Good afternoon, to the residents of Bermuda who are watching this press conference this evening.
I want to start this press conference with an apology. It has certainly been a very long day with a Cabinet meeting and also the Minister of Health, trying to make sure that we can keep the public as up to date as possible with the latest results that are coming in, and it is certainly a challenge, and we want to not come here without information because I know that members of the public look forward to receiving information from the government.
This coming Saturday will mark the 14 days of Shelter in Place for Bermuda. We have been guided by lessons that have been learned in other countries, and also the advice of our own public health experts. The imposition of the restrictions has been targeted, aimed at reducing the risk of community spread of the virus, and most of all, making sure that we save lives.
It is regrettable that the nature of this disease is such that it can end in the death of those of our most vulnerable demographics. Our mission therefore must be unchanged. We must protect all of our residents, especially our most vulnerable.
Therefore, following the unanimous recommendation of the Public Health Emergency Response Team, the Cabinet today determined that the current shelter in place regulations should be extended for an additional two weeks, through to 2 May.
I'm keenly aware of the impact that this extension will have on how we work, and live, and play.
There is an emotional and psychological effect on all of us as we seek to manage our response to this global pandemic. But, guided by the needs to save lives, we must continue the adjustment to our routines, and encourage our families and friends to comply with the new normal of social distancing and heightened personal hygiene.
The decision to extend this Shelter in Place was not taken lightly. But recognizing the financial hardship that it is imposing on many families and businesses, we understand the extreme stress, and I empathize with the extreme stress that many Bermudians are facing with the uncertainty that this is impacting us, and also the uncertainty, with the world.
We all long for and want for our lives to go back to the way they were before, but it is for the preservation of lives, the protection for health and safety our community that the Cabinet, upon the advice of our public health experts has made this decision.
I have spoken with the Leader of the Opposition to inform him of the decision of the Cabinet. The Leader of the Opposition I are trying to keep in close contact, as it is very important that these particular matters are handled in a bipartisan basis.
I've also informed his Excellency the Governor, and I will have my regular meeting with the Governor tomorrow morning at 9am to discuss this and I'll be able to give some further details about what may change over the next two weeks later in this press conference.
Today, I'm joined by the Minister of Health, Kim Wilson; the Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines; the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cheryl Peek Ball; and the Chief of Staff of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Dr. Michael Richmond. The Minister of Health, we'll start with an update from the Ministry of Health, and then we will go on to Chief Medical Officer, the Head of the hospital and the Minister of National Security.
Minister of Health remarks.
Dr. Peek Ball remarks.
Thank you very much Dr. Peek-Ball. The Chief Medical Officer has been doing fantastic work, her and her team. There are certainly good days and bad days, as we manage this particular pandemic. And today, I saw the Chief Medical Officer upstairs and she asked me how I was doing, and I said well today is a better day than others because we got some good news on the supplies front. So, from our perspective, we're continuing to chug along but I am grateful for the work and energy of the Chief Medical Officer and her entire staff and the dedication which they have to their craft because I'm sure that in the twilight of her career, she never thought that she would be dealing with a once in a century pandemic but that's what we have. And she's done an incredible job. I would like to now ask Dr. Richmond, the Chief of Staff of the Bermuda Hospital's Board who will discuss the recent preparations made by the hospital to handle the number of COVID-19 cases that are currently in the hospital and future cases.
Dr. Richmond’s remarks
Thank you very much, Dr. Richmond.
Dr. Richmond, I'd like to echo, your comments in giving thanks, certainly, to all of the staff, and doctors and nurses, and everyone else at the Bermuda Hospitals Board for all of the work which they have been doing over the last few months. I'm grateful. I managed to be in the hospital a few days ago, and I actually saw some of the work that is being done to convert existing space, and to make sure that there can be additional capacity in case that capacity is needed. I'm certain that our hospital is well prepared for any possible surge that may come, but our job is to make sure that that capacity is planned in the worst case scenario but never has to be actually used.
Thank you very much. I will now move on to the Minister of National Security, Minister Caines, who will give an update from the Ministry of National Security.
Minister of National Security’s remarks
Thank you Minister Caines. I echo your thanks to not only our Uniformed Services, but our stevedores who are working on the docks to make sure that Bermuda remains supplied.
