Government

The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) is advising the public that the Central Bus Terminal kiosk closed today (Thursday, September 24^th) at 4:00pm.

The temporary closure is to allow for repairs to the kiosk’s air conditioning unit.

The Department of Public Transportation apologises to the public for the late notice and for any inconvenience this may cause.

An update regarding the reopening of the kiosk will be provided as soon as possible.

Today there were 787 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 181 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 167 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.

Following a “chat & chew” event in July at which community clubs were hosted to discuss and identify areas of need, Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and the Minister of Community Affairs and Sports, the Hon. Lovitta Foggo, JP, MP, presented cheques to eight (8) local community organisations. 

Cheques were presented today to:

Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club – $50,000

Boulevard Community Club – $12,500

Devonshire Colts Football Club – $12,500

Devonshire Recreation Club –$36,000

Harrington Workman’s Club – $50,000

The Minister of Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, provides a statement regarding the closure of Fairmont Southampton.  

“Upon receiving the news of the decision to temporarily close one of Bermuda’s oldest hotels, the Fairmont Southampton, I feel it necessary to express my concern regarding the large scale redundancies that will occur.” 

“While I understand management’s rationale to close for renovations at this time, this will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of many hotel employees and those in the hotel’s service supply chain.” 

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

The public will know that this Government is committed to improving the Financial Assistance system that currently helps those in the community who require financial support to meet their basic needs. 

On Monday, September 28, the Minister of Community Affairs and Sports, the Hon. Lovitta Foggo, JP, MP, will host the premiere film screening of “Louis Rafael ‘Kid’ Corbin: Breaking Golf’s Colour Line in America, Canada, and Bermuda”.

The 20-minute short documentary explores the contributions of the Bermudian golfer Louis Raphael “Kid” Corbin, who led the charge against segregation in golf. The documentary features interviews with Dr. Jeffrey Sammons, Mr. Kim Swan JP, MP, and Mr. Corbin’s relatives. Mr. Swan will be available for questions following the screening of the film.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2020 the Bermuda Cabinet approved the appointment of three International Experts to the Sargasso Sea Commission.

The Sargasso Sea Commission was established by the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea, signed in Bermuda on March 11, 2014. The Commission celebrated its five year anniversary last year with a workshop held at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences in March 2019.

Today there were 858 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 181 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 167 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 Ministry of Labour is pleased to announce a partnership with the Bermuda Landscapers Association and the launch of a joint employment registration drive for landscaping professionals beginning Thursday, 24 September 2020.  

Those that are encouraged to register include persons who:

Good afternoon Bermuda; and Thank you Members of the Media for your attendance. Today I am joined by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson who will lead our weekly update on the continuing public health emergency.

MINISTER OF HEALTH READS HER REMARKS.

Thank You Minister.

Good Afternoon, 

Today there were 1117 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and one was positive for COVID-19. 

The new positive case is an imported case in a resident having arrived on BA 2233 on 16 September 2020. This case is also a close contact of a known case and has been quarantined since arrival.

Bermuda now has 181 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

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.