Good evening Bermuda.
Today I'm joined by the Minister of Health, who has the latest update on test results, and the work within the Ministry of Health, the Minister of National Security who will provide details on the policing plan for the upcoming holiday weekend, and the Minister of Tourism and Transport who will lay out the measures in place to begin commercial flights to Bermuda, when we move to phase four
As a country we have gone over a week without any new cases of COVID-19. The number of people successfully fighting off and defeating COVID-19 continues to grow, and the number of Bermudians hospitalized as a result of this disease continues to fall.
We have seen more of our friends and neighbors economically displaced by this pandemic returning to work, and more of our businesses adapting, innovating and reopening. We have come far and yet we must never forget the people who have lost their lives, and we must never forget the people who remain out of work.
As a government, we continue to provide a safety net for our unemployed and continue the work which is necessary to ensure that more of our fellow Bermudians can get to a place where they can continue to provide for their families.
Earlier this week, Cabinet agreed to extend the Unemployment Benefit Program for another month to support our people and provide them with an added layer of security, as businesses reopen and our economy begins to move again.
The Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Finance will join us next week to give details about the extension of the benefits and to discuss matters related to the economy and related to labour.
Earlier today, at 6 am, Bermuda moved into Phase 3…moving to normal. Some government workers who have been working from home will physically return to their offices, while some will continue to work from home, while we provide seamless service to the public for all public services.
· Nurseries and Childcare will begin to reopen, subject to public health guidelines
· Our churches and houses of worship will begin to reopen.
· Restaurants will begin to provide indoor dining.
· Cinemas and museums will begin to accept patrons; and
· Gyms will reopen their doors.
As stated previously, we remain in a place where masks will still be required, physical distancing will still be needed, and your government will continue to test, to monitor closely and continue to remain proactive in protecting our island.
The world has changed, and as a country, we have successfully adapted to not merely surviving, but to begin seeing a way forward where we can thrive in this new and changed world.
Yesterday, I participated in talks with the CARICOM Heads of Government to discuss the reopening of our respective countries’ borders to visitors. On an ongoing basis, we have been studying the successful restart strategies of Hong Kong, Australia, St. Lucia, Bahamas, New Zealand, Cyprus and Austria. We are moving safely and steadily towards getting our country open again and making sure that we can have more economic activity.
Today marks not just the beginning of Phase 3 but will also mark the unveiling of our plan to safely permit visitors to return to our shores at a date that we are tentatively setting as July 1, when we expect if all continues to go well, that we will move to phase four.
This is a plan that focuses on protecting our workers, and our community, emphasizes testing and screening of potential visitors, and is committed to making sure that Bermudians and visitors alike are kept safe from harm.
The successful implementation of this plan means:
· Hotels can start taking bookings
· our hotel workers will be able to return to work
· our restaurants, taxi drivers and retail stores will be able to have more business and clientele
· Bermuda's entrepreneurs, workers, and people will begin to see jobs returned, and we will begin to work, and there'll be more opportunities that we can provide.
As managers and business owners start bringing their employees back to work, it is very important that they do not do so at the expense of Bermudian workers. We must continue to give Bermudians the opportunity to earn a wage for their families. It is not acceptable for the reports that I've heard that guest workers are returning to work when there are Bermudian workers in the same organization, both of whom had been laid off, where guest workers are returning to work and Bermudians and are not being called back in to work. This is unacceptable, and this behavior is contrary to the spirit of the policy of immigration.
The former Minister responsible for immigration, the Minister of National Security, has previously stated that this practice cannot be allowed. And as I stated earlier, the Minister of Labour will be here next week to specifically lay out the measures that will be taken to address ongoing instances of this behavior.
What I will state, however, is if you are an employee, in a case and instance where your employer has left Bermudians redundant, or on layoff while returning persons who are work permit holders, or guest workers to work inside the same establishment inside of these particular jobs, please contact the immigration hotline, and that number is 296-5202. Again, that number is 296-5202.
Anyone who has been in the City of Hamilton for the last few days would have seen certain restaurants that have been granted permission to construct outdoor premises for outdoor dining. I have received a number of pieces of commentary surrounding this. The first instance is that the government is going to do whatever we can to ensure that as many persons are able to return back to work. And if that means being flexible, then we are going to be as flexible as possible.
