Government

The Department of Culture is advising the public that pre-registration for today’s Bermuda Day Showcase has closed, but tickets are now available at the gates of the National Stadium. 

Tickets are free and members of the public wishing to view the Bermuda Day Showcase can simply present their SafeKey at the gate for entry. 

Today’s event gets underway at 2.00p.m., and will feature the excitement of the annual Bermuda Day Holiday. 

Performers include, but are not limited to: 

~ Dejon Simmons, Jeremy Madeiros, and Covid-19 Incident Command ~

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport, it’s my absolute pleasure to extend best wishes to all of you as we celebrate Bermuda Day. 

This has been an extraordinary year for all of us as we continue to find ways to mitigate the pandemic. 

In that sense we’ve been, nimble, innnovative and resilient. In fact in that regard, it’s quite fitting that this year’s Bermuda Day and Heritage Month theme is “Bermudian Resilience”. 

The Ministry of Transport has been advised that some of the Marine and Ports online users are experiencing technical difficulty with the site.

Please be advised that the online system is currently intermittent, and we ask for patience as this problem is rectified.

Customers are encouraged to try and use the site again. Walk-in customers are still welcomed to use the Paget Post Office for the registering of marine vehicles. However, the public is advised of possible delays in line due to COVID guidelines inside of the building.

The Ministry of Transport advises that there has been a change with Viking Orion. The ship was due to move into Hamilton today, May 27th, but instead berthed at Heritage Wharf this morning to bunker and take on provisions.  The vessel will then go to sea on Tuesday, June 1 and come into Hamilton on Thursday, June 3 at 9:30am. The Ministry of Transport wishes to remind the public that each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Health received 1284 test results since the last update, and none were positive for COVID-19. 

Additionally, since the last update, there were five (5) recoveries and no deaths.

There are currently 31 active cases, of which;

• 29 are under public health monitoring and; 

• Two (2) are in the hospital, with one (1) in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2491 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 2428 persons have recovered, and sadly, 32 COVID related deaths.

The source of all cases is as follows:

The Ministry of Health received 1712 test results since the last update, and one (1) was positive for coronavirus. This gives a test positivity rate of 0.1%.  The new case is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on Jet Blue B61731 from New York on 20 May 2021 and tested positive on their day four test.

Additionally, since the last update, there were seven recoveries and no deaths.

There are currently 36 active cases, of which;
• 34 are under public health monitoring and;
• Two (2) are in the hospital, with one (1) in intensive care.

The Department of Culture is pleased to advise that following the initial allocation to essential workers, the Bermuda Day Showcase registration is now open to the wider community and general public.

For a free ticket to the Bermuda Day Showcase, members of the public can visit Ptix.bm: https://www.ptix.bm/Event/7097/Bermuda-Day-Showcase-2021 

Good Afternoon,

To “Promote and develop community gardens that can assist in meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community.”

This is an excerpt from the 2017 Progressive Labour Party Election Platform regarding community gardens.

I am joined today by Ms. Jameka Smith (Acting Park Planner), Mr. Stephen Furbert (Senior Superintendent) and the Volunteer Community Garden Manager for this newest community garden, Southlands Park Community Garden, Ms. Belinda Cameron.

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, has released a further significant step forward in Education Reform in Bermuda.

Minister Rabain said, “I am pleased to announce the determination of Signature Learning Programmes for our first two signature schools.”

The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2021 (the “Act”) is undoubtedly a significant advancement for the rights of workers and significantly strengthens the rights of Unions in the workplace. The Act also adds several new provisions which will optimise and improve labour relations. 

The Department of Public Transportation wishes to advise the public that bus service will begin at 10:30 am on Bermuda Day, Friday, May 28, 2021, on the holiday schedule. 

Due to the Half Marathon Races, the following detours will be observed from 10:30 am until the barricades are removed by the Bermuda Police Service: 

Mr.

To honour the late Kenneth A. Richardson CVO, CBE, JP, Bermuda’s first Black Secretary to the Cabinet, yesterday, Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and the Richardson family represented by  Mr. K. Andrew Richardson and Ms. Tammy Richardson-Augustus (Mr. Richardson’s son and daughter) planted a Bermuda cedar tree on the grounds of the Cabinet Building. Mr Richardson served as Cabinet Secretary from 1984 to 1993.

