Government

Today, the Junior Minister of Home Affairs, Senator Lindsay Simmons, successfully led the passing of the Bill in the Senate, entitled ‘Development and Planning Amendment Act 2021’. 

The Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, said, “As stated by my colleague, Junior Minister Simmons, this Government remains committed to introducing sustainable planning legislation to further protect our delicate environment while introducing measures to stimulate our economy, particularly our construction industry, and encourage new investment.”

The Ministry of Public Works advises the public of ongoing delays in garbage collection due to industrial action by Collections Staff. The Bermuda Industrial Union and the Ministry’s management team continue to discuss the matter, which is now partially resolved.  Unfortunately, however, collections across the island have been impacted. 

As a result, Tuesday collection will likely be delayed. Residents whose normal garbage collection day is Wednesday are asked to hold on to their garbage and put it out for collection on Saturday. 

There were 6535 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and three (3) were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.05%.

These results are from testing done on:

•       Monday, July 19: 0 positive out of 2206 results (0.0% positivity)
•       Tuesday, July 20: 2 positive out of 2127 results (0.09% positivity)
•       Wednesday, July 21: 1 positive out of 2202 results (0.05% positivity)

2 of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

The Ministry of Public Works is advising the public of delays in trash collection due to industrial action by Collections Staff. The matter, which is being addressed by the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Ministry’s management team, will affect areas in the East End. They include the Aquarium east to St. George’s and the Devil’s Hole Hill area east to St. David’s.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update this honorable House on the important project work that is being undertaken by the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I will provide updates on the extension of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with Disabilities to Bermuda, the Children’s Commission, Litigation Guardians, independent living, a Senior’s Strategy, assisting the homeless and our engagement with the Third sector.

Mr Speaker

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the indulgence of the House and your permission to make this Statement.

Honourable Members will, by now, be aware of the judgment of the Chief Justice handed down earlier today. The Court dismissed all claims by the Applicants and determined that the Government’s policy as set out in the Quarantine Order most recently made by the Honourable Member, the Minister of Health, is lawful and not a breach of Section 11 of the Bermuda Constitution.

The Government acknowledged the Chief Justice’s judgment, which was delivered earlier today regarding the Supervised Quarantine matter being heard in the Supreme Court.  

The Court dismissed all claims by the Applicants and determined that the Government’s policy as set out in the Quarantine Order is lawful and not a breach of the Section 11 of the Bermuda Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide this Honourable House with a report on the now critical status of the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy Facility, what it means to us as a community and what the government is currently doing about it.

The next Close to Home mobile vaccinations will be at Washington Mall this Saturday, July 24, in the space behind Gibbons Home Store and across from Gold Standard from 10 am – 2 pm.

Additionally, for Bermuda Government employees, first dose vaccinations are available tomorrow, July 23, at the Department of Communications, 1^st floor, Global House, next to the Wesley Methodist Church, from 11 am – 3 pm.

There will be doctors on-site to answer any questions you have, and you don’t need an appointment. You can just show up and roll up your sleeve.

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

The Department of Culture will host its final Creatives Live! open air musical concert this Saturday (July 24).

The featured performance will be the sounds of the multi-piece band, Coral Beats. 

The popular midday concert which takes place on the steps of City Hall, is aimed at showcasing and supporting Bermuda’s talented artists.

Good afternoon and welcome to Harmony Club.

The Ministry’s Short Term Economic Stimulus Programme was launched in December 2020. This Economic Stimulus initiative is aimed at providing employment and building opportunities for small to medium sized contractors.

The project’s selection principles are to maximize the employment of the private sector while providing much-needed refreshing of neglected infrastructure.

The Minister of Education the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, will address the Bermuda public on Thursday, July 22^nd at 8pm, sharing the final decision for parish primary schools, it was announced today. 

The Little Blessings Nursery in Hamilton Parish has been closed temporarily pending the completion of investigations related to an incident that occurred earlier this week, and the implementation of additional measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.   

Officers of Department of Child and Family Services and the Child Care Regulation Programme commenced investigations yesterday.  The length of closure is dependent upon the implementation of the additional safety measures.  

The Department of Libraries and Archives would like to advise the public that their phone system will be temporarily unavailable on Thursday, July 22^nd, 2021.

The Department will still be operational and can be reached via email.

Please see below the email addresses for the respective sections:

·Adult Library: library@gov.bm

·Youth Library: youthlib@gov.bm

·Archives: archvies@gov.bm

The Hon.

HAMILTON, BERMUDA – The Financial Policy Council (FPC) will be holding its seventeenth meeting on July 23, 2021 via teleconference. Consistent with its mandate to provide advice on current and potential economic and financial developments and threats, items on the agenda will include discussions on international tax developments and a review of the key risks to Bermuda’s financial stability.

There were 8302 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and five were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.06%. 

These results are from testing done on:

§  Thursday, July 15: 1 positive out of 2769 results (0.04% positivity)

§  Friday, July 16: 1 positive out of 1862 results (0.05% positivity)

§  Saturday, July 17: 2 positive out of 1869 results (0.11% positivity)

All 5 of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

In a gesture of appreciation, the Bermuda Post Office (BPO) is paying tribute to all essential workers who have helped during the COVID-19 pandemic by repurposing of one of its existing stamps.

The BPO has recently revised the 50 cent shell stamp and released it as a special envelope.

The stamp which depicts a Bermuda cone shell has been overprinted with the title: “Honouring All Essential Workers”.

The envelope features the Star of Life used by many countries around the world to represent emergency and medical services.

~ Featured Event Friday July 23 ~  

The Department of Culture is reminding the public about a series of events being held in the lead up to the Emancipation, Mary Prince and Cup Match Holiday. 

~ Series of Webinars planned for small and medium sized businesses ~

As online activity becomes more prevalent both locally and globally, it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to protect their systems against cyber-threats.

To assist business owners, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), the Department of Economic Development and the Cybersecurity Governance Board have announced that they will host a series of free webinars series to educate businesses about the importance of cybersecurity. 

The Department of Energy has published a new survey today, the ‘Solar Energy Survey’, and are seeking responses from the public.

The online survey, www.bit.ly/solar_energy_survey can be completed in about five to seven minutes, at leisure on any device by anyone 18 and older. Only one response is needed per household. 

The purpose of the survey is to gather important information about the adoption of solar energy in Bermuda.

~ Public advised that works will take place this weekend ~
As Bermuda progresses through hurricane season 2021, the Ministry of Public Works is taking the opportunity to highlight a joint initiative currently underway by members of the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has become aware of concern within the veterinary community of early signs of a potential outbreak of a diarrheal disease amongst young unvaccinated dogs on the Island. 

At least three veterinary practices have seen seemingly unrelated cases of that which has been diagnosed as canine parvovirus. The diagnoses were based on clinical signs and laboratory test results. 

There were 6171 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and five were positive for coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%. 

These results are from testing done on:

•        Monday, July 12: 2 positive out of 1956 results (0.1% positivity)

•        Tuesday, July 13: 2 positive out of 2157 results (0.1% positivity)

•        Wednesday, July 14: 1 positive out of 2058 results (0.05% positivity)

Four of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows: