Government

“I am saddened to report two coronavirus related deaths since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 8187 test results, and 622 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Friday: 179 positive out of 2300 results (7.8% positivity)

§  Saturday: 57 positive out of 1664 results (3.4% positivity)

~ Public encouraged to support local talent at safely distanced midday concert ~

Tomorrow, Friday, January 21, the Department of Culture will once again host the popular Creatives Live! open air concert series, showcasing Mowhawk Radio Unplugged.

Happening on the City Hall steps, tomorrow’s Creatives Live! will be safely distanced and take place from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.

The Ministry of Health today announces that effective Friday, 21 January 2022 the following requirements will continue to be in effect for a further two weeks:

●     Maximum group sizes will remain at 20 people.

●     Household mixing is strongly discouraged. However, if you must attend a household other than your own, we continue to strongly urge persons to take an antigen test before they visit another home or welcoming someone into their home.

●     Masks must be worn indoors and, also, outdoors when you are within 6 feet of another person.

The Government advised this evening that the Public Health (Covid-19) Emergency Order, which was passed in the House of Assembly on December 10, 2021, has been posted online in the Official Gazette. The Order can be found here.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) advises the public that the office will close at noon on Thursday (20 January) and reopen for regular hours on Friday (21 January).

The call-in number 297-7714 will be available for general queries.

The DWD apologises to the public for any inconvenience this may cause.

Today the Ministry of Transport, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Marine and Ports Services are advising the public that 37 abandoned and derelict boats – owners unknown – will shortly be removed from the water and disposed of.  This is a joint programme between Government and Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) in accordance with an MOU signed by the Minister of Transport.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6035 test results, and 603 were positive for COVID-19.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Tuesday: 225 positive out of 1945 results (11.6% positivity)

§  Wednesday: 222 positive out of 2281 results (9.7% positivity)

§  Thursday: 156 positive out of 2034 results (7.7% positivity)

107 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The additional 496 new cases are classified as either local transmission (56) or under investigation (440).

The Ministry of Health advises that effective immediately, mandatory quarantine will no longer be required for contacts of a positive case if persons are not experiencing COVID symptoms and your last vaccine dose (2nd dose or booster dose) was received within the last 6 months. However, it is strongly recommended that daily antigen tests be taken for self-monitoring during the seven days after close contact, especially if you will be entering a workplace setting or place where you will be in contact with others outside of your household.

The Department of Public Transportation (DPT) is advising passengers that due to a recent increase in staff absences, as of Monday, January 17th and until further notice all bus routes will operate on an enhanced Sunday schedule, seven days a week. For more information visit gov.bm/bus or call 292-3851.

Taxpayers are reminded that Payroll Tax and Corporate Service Tax Returns for the quarter ending December 31 2021 are due on or before Monday, January 17 2022.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Returns for the month ending December 31 2021, are also due on or before Monday, January 17 2022. Financial Services Tax Returns for the quarter ending December 31 2021, are due on or before Monday, January 31 2022. 

Full payment must accompany all returns otherwise penalties will apply. Please use 2021/22 tax rates.

The Department of Education today informed the public of registration procedures for the school year 2022/23.

The Department of Education will be utilizing the PowerSchool Online Enrolment which is a secure platform that allows parents/guardians to securely enter their child’s information into an online database.

The online registration process will require both new and current parents to create an account.  This allows you to securely save your work and come back at a later time if necessary.

Good afternoon.
 amendments to the Quarantine (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order 2020 will be made
 effective January 20,2022. These changes will further streamline our quarantine and testing
 guidelines.

 The current requirement for non-immunised persons who must quarantine or isolate is for a period of 14 days, and they must book and get a verified PCR to test out of quarantine/isolation.

This requirement will change as they must now quarantine or isolate for only 10 days and test out on a verified antigen test after 10 days.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received8,103 test results, and 661 were positive for COVID-19.

These results are from testing done on:

·Friday: 205 positive out of 2160 results (9.5% positivity)

·Saturday: 98 positive out of 1751 results (5.6% positivity)

·Sunday: 100 positive out of 1639 results (6.1% positivity)

·Monday: 258 positive out of 2553 results (10.1% positivity)

247 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Good Afternoon Members of the Media, and the Bermuda Public.

Thank you, Minister of Health, for your update.

This last wave of the Coronavirus has again disrupted our day to day activities. I can say first-hand, as a parent, getting my child back to school has not been the easiest of processes. We have had to consider testing regimes, remote learning, and, in some cases, the challenges of being in quarantine. This current spike has not made engaging in learning the most manageable situation for any parent.

Following a meeting today with the Senior Command of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming, said, “I would like to update the public on the current status of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, but first I want to express my gratitude for their tireless work during this most recent outbreak and indeed throughout the pandemic.”
 
The Minister added, “I can report that The BF&RS’s current staffing situation, while unfortunate, is not dissimilar to what is being experienced community-wide in both the public and private sector. 

“Bermuda is gaining momentum..” said Premier David Burt as he outlined the activity noted in Bermuda’s fintech sector. “Of the ten licensed digital asset business entities, six were licensed in 2021, including a digital asset insurer that is a digital asset smart contract powered platform that allows insurance entities to create fully-collateralised, fully digital, transparent, trustless and tradable reinsurance contracts.