Government

Mark your calendars and join the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP) on Thursday, December 9^th at 6 pm AST for the second instalment of its free virtual public webinar series, B.E.A.C.H.—the BOPP Environmental Awareness Chat Hour. This series is designed to share with the broader island community a variety of topics related to BOPP, including perspectives from diverse ocean users; science-based and public processes that help BOPP balance the needs of human uses and the natural environment; and local research being conducted in coastal and offshore ecosystems.

“We are making progress…” said the Acting Minister of Public Works Wayne Furbert todayregarding repairs at Tynes Bay. 

The Minister continued, “Thanks to the hard work put in by the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility successful repairs have been carried out and one of the plant boilers is operational and this morning it resumed the process of incinerating the backlog of waste.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4063 test results, and 3 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 0 positive out of 1125 results (0.0% positivity)

§  Monday: 1 positive out of 1448 results (0.1% positivity)

§  Tuesday: 2 positive out of 1490 results (0.1% positivity)

All 3 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Yesterday, December 1^st, marked World AIDS Day.The theme for World AIDS Day 2021 is ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice’. The objective is to communicate the importance of equitable access to health services and the importance of strengthening actions at the primary health care level. World AIDS Day 2021 also emphasizes HIV combination prevention and treatment services and promotes work with communities to reach the people most vulnerable to HIV and other pandemics.

The Ministry and Department of Education extend thanks to WindReach for their donation of inclusive literature to Bermuda Public Preschools and Primary Schools.

Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, expressed, “WindReach generously donated a package of five inclusive books to each Bermuda Public Preschool and Primary School in recognition of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated on December 3rd.” 

On Tuesday, 23 November 2021, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Jason P Hayward, JP MP, attended the International Labour Organization (the “ILO”) Caribbean Labour Minister’s Meeting in preparation for the second part of the 109^th Session of the International Labour Conference (the “ILC”), which is taking place from 25 November to 11 December 2021.

The Flu Express, which was to take place tomorrow (December 1^st) at the National Stadium Pavilion, has been postponed until Friday, December 3rd at National Stadium Pavilion.

The seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine will be available for priority groups through their doctor or the Flu Express at the cost of $15.00 per shot (for both adults and children). Persons over the age of 65 years will receive the seasonal flu vaccine free of charge.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6804 test results, and 18 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Wednesday: 6 positive out of 1869 results (0.3% positivity)

·Thursday: 1 positive out of 1798 results (0.1% positivity)

·Friday: 3 positive out of 1776 results (0.2% positivity)

·Saturday: 8 positive out of 1361 results (0.6% positivity)

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

Last month (October 6), Sports Ministers and representatives from sports Ministries across the Caribbean held a virtual forum to discuss solidifying their support for Special Olympic Athletes throughout the region.

Following the forum, the Ministers and representatives drafted a formal declaration acknowledging their commitment to these incredible athletes. The agreement, entitled the Special Olympics Caribbean Inclusive Sport Forum Declaration, is being signed by each country.

Good Afternoon Members of the Media and the people of Bermuda,

Today I am joined by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson and the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, as we elaborate on the statements made in the House of Assembly today regarding the updates to COVID-19 public health regulations, schools moving to Phase 2, and items pertaining to our borders and tourism.

We will soon hear from the Minister of Health on the updates to the public health regulations, followed by the Minister of Education regarding schools.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to provide an update on work of the Ministry of National Security in addressing gang violence. Specifically I will address some of the root causes, our existing gang violence reduction programmes, proposed programmes and our multi Ministry approach.

Mr Speaker,

This morning I rise before this Honourable House to lay the Bermuda College 2020-2021 Annual Report and its 2021 Audited Financial Statements, as required under Section 8 (2) of the Bermuda College Act 1974. I will also report on the Government’s $300,000 annual grant and the College Promise Merit Award programme, both of which are provided as financial support for students to attend Bermuda College.

Mr Speaker,

Mr Speaker,

I rise this morning in this Honourable House to provide an update on the on-going impact of COVID-19 in our schools and the preventative measures that have been put in place in both our public and our private schools to keep our children safe.

Mr Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Transport, acknowledges the sobering fact that 16 lives have been lost to road traffic accidents in 2021 – I extend my condolences to the families and friends that are grieving the untimely loss of a loved one.

Mr. Speaker, with only a few weeks to go until Christmas, holiday parties will be taking place, which is why the Bermuda Road Safety Council’s (RSC) slogan for December is – Designate YOUR Driver!

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

This time last year, I provided this House with an update on COVID-19 public health guidance. At the time, we had about 270 confirmed positive cases and one or two people in hospital. That was the beginning of our second wave.

As I speak to you today, with our fourth wave dwindling, we have had 5730 confirmed cases of COVID-19, more than 300 hospitalisations and, sadly, 106 COVID-10 related deaths in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide the House with an update on the present critical status of the Tynes Bay facility.

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago on November 10^th, in a press conference, I spoke of the critical state of Tynes Bay and our need to invest heavily for it not to fail. This morning, I will give an update of the ongoing battle the engineers and technicians at Tynes Bay are waging to get the plant back up and running – and the serious challenges we are all facing in terms of the island’s ability to dispose of its waste.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets, advised today that Large Group Exemptions will continue to require the use of SafeKey at indoor and outdoor events.

Flexibility will be permitted for specific populations engaged in an antigen testing regime. 

However, in general spectators and guests will continue to require SafeKey at all large gatherings.

The Ministry stressed that Sport Large Group Exemptions will continue with the antigen testing regime for the sports group as detailed in the Return to Sport Guidance.

 As part of the Government of Bermuda’s Energy Transition Projects, which include the transition of the Public Bus Fleet to zero-emission vehicles, the Ministry of Transport recently hosted an E-Mobility Summit. The Department of Energy and RMI facilitated the virtual event for local and regional stakeholders from the public and private sectors on 22 September, 2021.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4528 test results, and six were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Sunday: 3 positive out of 1592 results (0.2% positivity)

·Monday: 0 positive out of 1679 results (0.0% positivity)

·Tuesday: 3 positive out of 1257 results (0.2% positivity)

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

Good morning Bermuda,

With the Christmas Holidays fast approaching, I am joined this morning by Assistant Collector of Customs, Mr.Richard Amos, to highlight some of the processes and regulations for importing goods into Bermuda. These reminders will assist the public in ensuring that they receive their packages with minimal delays.

A high volume of items will be imported into Bermuda overthe next few weeks leading up to Christmas. The Customs Department would like customers to exercise patience as their items are processed.

Today, November 25th, the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors acknowledges the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Minister, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, expressed, “Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. Globally, it is estimated that 736 million, which represents 1 in 3 women, have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner violence in their lifetime.”