Government

A 16-page supplement touting Bermuda’s appeal to digital nomads has been published in Chase Publishing’s ‘i-Invest’ online publication (see link here: I-invest digital edition).

Today, the Ministry for the Cabinet Office released the June 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) publication from the Department of Statistics.

In summary, during June 2021 consumers paid 1.2 % more than they did in June 2020 for the basket of goods and services.

The Transport & Foreign Travel sector continues to be the largest contributor to the 12-month increase in the CPI (+7.7 %), as the average cost of airfares increased for a third consecutive month, rising 25.2 %.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets and the Bermuda Arts Council are pleased to announce the 2021 Bermuda Arts Council Student Grant recipients, with a total of $40,000 in funding being awarded to six aspiring Bermudian artists.

This year’s awardees are Naimah Frith, Zihaire Adams,  Nalani Dowling, Ravi Cannonier-Watson, Gherdai Hassell and DaeLyn Saint-Surin.

The Ministry of Public Works and the Department of Works and Engineering advise that the west end will experience delays in garbage collection today and tomorrow.  Due to a disruption in the labour force, revolving around the current COVID public health guidelines, outside agencies will assist with residential garbage collection.

The Ministry of Home Affairs advises the public that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has organised with other local agencies a simulated oil spill exercise on Wednesday 15 September 2021 at Whalebone Bay, Ferry Reach. 

The Ministry and Department of Education reminds staff, students, parents, and guardians that all schools will continue with remote learning until further notice.

The Ministry of Health received 6074 test results since the last update, and 192 were positive for the coronavirus, giving Bermuda a test positivity rate of 3.2%. 

Because of this growing outbreak and the current volume of coronavirus testing on the island, today’s results are from testing done on Monday and Tuesday only:

·         Monday: 65 positive out of 2465 results (2.6% positivity)

·          Tuesday: 127 positive out of 3609 results (3.5% positivity)

A Government spokesman today confirmed that elements of the Bermuda Police Service, the Police Reserves and the Ministry of Health will be engaged in enhanced enforcement of the current public health regulations this weekend. This follows a ministerial statement today in the House made by the Premier, the Hon. David Burt in which he said:

The Government of Bermuda has today announced that Her Excellency the Governor is to be invited to designate 18 October 2021 as a public holiday in recognition of Flora Duffy’s success in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and the World Triathlon Championship.

Mr Speaker, the purpose of this Statement is to provide an update on the progress made to enhance the conduct framework for the financial services sector in Bermuda. The enhanced framework is intended to further develop existing conduct requirements to create fairer outcomes for customers as they engage with the banking sector.

Good Morning, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to provide this Honourable House with the fifth update on the Short-Term Stimulus Programme that was launched by the substantive Minister of Public Works, Lt. Col. David Burch on December 17^th, 2020, with a maximum budget valued at BMD $13,385,000, where small to medium sized contractors were invited to participate in the opportunity to complete infrastructure projects around the island.

Mr. Speaker, today I am tabling the Bill entitled the Invasive Aliens Species Act 2021; legislation that will greatly enhance the island’s biosecurity against the introduction and spread of pest species. 

Mr. Speaker, Invasive alien species, are “plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. In particular, they negatively impact local ecosystems and ecosystem functions through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens”.  

Today Bermuda Public Schools commenced the first day of school for students.

Many schools began the day with energising remote assemblies and one-on-one lessons to welcome students to a new year of learning for the 2021-2022 academic year.

We are happy to share that by next week we will have Chromebooks in the hands of 1349 students from Primary 3 to Primary 6. These are devices that students will use for in-person or remote learning, and when doing assignments at home.

The Ministry and Department of Education are focusing their efforts on the commencement of the academic year 2021-2022 on September 9th.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “We want parents to know that we recognise that the decision to start school remotely is not ideal. It is a difficult decision as it requires many parents and guardians to make personal and professional adjustments and sacrifices to support their child/ren(s) learning.”

Good afternoon.

I want to start by expressing my concern with the increase of positive coronavirus cases. There is a level of complacency and risky behaviour contributing to the spread of the virus in our community.

More and more people are not taking this seriously and not following public health guidelines and safety measures.

Households are mixing without considering how easily the virus can be transmitted, and mask-wearing is inconsistent.

Earlier today (Sept. 8) the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) met to get the latest update on Hurricane Larry.

Today’s meeting was chaired by the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming and had in attendance representatives from key EMO agencies such as the Bermuda Weather Service, Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, Belco, Parks and Public Works.

Minister Ming said, “Once again, we met to assess the latest forecast and track of Hurricane Larry. 

“Sadly, Bermuda has experienced another death of someone who was COVID positive,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences and prayers for support to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.”

The Ministry of Health received 10,984 test results since the last update, and 225 were positive for the coronavirus, giving Bermuda a test positivity rate of 2.0%. 

These results are from testing done on:

·         Thursday, September 2: 53 positive out of 3101 results (1.7% positivity)

The Bermuda Road Safety Council would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the recent road traffic fatality.  Losing a loved one is never easy and the council wants the family to know that the community is with them during this difficult time.

The Bermuda Road Safety Council takes this opportunity to announce our slogan for the month of September – Signal Early (using indicators).

This morning, Tuesday, September 7th, the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, met with the Education Emergency Measures Committee (EEMC) to discuss back-to-school provisions in light of the country’s current coronavirus status.

Minister Rabain said, “The EEMC met to discuss the safest way forward for staff and students for the beginning of the academic year 2021-2022 given the number of positive coronavirus cases, including an increase in the number of positive cases for children.

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently had the opportunity to visit the Community Intellectual Disabilities Team to discuss their newly launched services for intellectual disability clients and their families at home.

Minister Furbert expressed, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have met with the Community Intellectual Disability Team, learn more about their services, and tour their new working space at Montrose Cottage.

Happy Labour Day to the workers of Bermuda!

As we celebrate this day, I take this opportunity to give my sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every worker for the contributions you make to our Island home. The previous year has been a tumultuous journey, and I salute all of you for braving one of the most challenging times of our lives. We have endured much, and I thank you for your resilience. Together we will continue to put in the work to restore our economy.