gombey troupes have worked with Government to agree on a plan to provide their traditional performances in a non-traditional way on New Year’s Day, in order to keep the public safe from the spread of Covid-19.

The troupes have agreed to forego their usual large performances in public places or marching along public roads where crowds will gather and follow.  Instead, they will offer short, physically-distanced pop-up performances in various small neighbourhoods throughout New Year’s Day.

Good Day Members of the Media,

There were 2805 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 14 were positive for COVID-19. 

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

Today the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming expressed concern about last night’s shooting and offered the following.

Minister Ming said, “Regrettably our holiday was marred by a firearms incident. Thankfully the injuries weren’t life threatening. However it is still extremely concerning that the peace of the holiday was disturbed in this way. I have been updated about the matter by the Bermuda Police Service, and last evening on behalf of the Gang Violence Reduction Team (GVRT), Pastor Leroy Bean visited the hospital to check on the victim and his family. 

The Ministry of Health is saddened to confirm that, regrettably, Bermuda has experienced a COVID-19-related death today. This now takes the total number of COVID-19 deaths to ten.

Today, the Acting Premier, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, wishes to extend a full apology on behalf of the Government to Bermuda’s Gombey Troupes, following an inadvertent miscommunication regarding holiday performances.

The Acting Premier said, “Today we had a very fruitful discussion with our Gombey leaders and we’re grateful they took the time to meet with us. We appreciate comments earlier this week contributed to unanticipated confusion for the troupes and members of the community. 

Good Day, 

There were 1187 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and eight were positive for COVID-19. 

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

The remaining new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified links to other known cases or clusters or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Additionally, 17 cases have recovered since the last update.

The Department of Works and Engineering’s Waste Management Section advises the public that due toongoing delays in household waste collection, please note the following service updates.

Yesterday’s collection of both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s waste will be completed today.

We started 2020 with worrying news. News of people we did not know; suffering in cities most of us had never heard of. When sometimes it seems like there is so much going wrong in the world, speaking personally, it can be all too easy to disengage. If there is one thing that 2020 has taught us, it is just how connected we all are and just how much we benefit from those connections. 

Earlier this week, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets, JP, visited the newly refurbished basketball courts at Shelly Bay and Olive Bank, also know as the Jones’ Village Community Field.

Minister Peets commended the collaboration between the Department of Youth Sports and Recreation and the MoonGate Group for making the project a reality. 

Good Day Members of the Media,

There were 1257 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and none were positive for COVID-19. 

30 cases have recovered since the last update.

Bermuda continues to have 553 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows.

The Minister of Health the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP today issued the following statement:

Good Evening Bermuda: 

Last week Friday, the impact of the island-wide outage went far beyond the loss of electricity. Government is aware and sensitive to the fact that many businesses lost revenue as a result of their forced closure which also had an adverse effect on their staff who would have also lost wages as well.  

This unforeseen occurrence has undoubtedly added to the current hardships being experienced by all residents, businesses and employees, due to the pandemic. The Government empathizes with all who were affected.

Good Afternoon,

There were 1000 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and six were positive for COVID-19. 

Three of the new cases are classified as imported – all were residents with pre-arrival tests who arrived on BA2233 from London on 16 December 2020 and testing positive on their day 4 test.

One of the new cases is classified as local transmission with known contact/source as associated with a known case. 

Good evening Bermuda, and welcome members of the media.

I am joined today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban and the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming. My colleagues will provide an update from their respective ministries. Following that, I will give an update on matters related to the coronavirus.

Minister of Health.