As plans are being put in place to extend the Shelter in Place Order, a Cabinet subcommittee has been created to address a number of community concerns, including the need for laundromats to open and access to business supplies to make the best use of time at home for repairs to our own homes or upgrades, while we have to remain at our homes. The committee will make recommendations on how to address legitimate concerns raised during the initial Shelter in Place Order, under the simple condition that households continue to not mingle with other households, and to maintain social distance.
The committee will make recommendations and the determinations will be announced on Thursday to give persons, time to plan for the next two weeks.
The extension of the Shelter in Place will not be easy for many of us. I know that this is without question a challenge, and all of us want to get back to our regular lives and routines. Yet, as a people we must make this sacrifice, a sacrifice which is based on compassion for those of us who will die if they contract COVID-19. Compassion for our healthcare workers who will be overwhelmed and have their lives further put at risk, if we do not limit, and contain the spread of this virus.
However, while we sacrifice, we cannot let the economic effects of this pandemic be worse than the health effects of this pandemic. As an entrepreneur, I understand the incredible strain that this closure has caused many small and medium sized businesses. While we have announced relief for employees, many businesses also require said relief. Tomorrow we will be announcing our small and medium sized business relief package with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. In addition to the Minister of Finance, who will go over general matters to the economy and work which we're doing to ensure that our economic recovery can happen once we come out of this period of challenge.
I do want to say, on another note, dealing with small and medium sized businesses before I move on to the rest of my comments. To the email address premier@gov.bm last night, I received a number of messages from persons who run daycare centers who are upset at the comments I made last night. I'm a big enough man that I can apologize and I can say I'm sorry if I offended anyone due to the tone and nature of my comments. I did not try to loop everyone inside of the same group, and I recognize that there are different circumstances for different persons. I do understand that many daycare services are actually providing some formal learning and support, and I do recognize that others are taking care of their employees. As you have been closed down by the government, just like many other businesses, the relief package which will be announced tomorrow, will also be there to assist you during this difficult time.
Each of us must seek new ways to find this time for ourselves. We do have the opportunity to learn and grow during this Shelter in Place. We can take advantage of the free learning opportunities that are offered online or through the Department of Workforce Development and the FinTech business unit.
During the next two and a half weeks, I'm going to ask persons to take responsibility for their actions because unfortunately we are still hearing stories of people participating in activities which are at this point in time, unlawful, done in the full knowledge of increased cases and deaths that are occurring on our island.
The stories that I'm hearing or the breaches are taking place across racial and economic and social boundaries. And we have to remember that this disease does not see race, employment status, or nationality, and neither does the selfish reckless stupidity, that has revealed itself within our community. And yes I have said that, because in some cases people are being selfish, people are being reckless, and they are not acting with the basis of common sense.
Understand, every single point in time, that you mix and mingle with persons who are not a part of your household; whether they are still allowing children to go over to other person's houses for playdates, neighbors standing together and communing not wearing masks, and actually not maintaining social distancing and talking, you risk spreading this virus to your family. The reason why we are extending the Shelter in Place is the advice is for two complete incubation cycles, given the recent increase in cases which we've seen. If you do not follow it and observe these rules, you can put yourself and your family at risk.
The vast majority of Bermudians are following these rules and regulations and I implore you, if you are not, think about it. I do not want there to be a situation where there are more and more of our vulnerable persons who succumb to this illness. I know that this is not vital, but it is important to save lives.
As I close today, I'll reiterate that the Shelter in Place order will be extended until the 2 May. The measures that have been in place last week and this week will largely remain. There will be some modifications as I can recognize the pain and challenge that this may cause people who do not have laundry facilities at home, or who need access to certain items which are not there. However, we are going to make sure that we maintain that families should not intermingle to make sure they reduce any possible transmission of this virus. I also have to remind everyone, if you are leaving home, please wear a mask or a homemade face cover.
During this time, my Cabinet colleagues and I have been encouraged by the warm emails, phone calls and messages of support. I'm also encouraged by those persons who contact me to say, and make recommendations and suggestions on things we might want to consider doing differently. The job of the government is to represent all people, and certainly in this particular case and instance, we are all in this together.
We thank you and we are humbled to represent you at this critical time in our island’s history. Our island and its people remain at the center of our thoughts, our decisions, and our actions. Thank you for what has been an extraordinary long press conference, but I also will now welcome any questions that you may have.