It is important to recognize that we've been very flexible in our reopening strategy. And in our flexibility of reopening strategy, we are balancing the need for protecting the health of our country, while also balancing that against the need to reopen our economy. There are however, some persons who have asked why restaurants are allowed to construct outdoor facilities, whereas clubs are not allowed to construct outdoor bar facilities.
There is an actual difference in the way in which these facilities are governed. Clubs and liquor license establishment are regulated under the Liquor Licensing Act. The Liquor Licensing Act has specific restrictions that apply to certain places. What the Attorney General has assured me is that she is looking at revisions which can be made in order to allow for clubs that may have indoor bars services under the Liquor License Act, to be able to possibly provide those services outdoors.
Any of those matters will be part of phase 3B, which Col. Burch mentioned on Monday, and which further details will be provided for next week. I recognize the disparity that certain people feel that this is providing to certain businesses, but it is understandable that we have to continue to make sure that we are abiding by the law.
I have however asked the Attorney General to look into this, as she has responsibility for liquor licensing and she has assured me that she will look to find and provide a solution.
What is important, however, is that this government will work with any business who wants to find a way to put people back to work. As long as we are balancing the health of our country with the economic needs of our country, as well. With that, I will now invite the Minister of Health to give her updates. Minister.
MINISTER WILSON SPEAKS
Thank you, Minister of Health. Now we will hear from the Minister of National Security on matters within his Ministry.
MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY SPEAKS.
Thank you Minister Caines.
As I indicated in my earlier comments, the government is planning, if all things go well, to move to phase four at the expiration of the state of emergency on June 30, which means that phase four may commence, on July 1. But of course, phase four involves one of the things that are eagerly anticipated, which is the return of regularly scheduled commercial traffic. We cannot make that decision on the day of, as there is certainly advanced lead time which is needed for our hotels and our airline partners. So we've made the decision that at this point in time it is going to be prudent for us to make that announcement, so that we can plan ahead. However, things are always subject to change. Now the Minister of Tourism and Transport will outline the various measures that are going to be in place to protect our country as we prepare to welcome tourists.
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND TRANSPORT SPEAKS.
Thank you very much, Minister DeSilva, and I'm sure that there's a large number of persons that are looking forward to us reopening our borders and allowing visitors to visit our country, in a safe fashion and certainly there are Bermudians who are still stranded overseas who welcome the resumption of regular flights.
There will be a press release going out from the Minister of Public Works regarding special provisions for public parks and beaches this weekend. Public parks and beaches will close at 8pm, this weekend on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. So it is important to note that this will be taking place and beaches and parks will close at 8pm and will reopen at 5 am.
As we move into phase three with our economy being opened safely, we must remember our individual responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick, stay at home, follow the Ministry of Health's guidelines when entering buildings, and continue to make sure that you are wearing your mask and maintaining physical distance. As I have said many times, following these public health measures can and will save lives. I want to encourage all of us to not be complacent. We've heard the recent news of a significant reduction in the number of active cases. It will not be wise of us to assume that COVID-19 has been eliminated from our shores. It is not the time to let our guard down as it only takes one or two possible cases for us to begin to flare up again.
I see comments about saying, ‘oh you know we have so few cases, why do we still have all these restrictions, etc.’. International guidelines are to wait 28 days between the moving of phases. We’ve moved our phases in three weeks instead of four which is quicker than what is recommended. The reason why we've been able to open up with our phased approach as quickly as we have is because of the good results we're getting.
But it is only because we have done what is necessary by continuing to remain masked and practice our physical distancing; that we have been able to make this progress. Letting our guard down can set us back, and it is key that we understand this. This pandemic is not over, and will be with us for some time. Many of us are beginning to let our guard down, and it is important that we remain vigilant.
We think that things may be harmless, but the fact is that given that there is so much asymptomatic transmission of this virus, we can never know. You heard me share the stories last week of persons who would have brought this virus back home to elderly family members who ended up going to the hospital, and being tested positive upon admission. So it's critically important that we continue to keep our guard up.
