Government

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. 

The Minister of Transport the Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP, MP and Bermuda Road Safety Council, Chairman Dennis Lister III, JP, MP have extended condolences to the family of latest the road traffic fatality.

Minister Scott said, “We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Albert Simmons. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.” 

Good morning Bermuda.

I am joined by my colleague, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Honourable Tinee Furbert, to highlight the initiatives for the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport as outlined in the 2021 Throne Speech. 

The Minister of National Security, Renee Ming joins the community in expressing her “shock and outrage” following last night’s home invasion of one of Bermuda’s seniors.

Minister Ming said, “As this investigation gets underway, I am urging anyone living in the area, who may know anything about this incident, to please contact the Bermuda Police Service. This was an outrageous act committed against one of the vulnerable members of our population and we must see those responsible brought to justice. Our focus at this time is on the family and friends of the victim.”

The Ministry of Finance acknowledges the Auditor General’s assessment of the unemployment benefit programme.

Last Friday (November 12), Premier David Burt and the Minister of Health, the Hon Kim Wilson, JP, MP, honoured the 106 residents lost to the coronavirus by planting a Bermuda Cedar Tree in their memory.

The short tree-planting ceremony was held at the Botanical Gardens, near the 911 Memorial.

The Premier is in London with the Minister of Finance for the annual Joint Ministerial Council which will see the leaders of the Overseas Territories (OT) engaging in a series of bilateral meetings and joint sessions on issues as varied as climate change and the impact of the coronavirus on OT economies. 

Premier David Burt today chaired a meeting of United Kingdom Overseas Territories Associations (UKOTA), the political council of OT Heads of Government. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4592 test results, and 5 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

•        Thursday: 0 positive out of 1516 results (0.0% positivity)

•        Friday: 4 positive out of 1711 results (0.2% positivity)

•        Saturday: 1 positive out of 1365 results (0.1% positivity)

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

The Ministry and Department of Education wish to provide the public with an update on quarantine measures for Bermuda Public Schools. 

 The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health have worked closely together to ensure that a more robust risk assessment policy is in place, and quarantine measures that strike a balance of both the safety of staff and students and our schools remaining open for in-person learning.” 

Good morning Bermuda.

I am joined by my colleague, the Minister of Labour, Jason Hayward, to highlight the initiatives for the Ministry of National Security as outlined in the 2021 Throne Speech. 

But first let me provide you with a quick recap of the initiatives that we were working toward in last year’s Throne Speech.

The Ministry of National Security had committed to creating a Police Authority to facilitate an open and collaborative forum to support the Bermuda Police Service and the communities they serve. 

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 provide an update on last year’s initiatives and highlight how the Ministry of Labour plans to provide Bermuda’s youth with the support to train for jobs and introduce a digitised immigration application process to improve the delivery of services to our customers.

Introduction

Recently, Premier David Burt and Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns congratulated Mr. Roger Parris, who is the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA) winner for October.

Mr. Speaker;

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6674 test results, and 20 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

·         Sunday: 4 positive out of 1526 results (0.3% positivity)

·         Monday: 10 positive out of 1909 results (0.5% positivity)

·         Tuesday: 5 positive out of 1764 results (0.3% positivity)

·         Wednesday: 1 positive out of 1475 results (0.1% positivity)

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the demonstration held today by the West End Warriors for Legacy group.  

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, expressed, “The Ministry of Education has welcomed and continued to hear the points and concerns raised by representatives of the West End Primary School community.” 

“The decisions on parish primary schools, which affect all primary schools, were difficult ones made after extensive consultation and engagement.” 

Mr Speaker and Honourable Members, in this year’s Throne Speech, the Government of Bermuda has reaffirmed its intention to implement universal health coverage for all residents.

Our vision for healthcare seeks to ensure that – “all people have equitable access to needed informative, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative essential health services, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardship when paying for these services and critical medicines.”

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to provide this Honourable House with a half- year report on the Government fiscal performance.

2021/22 Half-Year Fiscal Performance:

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a material impact on the Bermuda economy and the Government’s fiscal position. However, significant work has been done by Government and the community to combat this virus and adapt to the “new normal”. As the half year results highlight, the ongoing work and actions taken to date, have had some positive results.