Government

The Ministry of Education has advised that all schools are to use Phase 2 of School COVID-19 Protocols effective immediately. 

The Department for National Drug Control (DNDC), under the auspices of the Ministry for Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, and in conjunction with treatment agencies across the island, celebrates National Recovery Month. This September. 2021 will be the 32^nd annual Recovery Month observance spearheaded by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals in the USA. The DNDC will use this month to educate Bermuda about substance use treatment, which can enable those with a substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

Good Morning Bermuda:

As we prepare to reopen Bermuda’s Public Schools on Thursday, September 9^th we are excited about welcoming back our pre, primary, middle, and senior students as safely as possible.

Although we are still navigating a global pandemic, both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry and Department of Education have been diligently working to ensure that the safety of our students and staff is thoroughly prioritised in our safety and health protocols and guidelines.

Recently, the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns recognized this year’s (2021) Bermuda Government Bursary Award recipient Taneesha Ottley.

Ms. Ottley is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Policy and Management at the University of York. During her time in Bermuda she has been working with the Ministry of Education. And Ms. Ottley says her ultimate goal is “to become a senior policy analyst so that she can influence policies in Bermuda.”

Good morning.

Some parents have raised concerns regarding the mask-wearing policy for students while in school. Some feel that our coronavirus testing in schools is sufficient to ensure the safety of our students and staff, and they are requesting that children be allowed to remove their masks while sitting at their desks.

Unfortunately, testing alone will not protect students, teachers and staff, and removing their masks while sitting could increase transmission.

The Ministry of Health received 10,128 test results since the last update, and 79 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.8%. 

These results are from testing done on:

§  Thursday, August 26: 24 positive out of 3188 results (0.8% positivity)

§  Friday, August 27: 31 positive out of 2843 results (1.1% positivity)

§  Saturday, August 28: 12 positive out of 2308 results (0.5% positivity)

§  Sunday, August 29: 12 positive out of 1789 results (0.7% positivity)

Recently, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. the Hon. Ernest Peets congratulated Alay Burgess Rocker, Callahj Simons and Riley Darrell, who were the first, second and third place winners of the Emancipation Youth Creativity Competition, which was held earlier this month (August).

Those who participated in the contest were asked to submit poems, WhatsApp or YouTube videos, and any other artwork or creative expression under the theme of “How have my ancestors made me strong?”.

Good morning.

The process of amending the labour legislation began with ensuring we put laws in place that support the rights of workers. 

This action to create maximum disruption in order to force compliance from the Government, is unlawful and designed to negatively impact the people of Bermuda. 

Such tactics should never be used to promote a position aimed at stripping rights away from workers.

The Government acknowledges that there is fear from the Unions that some employers will try to manipulate the process of cancellation of certificate for their benefit.

“I join the community in condemning this weekend’s broad daylight shooting in St. David’s, which has left a young man in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. I extend my thoughts to the victim and his family.

 “This shooting incident was very concerning, particularly as it happened with bystanders nearby and I can appreciate their distress and concern. We are asking for the public’s assistance and cooperation in this latest shooting incident. Please share any information with the Police.  

“The next two days will hurt those who can least afford it.” said Acting Premier Walter Roban, JP,MP on the eve of a two day work stoppage called for by the leadership of the Bermuda Industrial Union. “Families will be under more pressure, working women and men will have added stress and businesses will be faced with even more uncertainty. All of this at a time when we are doing our utmost to get people back to work, to move beyond the pandemic which has had a devastating impact on everyone’s finances and personal well-being.”

The Department of Planning will host an online panel discussion entitled “Draft North East Hamilton Local Plan 2021” on Thursday, 2 September at 6:00 p.m. live on Facebook, YouTube and CITV. 

The Ministry of Health received 8703 test results since the last update, and 52 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.6%. 

These results are from testing done on:

·Monday, August 23: 16 positive out of 2411 results (0.7% positivity)

·Tuesday, August 24: 17 positive out of 2710 results (0.6% positivity)

·Wednesday, August 25: 19 positive out of 3582 results (0.5% positivity)

10 of the new cases are classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days, with details as follows:

A Government spokesman today advised that as there is no labour dispute any action taken, including any proposed work stoppage or strike is unlawful. Section 87 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act makes the position clear.

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently had the opportunity to attend The Family Centre’s Youth Leadership Academy’s Annual “Foundations Social Change Projects” Presentation.

Minister Furbert expressed, “Thank you to the Family Centre Team for creating this avenue for our youth.

“I applaud the youth who organised and participated in this presentation. It is not an easy task to build the confidence to present in front of others. Still, you all thoroughly presented with enthusiasm and brilliance.

Today, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the May 2021 Retail Sales report, which indicated that the overall volume of local retail sales increased by 10.4% year-over-year.  

May’s retail sales growth represents the 11^th straight month of increase.

“Bermuda’s trade with non-residents resulted in a $303 million surplus for the first quarter of 2021, increasing $98 million from a year ago. This increase was mainly due to a decrease in payments to non-residents which was larger than the fall in receipts from non-residents,” said the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, in releasing the 2021 Q1 Balance of Payments & International Investment Position publication from the Department of Statistics.

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

“The horrific impact of plastic on the environment is a global issue. In the era of the manifested impact of climate change, Bermuda must consistently act to preserve its oceans. To this end, single-use plastics will be eliminated by 2022, and the intervening years will be spent educating the community about recycling and reusable items and encouraging greater sensitivity to the ocean and its importance to our lives.” 

That is a quote from the 2018 Speech from the Throne. 

Today, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Hon. Wayne Furbert released the April 2021 Retail Sales report. 

In April, the overall volume of local retail sales increased by 23.3% year-over-year.

In value terms, retail sales rose 25.4% to an estimated $82.5 million.  

April’s retail sales increase compares to the previous year’s local retail sales which reported a volume decrease of 28.9% due largely to the pandemic, as outlined in the Department of Statistics’ April 2021 Retail Sales report.

I take this opportunity to reiterate the Government of Bermuda’s position regarding the decertification procedure according to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2021 (“the Act”).

The Act has brought about significant changes to the administration of labour and union-related matters within Bermuda, the majority of which specifically benefit the Unions and their membership.