Government

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. 

Good Morning Mr Speaker,

I rise today to inform this Honourable House of the progress made towards the implementation of Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).

Mr Speaker, Members of this Honourable House will recall the tabling of Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan by the Minister of Finance in March of this year and the subsequent debate on its contents. As a reminder, the Government undertook a three-phased approach to the development of the ERP.

Mr. Speaker, on the 23rd July 2021, I advised this honourable House of the payments made as set out in the Project Agreement between Skyport and the Bermuda Airport Authority. I wish to provide the House with an update on the latest MRG payment made to Skyport this month. 

Mr. Speaker, I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update on the St. George’s Marina Development Project.

Good afternoon.

Following the November 5th Speech from the Throne, as the Acting Minister of Public Works, I would like to provide an update on last year’s initiatives and highlight the critical status of the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility and what this Government is doing to address it.
In the November 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Ministry of Public Works focus was on three initiatives:

1. Introducing legislation to grant leasehold interest in the St. Georges Club to the St. Regis Hotel developers;

Good afternoon.

[Thank you Minister Furbert].  As I begin my remarks today, I once again wish to acknowledge the continued contribution of our front line workers, to the protection and support of our community in the face of this unrelenting pandemic.

My remarks today are to provide some brief context on certain initiatives highlighted in last week’s Throne Speech that directly involve the Ministry of Finance.

Pension Fees

The Cabinet Office is advising the public that this year’s Remembrance Day observance will be a Covid-safe, limited in person event.

The observances start at 10.30 a.m., with the laying of wreaths by invited guests including, Her Excellency the Governor, Rena Lalgie and the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP.

As a note, there will be no public admission to the Cabinet Office grounds. There will also be street closures in Hamilton for the duration of the modified, scaled down ceremony.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is pleased to provide a further update and share photos of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Walter Roban, JP, MP, activities at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow Scotland.

Thursday 4 November

~ Public encouraged to support local talent at safely distanced midday concert ~

This Saturday, (November 13^th), will see the return of the popular Creatives Live! open air concert series, featuring Silver City on the City Hall steps.

The midday musical event, which is hosted by the Department of Culture, is aimed at showcasing and supporting Bermuda’s talented artists. 

Previous Creatives Live! performances have included Arijahknow Live Wires, The Unit Band, Joy T. Barnum and Olivia Hamilton.

The Ministry of Education wishes to provide the public with an update on the status of our Bermuda Public School Custodians. 

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “Yesterday a meeting was held with our Custodians and Mr. Arnold Smith, B.I.U Custodian Representative, to discuss the matter of outstanding overtime payments due to a recent change in how overtime requests are approved.” 

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.”

Good morning members of the media and, good morning to the people of Bermuda who are tuned in online and on CITV. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5196 test results, and 12 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.2%.

These results are from testing done on:

•        Thursday: 2 positive out of 1778 results (0.1% positivity)

•        Friday: 6 positive out of 2005 results (0.3% positivity)

•        Saturday: 3 positive out of 1413 results (0.2% positivity)

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

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, represented Bermuda  in the Opening of the Constituency Garden of Remembrance at the Palace Westminster hosted by The Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP. While in the UK to participate at COP26, the Deputy Premier had the opportunity to deliver closing remarks at the event on behalf of Bermuda and the UK Overseas Territories and plant the Remembrance Stake on behalf of those Bermudians who served in military duty.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3548 test results, and 12 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

·         Tuesday: 10 positive out of 1797 results (0.6% positivity)

·         Wednesday: 2 positive out of 1751 results (0.1% positivity)

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

The additional 9 new cases are classified as either local transmission (7) or under investigation (2). 

As we approach the holiday season, the BRSC again reminds the motoring public to reduce your speed.  This is why we have chosen the monthly topic for November as – Better Late than Never/Slow Down.  With this topic, we will emphasise how important speed limits are and why they are in place.

Speed limits were created to enhance road safety and reduce the risk of traffic collisions. Without speed limits, there would be mayhem on our roads because everyone would be able to drive at whatever speed they choose.  That is definitely a recipe for disaster. 

Recently, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, represented Bermuda at the 13th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) held on the 28 and 29 of October. 

Good day to members of the media and the listening public. 

One Year Work from Bermuda Certificate 

In pursuit of the elimination of violence and harassment in the workplace, on 26 October 2021, the Ministry of Labour’s Labour Relations Manager participated in a webinar hosted by the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean to raise awareness on the ILO Convention No. 190 among constituents in the Caribbean.