Parents are reminded that registration for Government’s annual Summer Day Camp starts tomorrow morning (May 26) at 9.30 a.m.

Interested individuals who wish to sign their children up for this year’s camp can visit http://sdcbermuda.org/ .

An important note – the link does not go live until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

This year’s summer camp starts July 5.

The cost is $60 per week.

Children aged 4 – 14 years-old will be accommodated. 

On Monday evening, May 24th, Her Excellency the Governor Rena Lalgie signed the amendments to the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-Opening) Regulations 2021. These changes will enable indoor dining to be opened for licensed restaurants if the licensed restaurant verifies that all patrons have a SafeKey.

“We must help where we can,” said Premier David Burt, JP, MP, today confirming that 9,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were dispatched to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago today.

The Ministry of Health received 3665 test results since the last update, and two (2) were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.05%. These results are from testing done on Thursday (1 positive out of 1392 results (0.1% positivity)), Friday (1 positive out of 1224 results (0.1% positivity)) and Saturday (0 positive out of 1048 results (0.0% positivity)).

Good afternoon.

For more than a year now we have been in an intense battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this destructive virus, countries including Bermuda, have faced unprecedented health and economic challenges.

The Minister of Labour, the Hon Jason Hayward, JP, MP, said, “I am pleased to report that after discussion with representatives with the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) held today, the parties have reached a mutual understanding, with the BPSU indicating to the Government that they support the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2021 (“the Act”), and are no longer pursuing amendments to the legislation related to the decertification process.                                                     

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to remind this Honourable House that we are about to enter Hurricane Season which runs from June 1^st until November 30^th.

Today the Close to Home Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was located at Transport Control Department (TCD) on North Street, Hamilton. A total of 401 doses were administered  between 10am and 2pm.

There were 240 first doses and 161 second doses administered. This is, by far, the largest number of people to participate in the programme in one day. 1,723 people have gotten a first and second shot of the vaccine through the mobile programme.

Today’s arrival of Viking Cruises “Orion” signals the beginning of home-porting for Bermuda. Acting Minister of Transport, the Hon. Walter Roban said:  “The sight of a cruise ship returning to our shores brings with it the promise of much needed economic activity. Many sectors depend on business from cruise passengers and crew and through the successful realization of homeporting for Bermuda, the Government has taken another important step to get Bermudians back to work.” 

Today’s arrival of Viking Cruises “Orion” signals the beginning of home-porting for Bermuda. Acting Minister of Transport, the Hon. Walter Roban said:  “The sight of a cruise ship returning to our shores brings with it the promise of much needed economic activity. Many sectors depend on business from cruise passengers and crew and through the successful realization of homeporting for Bermuda, the Government has taken another important step to get Bermudians back to work.” 

Mr. Speaker,

~ Essential workers and a guest invited to register for event May 24 ~

~ Showcase to be live streamed for the public ~

Today the Department of Culture provided an update on the Bermuda Day Showcase, which is scheduled to take place May 28, at the National Stadium.

As the public is aware, due to the need for safety, the planned celebrations for this year’s Bermuda Day and Heritage Month activities, have been “re-imagined” in keeping with the current health guidance in place.

The Ministry of Health received 1029 test results since the last update, and five were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.5%  

Two of the new cases are classified as imported. The first case is a resident who arrived on Delta Airline DL 584 from Atlanta on 15 May 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test. The second case is a resident who arrived on Jet Blue B6203 from Boston on 15 May 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test.

Two of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to lay before this Honourable House the report entitled, Recommendations for A Minimum Wage in Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr Speaker,

This morning I rise before you and my Honorable colleagues to share the plans that have been put in place to implement a Saliva Screening Regime Programme in our public schools, commencing Monday, May 24^th.

Mr Speaker,

Having students in school for in-person learning is a priority. Additionally, ensuring that our schools and school environments are safe for staff and students is equally important. In light of this, school staff are working diligently to keep COVID-19 from spreading in school buildings.