Government

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

Last week, I announced that the Government would introduce a Bill to facilitate renewable energy technology developers testing their products in Bermuda. I stated, “This legislation will lay the groundwork for additional investment in Bermuda, whose innovation can reduce the cost of electricity for local consumers.”

The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors wishes to provide the public with an update on Litigation Guardians in Bermuda.

Minister, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, shared, “The Litigation Guardian Service operates in the Bermuda court in respect of some of Bermuda’s most vulnerable and at-risk children and young people.”

At the conclusion of the Joint Ministerial Council in London between the UK Government and elected Representatives of the Governments of the Overseas Territories, the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of State for the Overseas Territories the Hon. Amanda Milling MP (photo attached).

Premier Burt said: “This is an important opportunity to raise key issues with the UK Government on behalf of Bermuda.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 2,974 test results, and 1 was positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

•       Tuesday: 1 positive out of 1,378 results (0.1% positivity)

•       Wednesday: 0 positive out of 1,596 results (0.0% positivity)

The one (1) new case is classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 9 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 30 active cases, of which:

Sir David Amess was hailed as ‘one of Bermuda’s biggest cheerleaders’ by its Premier, as he laid a wreath to the MP in the House of Commons.

The Southend West MP, who was killed last month, chaired the Britain-Bermuda All-Party Parliamentary Group All Party since its inception in 2015.

Bermuda’s Premier, the Hon E. David Burt, JP, MP, paid tribute to Sir David ‘for ensuring Bermuda had a voice in the UK Parliament’.

‘Sir David was a great friend to Bermuda – dedicated and hard-working – someone who did his best to raise our cause in the wider world,’ he said.

Yesterday (Nov. 18), the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming attended a simulated emergency air crash exercise which took place near Clear Water Beach. 

Various Ministry departments, including the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BF&RS), Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), the Coast Guard and the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) partnered with Skyport representatives and other relevant agencies to test their emergency response in the event of an aircraft incident. 

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) Team were on hand to oversee the exercise. 

Yesterday (Nov. 18), the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming attended a simulated emergency air crash exercise which took place near Clear Water Beach. 

Various Ministry departments, including the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BF&RS), Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), the Coast Guard and the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) partnered with Skyport representatives and other relevant agencies to test their emergency response in the event of an aircraft incident. 

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) Team were on hand to oversee the exercise. 

Requirement to apply Enhanced Due Diligence for higher risk jurisdictions

Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP today issued AML-ATF Advisory 3/2021 about the risks in a number of jurisdictions arising from inadequate systems and controls to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Ministry and Department of Education are aware of a complaint that has been made on social media by a parent of a Whitney Institute Middle School student. 

The Whitney Institute is an Aided School that is governed by its Board of Governors. Therefore, the School Board is addressing this matter, and any additional updates will be released as needed. 

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “At this time, I can confirm that the student is currently in school as there was not an expulsion issued or a formal withdrawal request submitted.” 

During the recent coronavirus outbreak, the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-opening) Regulations 2021 were amended to, among other things, require the use of SafeKey for indoor activities such as dining and all approved large group exemptions – whether indoors or outdoors.

The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, is pleased to share with the people of Bermuda the below document entitled, “The Bermuda Difference in Climate Change and the UN Conference Of Parties, Glasgow”, originally shared at the recent COP 26 event.

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to advise motorists that as a refinement of the traffic controls for Harbour Road and to assist with morning flow, StoweHill, Paget,  will be closed with access permitted for residents only.  

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion on Middle Road, motorists are encouraged to consider travelling on Harbour Road during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The Ministry of Public Works takes this opportunity to thank the motoring public for their cooperation and apologizes for any delays or inconvenience that may result.

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

Following the November 5th Speech from the Throne, I would like to update last year’s initiatives and highlight how the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to introduce a Marine Development Act and a Bill to facilitate the development and testing of renewable energy technologies in Bermuda. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3195 test results, and 1 was positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Sunday: 0 positive out of 1577 results (0.0% positivity)

·Monday: 1 positive out of 1618 results (0.1% positivity)

The 1 new case is classified as local transmission. 

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 12 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 38 active cases, of which:

·36 are under public health monitoring and

The first line of defence: Blue Shield maritime domain awareness programme established for UK Overseas Territories

Madam President, the 2020 Throne Speech committed the Government to developing a National Youth Policy to support, empower and engage Bermuda’s youth.

Madam President, the development of the strategy included extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including youth representatives from a number of organizations. Today marks the launch of a Policy aimed at providing an overarching, high-level position outlining the goals that we wish to uphold as country with respect to our youth.