Government

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.

Good afternoon,

As we have heard from Dr Guishard, Thursday evening and most of Friday will be windy with some strong guests. As such we do need to be mindful in our everyday business like riding bikes. 

The EMO have a tentative meeting planned for Thursday afternoon, in case Hurricane Epsilon veers towards Bermuda and we have to take immediate action. 

Good afternoon,

Earlier today, the Emergency Measures Organisation met to get the latest update on Hurricane Epsilon. Hurricane Epsilon continues to be a potential threat to Bermuda, but based on the latest forecast, this weather system is expected to be similar to what Bermuda experiences during a winter gale. 

The  Department of Parks is advising that due to the high surf conditions, from 1:00 pm today until further notice, the Lifeguard Service has temporarily ceased operations at Horseshoe Bay beach. 

High surf signs have been erected, and in the interest of safety, members of the public are urged to refrain from entering the water until the signs are removed. 

The public will be advised when Lifeguard Services will resume.  

The Department thanks the public for their cooperation and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Yesterday, there were 649 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:

• 5 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 174 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.

Good Afternoon Bermuda, and welcome members of the media.

Today, I am joined today by the Minister of Health who will be providing an update to the public on the latest from her Ministry including the most recent Coronavirus test results. Following that I will give an update on matters related to the Tourism, The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, and our recently concluded Tech Week. 

Minister of Health:

Thank you minister.

The Accountant General’s Offices (including the Cashiers’ Office) will be closing at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday October 22, 2020 to allow the staff to attend the funeral of one of their colleagues. 

The offices and cashiers will re-open on Friday, 23 October at 8:30 am.

Today, the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo V. Rabain, JP, MP announced that Bermudian student, Katherine Grainge, is the recipient of a full scholarship to University of St. Andrews in Scotland.  Ms. Grainge is the first student to receive this prestigious scholarship made possible by the generous donation of long-time Bermuda resident, Mr. Chris Maybury and Mr. Karim Alibhai, founder and principal of GenCom. 

Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the July 2020 Retail Sales Index publication from the Department of Statistics (attached). 

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming, JP, MP, advised that she will chair an Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) Executive Meeting tomorrow to get the latest update on Tropical Storm Epsilon – which is forecast to become a hurricane on Thursday.

The Cabinet Office today advised that this year’s Remembrance Day observance will be a closed event. There will be no public admission to the Cabinet Office grounds and the following streets will be closed from 9:30am on 11 November:

• Front Street between Queen and King Streets.
• Parliament Street between Front and Reid Streets.
• Court Street between Front and Reid Streets.

Streets will reopen at the conclusion of the ceremony at around 12:00pm. 

The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons. JP, MP, expressed her admiration for the commitment, dedication and hard work of the 29 volunteers that completed Mirrors two and a half-day volunteer life coach training over the weekend. The new programme entitled “Coaching For Success” (CFS) will provide additional support and resources to Bermuda’s youth. 

Over Friday and Saturday, 1408 test results were received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

As of Saturday 17 October, Bermuda has had 185 total confirmed positive cases with status as follows:

Today (Sunday, 18^th October 2020) the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott JP, MP reacted to the news that Bermuda recorded two road fatalities within the last 72 hours.

“I was shocked to learn that two men have tragically lost their lives in separate fatal road collisions in the past 72 hours.

I send my sincere condolences to both men’s families on behalf of the Government of Bermuda.

While not speaking to the circumstances of either fatal collision, I wish to urge road users in general to exercise more care, caution and courtesy.

The Ministry of National Security is advising that for the remaining month of October and month of November the Department of Corrections is spearheading a Community Book Drive for inmates.

On Thursday evening the Department of Health held a graduation ceremony for the most recent graduates of their ‘Eat Grow Save’ initiative with lead instructor Chaplin Kevin Santucci.

Premier, the Hon E. David Burt, JP, MP, today announced that the Attorney-General, Kathy L. Simmons, JP, MP, will serve as the acting Minister of Community Affairs and Sports. Minister Simmons will act until a substantive minister is appointed, which will happen before the convening of Parliament.

Yesterday evening the Minister of Health the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP attended the formal ribbon cutting ceremony for WindReach Bermuda’s new Adult Day Centre.  

The Centre will serve as a base for their Adult Day Programme which services adults living with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s.

Minister Wilson officially opened the Centre alongside WindReach Board Chair Stewart Ritchie and WindReach Executive Director Tina Nash.

Today the Attorney-General and Acting Minister of Community Affairs and Sports, the Hon. Kathy L. Simmons, JP, MP, offered condolences on the passing of Mr. Shiraz Ali. 

A deeply respected Cup Match legend, Mr. Ali represented Somerset for 11 years from 1964 to 1975. For him though, cricket was not a game, and matches were not battles. Instead cricket was an art and science, and matches were opportunities to show mental strength, physical readiness, and self-discipline while also trying to be victorious.

Yesterday, 790 test results were received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 185 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 4 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 172 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.

Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the June 2020 Retail Sales Index publication from the Department of Statistics. 

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise media outlets that the timing of the regular release of COVID-19 statistics has been revised.

The previous timing of the daily COVID-19 release (evenings) followed on from the evening press conferences held during the State of Emergency. 

To reduce overtime and relieve Ministry of Health staff from working unsociable hours, we will now compile COVID-19 numbers in the morning for release before noon. 

Please note schedule below going forward:

The Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns, today announced five Permanent Secretary reassignments.

Dr. Jennifer Attride-Stirling – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Community Affairs and Sports

Aideen Ratteray Pryce – Chief Strategy Officer, Ministry of Health 

Chris Farrow – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Seniors

Jasmin Smith – Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport

Gina Hurst-Maybury – Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform 

Tomorrow, 15 October, the Department of Statistics will observe the 12^th Annual Caribbean Statistics Day. Also another milestone will be observed this month, the 3^rd World Statistics Day on the 20^th October. 

The latter is celebrated every five years. 

Both events coincide with the 75^th Anniversary of the United Nations which is being celebrated this year.

This year, the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSD) chose the theme “Connecting the World with Data We Can Trust”.