Government

Recently the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns recognized this year’s (2020) Bermuda Government Bursary Award Recipient Ania Gilbert.

Ania is pursuing a Bachelors of Business Administration-Accounting at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Dr. Binns also extended special congratulations to this year’s graduating Bursary Award students.

Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us today for an update on Hurricane Teddy. I am joined by Ms. Kelly Trott of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team.

We also have the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, Dr. Mark Guishard with us on the call. Dr. Guishard, please give us an update on Hurricane Teddy.

Following this afternoon’s Emergency Measures Organization meeting, I can report:

Public Works structural engineers inspected the Causeway this afternoon and reported that it is structurally sound. The Causeway reopened this afternoon.

Following today’s EMO press conference, here is an update on the bus and ferry service:

The public bus and school bus service is now scheduled to resume normal operations on Tuesday, 22 September.   

The Ministry can further advise that the ferry service is suspended but will resume operations at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, 22 September.

The Ministry thanks the team at the Department of Public Transportation and would like to extend its thanks to the Department of Parks and the Royal Bermuda Regiment for their help with the resumption of bus service.

• The COVID-19 hotline will re-open Tuesday 22^nd September at 9 am.
• Perot testing facility will re-open Tuesday 22^nd September at 10 am.
• Persons that missed their COVID-19 test on Monday 21^st September due to the hurricane will receive an email notification to attend Perot on Tuesday with a new time. If persons are unable to receive emails at this time, please contact the COVID-19 hotline at 444-2498 on Tuesday 22^nd September between the hours of 9 am to 9 pm for assistance on their rescheduled times.

The Minister for National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming, JP, MP  stated, “The structural engineers have inspected the Causeway and report it is structurally sound. During the EMO meeting this afternoon, we made the decision to reopen the Causeway.  Current weather forecasts indicate the winds will increase overnight, however these higher winds are not expected to impact travel on the Causeway.

Perot testing facility will close Monday due to the hurricane and further notice will be given regarding Tuesday.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media. With me today is Kelly Trott from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation team. On the phone is Dr. Mark Guishard of the Bermuda Weather Service. He will give the latest weather update. You will note from his remarks that there has been a change in the approach of Hurricane Teddy. Dr. Guishard.

During today’s Emergency Measures Organization meeting I received an update on Bermuda’s readiness for the impact of Hurricane Teddy passing by Bermuda and the following decisions have been made.

Today there were 523 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 180 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 5 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 166 have recovered, and
• the total deceased remains 9.
   

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 57 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 10 to 101 years.

Bermuda, it was only last week that we began putting in place our emergency systems and protocols for Hurricane Paulette. And here we are again – a mere seven days later preparing to navigate through another hurricane. Bermuda, I know that the thought of having to deal with back to back storms against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic can cause extreme anxiety for some, but thankfully our emergency protocols are well-rehearsed.

Several shipwreck related documentaries produced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in conjunction with Dr. Philippe Rouja and his team, have been featured on well-known international media channels and programmes.

Dr. Rouja – who is the Principal Scientist for Marine Heritage and Ocean Human Health as well as Bermuda’s Custodian of Historic Wrecks – is delighted with the positive media exposure.

Bermuda is pleased to join the rest of the world in celebrating the first International Equal Pay Day, where we strive for change in the workplace by highlighting unjust practices and take the necessary steps to ensure equal pay for equal work.

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming will chair an Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) today (Sept. 18) to get the latest update on hurricane Teddy.

Hurricane Teddy is currently a threat to the island, and the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) indicates that Teddy is expected to make a close approach early Monday morning.

Today there were 626 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Bermuda has had 178 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 5 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 164 have recovered,
• the total deceased remains 9, and

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 57 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 10 to 101 years.

All public pre, primary, middle and senior schools, in addition to DAME and Success Academy will be open for our students tomorrow, Thursday, September 16^th, 2020.

All students are to report to school in uniform, at 8:30 am, ready to participate in the entry screening, which involves taking temperatures and responding to four COVID-19 questions.