Government

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works wishes to clarify a statement issued in error by the Government earlier today on behalf of Keep Bermuda Beautiful, which detailed plans for managing trash at Elbow Beach and arranging for parking at a nearby hotel property for the customary Elbow Beach Christmas Celebrations.

The Ministry apologises for any inconvenience caused and can now advise that due to the recently implemented public health measures, the parking and other volunteer support indicated in the previous release will no longer be available.

The public is advised that as of Wednesday, 29^thDecember 2021, the Rockaway Ferry Stop (Green Route) will close for maintenance until 31^st January 2022. 

With the exception of Rockaway, ferry services will continue on the Green Route to and from Watford Bridge, and Cavello Bay ferry stops. 

During the course of 2021 there have been a number of occasions to celebrate Bermuda and its people:    

Season’s Greetings Bermuda.

The Season of Advent is marked by themes of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. As this year of 2021 draws to a close, each of these themes has a special meaning in our community.  

This year our patience, faith and general well-being have all been tested. We’ve had to define a new normal while facing the challenges of waves of coronavirus cases, changing restrictions and new variants.

“A curfew is one part of a larger mitigation strategy alongside a reduction in gathering sizes, increased mask-wearing indoors and increased testing. This is a proven and effective strategy as we have seen during past outbreaks.

“The mitigation restrictions that the Government has put in place will help to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5,849 test results and 97 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 1.6%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Sunday: 21 positive out of 1,534 results (1.4% positivity)
• Monday: 37 positive out of 2,307 results (1.6% positivity)
• Tuesday: 39 positive out of 2,008 results (1.9% positivity)

Sixty-seven (67) of the new cases are classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to provide an update on the status of the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy facility.

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to provide an update on the status of the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy facility.

The Acting Minister of National Security Lawrence Scott advised that as of 12.30 am on Friday 24 December; a curfew will be in effect every night from 12.30 am – 5.00 am until 20 January 2022 under the Public Health (Covid-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-Opening) Amendment (No. 11) Regulations 2021.

The Bermuda Police Service, assisted by Reserve Police Constables, will stop vehicles, check for approved exemptions for those out during the curfew period, and issue fixed penalty notices where applicable.

Yesterday, (December 21, 2021) Acting Premier and Minister of Education the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP MP, visited the BTA and Bermuda Workforce Development’s collaborative Recruitment Drive at Hamilton Princess.

Minister Rabain stated, “I was pleased to see that there were over 780 people pre-registered for the event. This government is committed to getting the economy back on track, and events such as these which support employment opportunities for our residents are very positive.

On Monday December 13th, the Economic Development Department (EDD) held its first Leadership Innovation Awards reception to celebrate individuals and entities who in the past year continued to capitalise on technology to create solutions.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Hon. Wayne Furbert and the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain were also in attendance at the event, which was safely hosted, and presented awards to the winners.

Good Afternoon Bermuda,

I am joined today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson and the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Dr. The Hon. Ernest Peets as we provide the country with an update on the public health regulations in response to the growing threat of the Omicron variant.

Good day Bermuda,

These have been very trying times for many sectors in our community. Cultural and sporting events have been severely impacted and it is very disheartening to me, personally, to have to consider further restrictions to already stretched sectors that are so important to Bermuda’s social, mental and physical well-being.

My Ministry fully appreciates the health and social benefits of sportand culture, and their importance. Nevertheless, we must balance this with the country’s need to ensure everyone’s safety.

Good afternoon Bermuda.

As we reported yesterday, since the last update for testing completed through 18 December, the Ministry of Health received 8,342 test results and 102 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 1.2%.

This brought the total number of active cases to 152, with 151 under public health monitoring and 1 person in hospital. Unfortunately, testing completed on 19 December resulted in 21 more positive cases.

Where variant typing is available, the majority of our positive cases are now Omicron.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received8,342 test results and 102 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 1.2%. 

These results are from testing done on:

Public school teachers and staff will have two additional days for pre-return testing. The initial date of Saturday, January 1^{s t}has been expanded to include Sunday, January 2^nd and Monday, January 3^rd 2022. 

Thank you to the members of the Press who have joined today for my final press conference of 2021. I thought it would be an opportune time, during this season of giving and sharing, to give a further update on some key fiscal and economic matters. However, before I commence my main remarks, I would like to express my sincere appreciation once again to all of our front line and dedicated community workers, who have played a critical role in helping to deal with the challenges related to COVID-19 that we have once again had to be faced with in this year.  

The Department of Education would like to update the public on the process that has been put in place to support the safe return to school of staff and students in January 2022. These same procedures, which were in place when staff returned to school in October and after the November break, require all staff and students to present a negative PCR test result that must be dated within 3-days of entering school buildings. 

The Ministry of Health is advising that additional appointments for vaccine boosters have been added for Pier 6. 

To book a booster appointment, visit www.gov.bm.

The Ministry notes that there are a limited amount of appointments and will be looking to increase the opportunity for booster doses over the next month. 

The Cabinet Office is advising that the application process is currently open for those wishing to serve on Government boards and committees.

The Cabinet Office notes that Expression of Interest (EOI) forms are now available on the Government website and can be completed and submitted electronically.

The EOI forms can be accessed at https://forms.gov.bm/Departments/The-Cabinet-Office/Expression-of-Interest.

Good afternoon Bermuda,

The St. Georges community and the rest of the island are shocked at the news of the senseless death of yet another young man.

This death hits home as I knew the young man well. Today, I grieve with the family who are my constituents, my neighbours, my friends. My heart aches for them, their children, the grandparents and extended family
I condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and offer my condolences to his family at this difficult time.

The Minister for National Security will speak in a press conference this afternoon with the Bermuda Police Service to update the public on the investigation into the death of a 23-year-old male early this morning.

Minister Ming said, “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of this young man, who is this afternoon coming to terms with this tragedy. 

Good afternoon.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4,124 test results, and 31 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.8%. Of the 47 active cases where typing is available, 34% (16) are Delta, 60% (31) are Omicron. We have a total of 62 active cases.

The deadline for persons to send in their submissions to serve on the National Youth Policy’s Working Group (NYP) has been extended to December 19.

The public will recall that the Ministry launched the National Youth Policy, a 2020 Throne Speech pledge, last month. The development of the strategy included extensive consultation with a wide range of community groups and partners, including youth representatives from a number of organizations.