Government

Good Afternoon Bermuda

This afternoon, I will provide an overview of the Ministry of Education’s Throne Speech priorities and areas of focus. 

This year’s Throne Speech’s theme: Rebuilding Bermuda with Bermudians at Heart communicates the basis and foundation of all of the Government’s legislative priorities for this session of the House of Assembly.  At the heart of rebuilding Bermuda is public education. The Government acknowledges that:

Bermuda’s young people must feel the investment of their homeland in their success. 

There were 1230 test results received by the Ministry of Health 10-11 November 2020, and five were positive for COVID-19. 

Four of these recent cases are classified as imported and one as local transmission with known contact, with details as follows:

There were 811 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (9 November 2020), and one was positive for COVID-19. 

The most recent case is classified as imported. They were a returning resident who arrived on AA 308 from Miami on 8 November who tested positive on their arrival test, having not had a pre-departure test.

Bermuda now has 215 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is 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 provide an update to the public on the latest from her Ministry. Following that, I will give an update on matters related to how the Government is doing all we can to support persons while reminding us of the measures of what we must all continue to do to stay safe in light of the Coronavirus.

Minister of Health.

Thank you, Minister Wilson.

Good Afternoon. 

Following the November 6th Speech from the Throne, I would like to highlight upcoming initiatives which fall under my remit as Minister of Home Affairs. 

The first is consumer protections for loans and mortgages. I will soon be introducing legislation that ensures new home owners and existing mortgage holders have enhanced protections for loans and mortgages. 

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

In today’s press conference I will speak on four (4) topics:

1. Introduction of a Living Wage;
2. Execution of Financial Assistance Reform;
3. Implementation of Unemployment Insurance;
4. Introduction of an Economic Investment Certificate.

Living Wage

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

In today’s press conference I will speak on four (4) topics:

1. Introduction of a Living Wage;
2. Execution of Financial Assistance Reform;
3. Implementation of Unemployment Insurance;
4. Introduction of an Economic Investment Certificate.

Living Wage

The Bermuda Post Office (BPO) is advising that mail to and from the United Kingdom will be affected due to the UK’s COVID-19 border closure.

It is expected that the UK mail delays will last until the beginning of December 2020, or until the UK borders reopen.

The BPO notes that if residents wish their letter and parcel mail to reach the UK in time for the Christmas holiday, they are strongly advised to have their mail dropped off to the General Post Office and/or the Devonshire Post Office by 12.00pm tomorrow November 10, 2020.

Earlier today, during a ceremony at Government House Dr. Ernest Peets was Sworn-In as the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports.

His Excellency, the Governor, John Rankin administered the oath of office.

Dr. Peets said, “This appointment is something for which I am very grateful. All of my skills, education and experience have culminated wonderfully for this particular ministry. I pledge to give the people of Bermuda 110 percent.”

Good Afternoon,

This past Friday, the Bermuda Government set out our legislative agenda, which continues our in keeping with our 2020 General Election Platform. 

The main areas of focus of my remarks today, will be the Ministry of Finance Throne Speech initiatives. At the end of my remarks I will give an update on the Fairmont Southampton redundancies. 

I will begin with the reform of banking laws to assist with the harmonization of the Bermuda base rate charged by local banks: 

Good afternoon members of the media and the public viewing live. 
On Friday, November the 6, this Government presented the 2020 Throne Speech, which detailed how in this first legislative year we will advance the Agenda that earned overwhelming support at the polls. We will continue to invest in our young people, we will continue to protect our seniors and vulnerable, and we will continue our focus on growing our economy and creating economic opportunity for Bermudians. 

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to inform the public that the Ministry of Public Works will carry out emergency embankment & wall repairs along Harbour Road in the vicinity of Burnt House Hill and Tamarind Vale Street.

The investigation & repair works will commence immediately and the westbound lane has been closed due to the lane collapsing.

The emergency lane closure will take place during Monday November 9^th 2020 through to Friday December 18^th 2020. Working hours will be from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm week days.

There were 2235 test results received by the Ministry of Health from 6-8 November, and five were positive for COVID-19. 

These most recent cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

There were 834 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (5 November 2020), and two were positive for COVID-19.  These most recent cases are classified as imported having arrived together on BA 2233 from London on 27 October 2020.

Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP today announced the appointment of Dr. Ernest Peets as a Senator and Government Leader in the Senate. “I am extremely pleased that Dr. Peets has accepted this appointment and look forward to working with him as he joins this committed and dynamic Government team.” Dr. Peets is a Certified Family Therapist, and an internationally certified Addiction and Drug Counselor. Ernest is also a Professional Member of the American Counselors Association, and the American Psychological Association.

There were 556 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (4 November 2020), and one was positive for COVID-19. 

This most recent case is classified as imported having arrived on BA 2233 from London on 27 October 2020. This case is a returning resident who is asymptomatic and had both a negative pre-arrival test  and arrival test. This case has been in quarantine since arrival as is also a close contact of a known case from the same flight. 

Bermuda now has 207 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

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.