Government

~ Togetherness ~

May is Heritage Month, and for the first time since 2019, the Department of Culture will be reintroducing in-person events to highlight and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and heritage.

This month residents and visitors will be invited to participate in cultural lectures, a heritage conference, float making displays and of course the most anticipated event, the Bermuda Day Parade, which takes place May 27.

May is Heritage Month, and for the first time since 2019, the Department of Culture will be reintroducing a full slate of in-person events to highlight and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and heritage.

 This month residents and visitors will be invited to participate in cultural lectures, a heritage conference, float making displays and of course the most anticipated event, the Bermuda Day Parade, which takes place May 27.

The Department of Child and Family Services recognised April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse and neglect.  Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert stated, “It is important for our community to work together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect.”

Good evening to the members and representatives from social and sporting clubs across the island, and a very special thank you to the President of Leopard’s Club International, Mr Cal Bean and the members of his executive committee for inviting me to speak tonight.

Though I accepted the invitation to speak with you all tonight before I accepted the Premier’s offer to serve as Minister of National Security, the opportunity that this evening presents to speak to the leadership of some of the most important institutions in our community is not lost on me.

Recognised on May 1, International Workers’ Day or May Day is an opportunity to honour and celebrate the historic social and economic struggles that brought hard-won achievements. It is also to remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices, accomplishments and contributions of workers worldwide and their importance to the strength and prosperity of our country.

Good morning to the Minister of Economy and Labour, to my fellow Cabinet Ministers, Junior Ministers, Bermuda Trade Union Congress President and BTUC Executive, Union Leaders who are gathered on the Cabinet lawn today.

Although we are a few days from May 1ST, I want to say Happy International Worker’s Day to everyone,

First, I would like to welcome you all to the Cabinet Office and welcome the newest members of the BTUC Executive.

The International Labour Organization has declared 28^th April the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day is also recognized as Injured or Memorial Workers Day by Trade Unions worldwide. On this day, in particular, we think of those in Bermuda who have suffered workplace accidents and illness, along with more than 100 countries worldwide.

While major accidents or fatalities at work are rare in Bermuda, even minor injuries can have life-altering effects for workers and their families.

 The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service will tomorrow commence a recruitment process for eleven (11) firefighters. 

The Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, said, “I am pleased that the recruitment process will begin. This will bolster the ranks of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service. I would encourage women and men looking for a challenging and rewarding career of service to the community to apply.”

“It’s important to recognise the incredible job the BF&RS has done over the last two years throughout the pandemic.

Good day to all members of the media and the listening public. 

I am joined here today by Mr Romeo Ruddock from the Bermuda College and Mrs Meisha Medford from Take 5 Ltd, Mr Karl Massam from Yellow Finn Group, Mr. Shawn Lekki from Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and Mrs. Savannah Parfitt from Huckleberry Restaurant and Mrs. Malika Cartwright from the Department of Workforce Development.

As the Minister of Economy and Labour, my responsibility includes providing the necessary services and opportunities to get Bermudians back to work. 

As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide relief now and reduce the cost of living for the people of Bermuda, the Premier and Minister of Finance has determined that fuel prices “at the pump” for the next month will not be increased and therefore, for the next month, consumers will continue to pay the same prices as of February 2022.

Additionally, reductions will be made to the customs duty for fuel imports, and the pricing model previously in place has been adjusted.

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

Many will be aware that I am currently overseas participating in environmental conferences. I am now in Miami at the 2022 Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum or CREF, organized by New Energy, which is the reason for coming before you now.   

Today, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the January 2022 Retail Sales Index. 

 January’s retail sales fell 6.3% compared to last year. In value terms, retail sales fell 2.7% from the previous year (January 2021) to an estimated $88.2 million.

Compared to the pre-pandemic period of January 2020, volume sales were 1.4% lower.

However, two sectors experienced growth in January 2022. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 10069 test results, and 345 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 3.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Tuesday: 57 positive out of 1639 results (3.5% positivity)

·Wednesday:  52 positive out of  1515 results (3.4% positivity)

·Thursday: 37 positive out of 1726 results (2.1% positivity)

·Friday: 60 positive out of 1713 results (3.5% positivity)

Today (April 26th) marks World Intellectual Property Day, and the Registry General will join other Intellectual Property Personnel worldwide to celebrate this day and raise awareness about intellectual property (IP) rights’ role in encouraging innovation and creativity. 

The theme for World Intellectual Property Day is “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future” and celebrates youth-led innovation and creativity. It recognizes the massive potential of young people to create solutions that will help countries worldwide transition to a sustainable future.

Verdmont Museum was the latest stop by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets, who continued his visits to the island’s museums, galleries and historical landmarks.

Good morning.

The Region of the Americas will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Vaccination Week in the Americas April 23rd to 30th.

And as part of Vaccination Week in the Americas, more than 40 countries and territories in the Americas come together every year to raise awareness of the importance of immunisation and vaccinating their populations, making a special effort to reach people who may not have regular access to health services and people living in urban fringes.

On Wednesday, 20 April, Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP MP, attended Athene Career Development Centre (CDC) opening at Bermuda College.

 The $3.8 million renovations provide state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and a lecture theatre where students and the community will gain highly sought skills in business, Fintech and Cybersecurity and learn about the Internet of Things (IoT) and cutting-edge technology.

On Thursday, 21 April, the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael A. Weeks, JP MP, met with the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BF&RS) leadership at the Hamilton Fire Station as part of his familiarisation with the uniformed services under his Ministry.

 Minister Weeks said, “I am aware of the vital role that the BF&RS plays in saving lives and responding to emergencies.

We wish to advise the public to take extreme care and caution while in or near the ocean given the increased presence of the Portuguese Man of War. Portuguese Man of War can be identified with their bluish gas-filled float on top of the water, however, their in-water tentacles are often not seen making it a deadly predator for small fish and extremely painful for humans after contact with the skin.

Please keep your distance and do not touch the Portuguese Man of War even if they are on land or a beach as the tentacles can still be very venomous.”

Mr. Speaker, cruise ships have returned to Dockyard, air arrivals and hotel occupancy are increasing, and we are on the cusp of events that will see the return of a growing number of visitors to Bermuda. Slowly, but surely, the foundation for recovery is being laid.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is aware of a  video circulating on social media of a purported snake in the Somerset area. The department can confirm that this posting is not true and is a hoax.

Furthermore, posting such misinformation is irresponsible, can cause significant public anxiety and requires the unnecessary diversion of resources. Persons should desist from such activity.