Government

The Department of Workforce Development’s 2021 Summer Employment Programme recently concluded with the interns participating in two career guidance webinars last Thursday and Friday.  

This evening the Minister of Health, Kim Wilson said, “The scale of this outbreak is such that we must make some adjustments to the Public Health Regulations and protocols. We cannot ignore the fact that we now have 113 active cases. However, this is not 2020 and the progress we have made in vaccinating 75% of our eligible population means that we can adjust but not interrupt our everyday lives and continue to safely enjoy this summer. 

This evening, the Department of Public Transportation and the Bermuda Industrial Union met, and a tentative agreement was reached. It will be proposed at a BIU Bus Division members meeting at 8:00 am tomorrow, 19 August. If ratified, it is anticipated that the service will resume at around noon.

Over the past few days, the Ministry of Labour has worked with all parties to resolve the matter of the dispute between the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Department of Public Transportation.

The parties have agreed to meet again this evening to mutually determine a way forward. As a result, the Minister of Labour has not yet referred the matter to the Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal. It is hoped that the outcome of this evening’s meeting will lead to an agreement that is in the best interest of the workers, the public bus service users and the Government.

In the wake of tragic events unfolding in Haiti, the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon David Burt, JP, MP, shared sentiments on behalf of the Government of Bermuda. 

Premier Burt said, “The people of Haiti have once again experienced a devastating earthquake that has left the country, and her people directly affected by the catastrophic damages. The images emerging from Haiti are heartbreaking. We have learned from the communications coming from Haiti that damages to the country’s infrastructure, food and water sources and health services are severely impacted. 

The Bermuda Road Safety Council and Sandys Parish Council are pleased to announce their next event – The Road to Recovery.

The purpose of this event is to raise the awareness of the aftermath of road traffic collisions and to provide support to victims and their families.

The Bermuda Post Office (BPO) has issued its second commemorative stamp release of the year, featuring the Bermuda Sandcastle Competition.

Founded almost 30 years ago by Nicky Gurret, the mainstay beach competition is held annually at Horseshoe Bay on Labour Day weekend.

In 2017 Hannah Emmerson, a long-time contestant and previous winner took over the competition, and Ms. Emmerson has spent the last four years showcasing Bermuda’s beaches with weekly builds across the island.

The Ministry of Health received 12,615 test results since the last update, and 52 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.4%.

These results are from testing done on:

•        Wednesday, August 11: 12 positive out of 2821 results (0.4% positivity)

•        Thursday, August 12: 2 positive out of 3086 results (0.1% positivity)

•        Friday, August 13: 9 positive out of 2671 results (0.3% positivity)

•        Saturday, August 14: 15 positive out of 2344 results (0.6% positivity)

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming, continues to encourage the public to remain vigilant during hurricane season. And with the presence of Tropical Storm Henri near the island, the Minister said this serves as a timely reminder to the public about ensuring their storm kits are stocked.  

The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) advised as of 3.00 p.m. today, Bermuda remains under a Tropical Storm Watch and TS Henri is located approximately 115nm to the south, with maximum sustained winds of 50 knots.

Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns, today announced the reassignment of two Permanent Secretaries.

Ms. Marva-Jean O’Brien recently completed a secondment as the Secretary to the Commission of Inquiry into the Historic Land Loss in Bermuda. She will now take on the role of Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors.

Mr. Christopher Farrow has been assigned to the role of Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security.

“You would have heard in an earlier release that the dispute between the Department of Public Transportation (DPT) and the Bermuda Industrial Union over the bus roster. 

“The parties met this morning and were unable to reach an agreement, and as a result, the disruption in the public bus service continues.  The matter has been referred to the Minister of Labour.   

“Yesterday, the BIU was informed that the government’s no work, no pay policy applies. 

I am here to advise that the Ministry of Transport can confirm that there is a labour dispute between the Department of Public Transportation and the Bermuda Industrial Union’s Bus Division over the end of summer “pick of work” in preparation for the start of school on 9 September which is due to commence today, Monday, 16 August in accordance with Schedule 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Industrial Union. 

“The Government has met its obligation under Schedule 10 of the Agreement.  

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, recently visited Dr. Cann Park, the largest seniors residence complex for independent living in Bermuda. 

Minister Furbert was joined by Mr. John Barritt, Bermuda Housing Trust Chairperson, and Ianthia Wade, JP, MP, Ageing Well Chair. 

Minister Furbert shared, “Dr. Cann Park serves approximately 100 seniors, making it an extremely important pillar of stability for our senior population in Bermuda.

Today, Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP, released the May 2021 Consumer Price Index (CPI) publication from the Department of Statistics. 

The Minister explained, “In May 2021 consumers paid 1.4 per cent more than they did in May 2020 for the basket of goods and services.”

Good afternoon.

The Ministry of Health received 4927 test results since the last update, and 18 were positive for COVID-19. This gives a test positivity rate of 0.4%. 

These results are from testing done on the following dates:

·         Monday, August 9: 8 positive out of 2354 results (0.3% positivity), and

·         Tuesday, August 10: 10 positive out of 2573 results (0.4% positivity)

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

Good afternoon,

I want to begin my remarks by thanking all of our enforcement and emergency agencies for their tireless work over the Cup Match holiday. Thankfully, the holiday weekend did not see any significant disturbances, road traffic incidents, or infringements of the COVID-19 regulations. And for that, we should all be grateful.

I will now provide a brief update on the Government Supervised Quarantine Facilities.

Though we are a couple of weeks removed, it is my first opportunity to say that I hope everyone in Bermuda had a safe and enjoyable Cup Match holiday. It was a long-awaited celebration not only of our history and our culture but of the progress that we have made as a country against the coronavirus.

Such celebrations were not possible a year ago. However, with our strong testing regime, continually improving vaccination rate, and tools such as SafeKey, we have been able to see the return of Cup Match and other large outdoor events.  

The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sport today joins the global observance of the United Nations International Day of Youth.

The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sport, the Hon. Dr. Ernest Peets, JP, MP has expressed, “This Government is passionate about empowering and engaging Bermuda’s youth. Our vision is to develop and empower our youth by forming a unified approach to tackle the issues they face and provide them with the support to have positive and productive futures.