Government

Following consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP MP, announced today (March 1, 2022), updates to the Quarantine Policy for Schools which are effective immediately.

The following updates have been made:

Vaccinated Positive Cases

-Quarantine for 7 days with test out with a certified Lateral Flow Test (LFT).

Unvaccinated Positive Cases

-Quarantine for 10 days with a test out with a certified LFT.

Close Contacts

Today, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the November 2021 Retail Sales Index ( November 2021 RSI Report.pdf.

November’s retail sales fell 8.6% compared to last year. In value terms, retail sales fell 4.7%, which represents  an estimated $96.8 million compared to last year (November 2020).

Today, the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, released the November 2021 Consumer Price Index ( November 2021 CPI Report.pdf) publication from the Department of Statistics.

The Minister explained, “In November 2021, Consumers paid 2.8 per cent more than they did in November 2020 for the basket of goods and services.”

“On Sunday evening following receipt of an email notifying me that someone with whom I was in contact last week had tested positive for the coronavirus, I took an at-home test where I tested positive for coronavirus.

“I immediately isolated and informed all persons with whom I had in-person engagements this week that they would need to be remote. I have also been in contact with the contact tracing teams from the Ministry of Health and persons with whom I may have been in close contact over the last few days.

The Ministry of Education advises that all school students and staff were COVID tested last week, with verified antigen tests, permitting all negative students to return to in-school learning this upcoming week.

Middle and Senior school students will resume twice-weekly antigen testing.

– Testing on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

– Results may be logged at: https://bermudaschools.family/antigen

On Friday (Feb. 25), the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets participated in the“Remembering the Enterprise” commemoration event at Barr’s Bay Park. 

The event was part of the Department of Culture’s Bermudian Heartbeat’s Lecture Series, and recognised the February 11, 1835, arrival of the American brig Enterprise. 

History shares that the vessel was blown off course and arrived in Hamilton Harbour with 78 enslaved people aboard. Subsequently, a legal hearing led to their emancipation. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 7351 test results, and 67 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.9%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 14 positive out of 2361 results (0.6% positivity)

§  Monday: 29 positive out of 2499 results (1.2% positivity)

§  Tuesday: 24 positive out of 2491 results (1.0% positivity)

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

 – Bermuda reaffirms its commitment to full tax governance and transparency

Hamilton, February 24, 2022 – The Ministry of Finance of the Government of Bermuda reports that the island´s commitment to exchange information with international tax authorities, as recommended by the OECD Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (´FHTP´) in November 2021, has been noted temporarily in the State of Play document (Annex II of the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers). The island remains a fully cooperative jurisdiction committed to full compliance.

As part of the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP), the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to introduce a comprehensive Marine Spatial Plan and Blue Economy Strategy for our 200-mile marine Exclusive Economic Zone. One of BOPP’s goals is to improve fisheries management, where appropriate, and partner with stakeholders to support Bermuda’s fisheries goals through consultations, scientific research, and economic analyses. 

The Ministry of Transport wishes to clarify any misleading information regarding cruise ship visitors to Bermuda. The Ministry reminds the public that as of 7 March 2022, children travelling to Bermuda by cruise ship who are 11 years or under will take the vaccination status of their parents or guardian. Visitors 12 years old and older must be fully vaccinated to travel to Bermuda. This means a full course of the recognized, approved vaccines, 1 or 2 doses plus two weeks.

Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert today issued an invitation to the public to apply for service on the Co-Parenting Mediation Council. 

Good afternoon, Minister, Madam Chair, our new Working Group members, Senior Youth Development Officer, Nadine Henry and members of the media.

In the Government’s 2020 Election Platform as well as our 2021 Throne Speech we committed to the establishment of the National Youth Policy aimed at fostering direct engagement with our youth in the development of government policies.

“..the prospects for Bermuda are bright..”

The 2021 Bermuda Fiscal Responsibility Panel Report (the Report) has been completed and is published today. It is available on the Ministry of Finance section of the Bermuda Government portal. (www.gov.bm) 

 The Ministry of Health advises the public of a false email message titled “PCR TEST RESULT: POSITIVE.”

Any official email for anyone who has tested positive will contain the name of the person tested, Test ID number and the date they were tested. Additionally, emails to persons who have tested positive do not contain a link. 

The false email doesn’t contain specific details, and if you click the link included in the email, you could put your computer/phone security at risk or unwittingly give up personal details.  

As is acknowledged globally, and as I have said many times before, educators are the single most significant in-school influence on outcomes for children (academic and otherwise). I recognise that schools cannot thrive daily without dedicated education professionals. We, as a country, will not achieve the ambitious targets that we have set for education reform without teachers and school leaders at the heart of this change. 

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport, I’m delighted to be here at the Bermuda National Gallery to formally open The African Collection: Our People, Our Places, Our Stories.

As you’re all aware, this exhibition is being revisited in celebration of the BNG’s 30^th anniversary, and this was one of the Gallery’s very first collections it showcased shortly after its opening.

I had the wonderful opportunity of touring the exhibition last week and I must say, it was truly a breath-taking experience.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets extended congratulations to Major Kenneth (Toki) Dill, Marjorie Pettit, the late Ted Ming, Paul and Penelope Leseur and Daren A. Herbert who were all honoured last evening at the Bermuda Arts Council’s (BAC) Annual Awards Ceremony.

These six Bermudians were celebrated for their significant contributions to the island’s arts and cultural scene.

“Sadly, Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones of the deceased at this difficult time.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6642 test results, and 107 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 1.6%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Wednesday:  39 positive out of 1590 results (2.5% positivity)

§  Thursday: 19 positive out of 1479 results (1.3% positivity)

Good evening,

To those of you viewing from the audience today and to those who are viewing virtually and online, I extend my heartfelt greetings to you all.

I wish to also express my appreciation and well wishes to the Bermuda Arts Council for their commitment to ensuring that this event took place this year.

This occasion is particularly poignant because the arts have suffered tremendously during the last two years of the pandemic. So it’s wonderful that we can come together to recognise and highlight the importance of art in all its forms during this ceremony.