Government

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to provide an update on the Automation Project already underway in the Department of Immigration.  We are extremely excited about these advances which will benefit both the Department, businesses and the general public.

Mr. Speaker,

Automation of Immigration Forms

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

I rise today to share with Honourable Members the Bermuda Health Strategy 2022-2027.

Mr Speaker,

This House will recall the previous Health Strategy covered the years 2014 to 2019.

In 2019, the Ministry of Health began work to create a new strategy for the next five years (2020 to 2025) which could provide a framework for a redesign of the healthcare system – the Government’s intention to transition to universal health coverage being a clear and stated goal by that time.

Mr Speaker,

“Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus death,” announced Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and I pray that they find comfort in the memories of their loved one.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3465 test results, and 70 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 18 positive out of 914 results (2.0% positivity)

§  Monday: 27 positive out of 1359 results (2.0% positivity)

The Ministry of Transport, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Marine and Ports Services are advising the public that an additional 17 abandoned and derelict boats – owners unknown – will shortly be removed from the water and disposed of. This is in addition to the recent notice to remove 37 abandoned vessels. 

The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce the official release of the Bermuda Health Strategy 2022-2027, a five-year plan for strengthening Bermuda’s healthcare system.

Created in partnership with KPMG’s global health experts, the Strategy is a continuation of the Ministry of Health’s previous work (outlined in the 2014-2019 Strategy) and takes into account some of the strengths and weaknesses of Bermuda’s healthcare system, which have been brought to light throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Sunday evening (February 20), the Bermuda Arts Council (BAC) will host its Annual Awards Ceremony and celebrate six Bermudians who have made significant contributions to the island’s arts and cultural scene with their body of work. 

This hybrid in-person and virtual event will take place at the Earl Cameron Theatre, where the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets, will formally present awards in the categories of: 

Good Morning Minister, Director of the Department of Transportation, Officers from the Department of Transportation and members of the media here this morning.

Within the Government’s Economic Recovery plan we committed to ensuring a sustainable transportation infrastructure that is safe for the environment.

The Economic Development Department (EDD) is today launching the highly-anticipated and updated Cybertips Activity Book.

Says Ray Jones, Director of the EDD: “As education curricula are now delivered using a blended learning approach that heavily relies on the Internet, the Activity Book is now more relevant than it ever was. Each page is designed to be its own fun and self-paced lesson focusing on specific topics relevant to safely using the Internet as a valuable tool.” 

Yesterday the Acting Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, led meetings with the Town of St. George’s and City of Hamilton Municipalities to discuss Municipal Reform and the upcoming Municipal elections.

Minister Furbert advised the Corporation of St. George and Hamilton Mayors and Council members that elections would be deferred for one year to maintain the operational stability of both Corporations pending the determination of the matter now before the Court of Appeal.

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

This Friday (Feb. 18), the Department of Culture will once again host the open-air concert series, Creatives Live! – featuring musical duo Aimee and Davy.

Happening on the City Hall steps, Creatives Live! willbe safely distanced and take place from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.

Previous Creatives Live! events have provided an upbeat musical atmosphere in the City of Hamilton, and Friday’s performance promises to do the same.

I have today reluctantly accepted the resignation of the Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson, JP, MP, as Minister of Finance. Bermuda has been well served by Minister Dickinson’s steady and thoughtful hand at the helm of the Government’s finances and fiscal strategy. Minister Dickinson led the financial support response to the pandemic and invested tremendous personal energy and commitment to ensure that the needs of the Island’s workforce were met as people were impacted by the necessary strict public health measures.

Recently (Feb. 11), Premier David Burt and the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns recognized the January recipients of the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA) – Mr. Thomas Sinclair and Mr. Maxwell Dill, members of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) section.

“Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3063 test results, and 88 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.9%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 6 positive out of 715 results (0.8% positivity)

§  Monday: 44 positive out of 1376 results (3.2% positivity)

The Premier of Bermuda the Hon David Burt, JP, MP, and the Acting Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Diallo Rabain attended a site visit and was given a tour of the Harmony Hall campus this morning by the General Manager of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Mr. Paul Martin.

The Minister of Tourism Development & Transport the Hon. Shawn G. Crockwell JP MP is pleased to advise the public that Mrs. Erica Rance Mill has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Bermuda Road Safety Council (RSC).

The other new appointees are Insurance Executive, Wayne R. Swan, and Compliance Specialist Nekeisha Cameron who join existing members Dennis Lister Jr., Roger Kendall and Alexis Swan.

At approximately 10am on Wednesday 2nd March, the Ministry of Public Works will be opening/closing the Swing Bridge on Mullet Bay Road, St. Georges, for inspection and testing purposes. Normal traffic operation will be resumed as quickly as possible and interruption to traffic flow is not anticipated to last more than two hours. 

There will be further public announcements regarding additional openings of the bridge over the next two weeks for structural testing of the bridge under operational conditions.

The Bermuda Government is cognizant of the judgment of the Chief Justice in the case of Bermuda Bred Ltd vs the Minister of Home Affairs and the Attorney General which came into effect today. In order to give effect to the judgment, the Minister shall this week be issuing instructions that non-Bermudians in a permanent same sex relationship with a Bermudian must follow in order to demonstrate permanency of the same-sex relationship and obtain an entry/re-entry letter from the Department of Immigration.

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda, Economic Impact Report was released on Thursday, 25^th February, 2016.  The Report shows that the World Series, held from 16 – 18 October, has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the local Bermuda Economy.

The BEDC has partnered with ACBDA to ensure that the various opportunities that exist, related to the 2017 America’s Cup, can be realized by all entrepreneurs on the Island, inclusive of BEDC Stakeholders.