Testing has been critical to keeping the number of confirmed cases low. We have the capacity to test 200 people a day, however many times these slots go unfilled as people are not getting tested as much now, as they were before. Just like the Minister of Health has said, I encourage everyone if you have not already been tested, to do so.
You can go to coronavirus.gov.bm, and click on the link which says, at the very top, COVID-19 testing. I'm certainly encouraging persons who are a personal services provider or food service provider, or people who are on the front line. You can book your appointment and get tested at your convenience.
Minister Burch stated about phase 3B when he was here on Monday. This is just going to be an interim measure of where we might be allowing a few more additional services next week. Two of the things which are going to be considered by the Cabinet Committee, earlier as I mentioned, are limited outdoor bar services for community and members clubs, and in addition, the expansion of some personal services.
Cabinet has given tentative approval to the expansion of personal services such as facials, beard shaving, massages, and waxing. However, these expansion these services are going to be subject to regular testing of those operators, due to the increased risk that these interactions can present.
I would advise operators who are inside of that category to go to coronavirus.gov.bm and book your test. Get tested to ensure that you are clear of the virus, so that next week, when the services are allowed to be expanded, you are able to go ahead and expand your services. If you are not tested, you will not be able to expand the services, as we want to make sure that we are keeping the country safe.
So again, for those persons who are operators, go ahead and book your tests. For those persons who are desperately waiting to shave their beard, or to get their wax, or to get their massage, reach out to your operator and tell them to make sure they go get tested, so that when these things open up next week, you will be able to take advantage of this service.
On the issue of cannabis reform, the public is invited to share their thoughts and ideas surrounding this topic. The Attorney General has pivoted the scope of the government's cannabis policy to achieve a regulated cannabis regime. She issued a statement to all media last night encouraging comments on the policy document, and the illustrative draft, during this consultation period.
Those who have an interest in this topic are posting on social media and providing commentary through the local media. Some persons have even taken to emailing their members of parliament. This is a consultative process. The only way that your views will be heard and reflected is to have your comments recorded, and you must go to the government website, forum.gov.bm, where you will find the consultation documents and instructions on how to submit your views, questions, and concerns.
On that website, of course you can vote, up and down various remarks and say whether or not you support comments which have been left or not. The Attorney General advised me that she will continue to update the consultation document in real time on a regular basis so that people can see that the comments which are coming from the public are being taken into account. But it is essential that you do not have those conversations on social media. Please do not have those conversations only amongst yourselves, make sure that you go and submit your thoughts and concerns on forum.gov.bm.
National Heroes Day is on Monday June 15, when we will recognize Bermuda’s eight national heroes and remember them as we celebrate their accomplishments. I will pause to reflect on the local and international accomplishments and contributions made by one of Bermuda's national heroes, Dr. Pauulu Kamarakafego.
Many years before there was a black lives matter movement, he was leading movements for equality and justice. He was a civil rights leader and political activist and played a key role in the fight to abolish the property vote as the founder of the committee for universal adult suffrage. And he was also an elected member of parliament. He was an ecological engineer and an internationally recognized freedom fighter. He traveled around the world to countries including Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Australia, China, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, where he taught and shared his knowledge as an engineer working on local and country wide projects.
He met with country leaders to reshape the narrative for people who were displaced in their own countries, and joined the fight against oppressive authorities. Dr. Kamarakafego was a consultant to the United Nations, and was the first recipient of the Human Rights Commission's human rights award. As we prepare for the weekend, we must remember the importance of heroes’ day, and the sacrifices made by Dr. Kamarakafego, and the work he contributed to advance Bermuda's society, and many countries around the world.
Finally, before I take questions from the media, I invite you to join me this Saturday evening at 7:30pm, when I will answer your questions live on the Government of Bermuda Facebook page. That broadcasts will also be shown on CITV, and I'm happy to entertain questions on any matter of government policy or also questions on phase three, phase 3B, and phase four. Our next press conference will take place next week Tuesday, June 16, as Monday is a holiday, and then I will see you again next week Thursday. With that, I'm happy to take any questions that members of the media may have.
Thank you.