Good day Bermuda and thank you for joining us
Today, Bermuda laid to rest a Bermudian public servant, a Bermudian leader and our friend. Former Speaker of the House and MP for Southampton East, Stanley Lowe. In a pre-COVID-19 world he and his family would have received the pomp and circumstance of an official funeral, and the line of speakers to give him the recognition and accolades which he deserved would have covered the gamut of past and present political, social and community leadership. Sadly with COVID-19 and physical distancing, we could not give him the home going ceremony that a man of his accomplishment and stature deserved.
We who serve in the House of Assembly, meet on Friday and I am certain that the outpouring of admiration, respect and stories of Speaker Lowe will provide some comfort until the day when we can properly and fully recognize this fallen Bermudian. Our prayers are with his family and with all who knew, loved and admired Speaker Lowe.
I am pleased today to have with me, Minister of Health Kim Wilson, the Minister of Public Works Lt. Col. David Burch, the Minister of National Security Wayne Caines and Bermudian biochemist and Science Advisor to the Government of Bermuda, Dr. Carika Weldon.
Minister Wilson will give an update on COVID-19 testing results and the work being conducted by the Minister of Health.
MINISTER OF HEALTH SPEAKS
Thank you Minister.
Following on from the Minister of Health, we have with us Dr. Carika Weldon, a young Bermudian woman of international acclaim who we are truly fortunate to have with us on island aiding us in the fight against COVID-19. I first met Dr. Weldon three and a half years ago when she came back to Bermuda to speak at Thinkfest, hosted by Ayo Johnson. Since that time I have been incredibly impressed with her dedication to promoting science in Bermuda.
She has started a foundation in Bermuda to raise money to expose young residents to science. She has mentored many students here and she has hosted international conferences in Bermuda to discuss cutting edge topics in genetics such as gene splicing. She is a member of the Royal Society of Biologists and recently became a Fellow of the Institute of Biological Medical Science.
Dr. Weldon gave this presentation to our Cabinet yesterday, and I thought it would be great to share with the country so that we all can have a better understanding of how testing can assist in defeating COVID-19.
She will be discussing the work that she's doing in conjunction with the Ministry of Health to keep Bermuda in a global leadership position containing this particular pandemic. Now, I give warning before Dr. Weldon starts, that some of the items that what she covers are particularly technical, and I know that there are slides to accompany this, and I apologize that there might be some interruption of our services for the hearing impaired, but we are going to make sure that this video was put out later so that those persons who are hearing impaired can make sure they can get the full information that Dr. Weldon is putting forward. With that, Dr. Weldon.
DR. WELDON SPEAKS
Thank you Dr. Weldon and thank you again for coming home and the work that you and your team are doing.
I can say without fear of contradiction, if it were not for your tenacity to assist us in scaling up our testing capacity, we would not be leaders globally in testing our population for the novel coronavirus. And I have to say this although some people get upset at me, the slings and arrows that the minority in Bermuda have tried to throw at you should be deflected by the enormous admiration, that young and old, black and white and everyone holds towards your particular accomplishments and your work and your country is incredibly proud of you.
Now we have Minister of Public Works, Lieutenant Colonel David birch, who review the guidelines for entry to government offices, and the work that is being done within his Ministry, Colonel.
MINISTER BURCH SPEAKS
Thank you Minister Burch.
The Bermuda Police Service and the Royal Bermuda Regiment will be enforcing the evening curfew between 10pm and 6am, conducting both patrols and checkpoints. The Regiment is keen to ensure that essential and exempted people are inconvenienced as little as possible.
Enforcing the regulations during daylight hours means the police and regiment will ensure they have a visible presence in public spaces. The public should expect to see regulations enforced at all public parks, beaches, golf courses, railway trails, and authorized businesses.
The Coastguard will enforce the regulations on Bermuda’s water. This will include commercial boats, pleasure crafts, and areas such as inshore waters, harbours, private docks, recreational areas, and marinas.
There will be an increase in the number of Regiment soldiers working over the weekends to deter large gatherings and to inform the public of the regulations. The public is advised to re-read the legislation and the physical distancing and closures document so you are do not accidently in breach of regulations.
Under the current regulations there remain specific categories of business that must remain closed for example: bars and clubs, spas, gyms, barbers, beauty salons, sports clubs and restaurant dine-in services.
For other businesses, the law still requires an employer to arrange for his or her employees to work remotely from home if that is reasonably practicable. Those businesses that cannot operate remotely, such as construction, landscaping, or the outdoors showing the real estate are no longer required to not operate, but what is important is that appropriate physical distancing is strictly observed.
Customers are not permitted to enter the business premises so that any businesses provided are only available for curbside, delivery collection or done via phone, and the internet.
It is still not allowed for any employer to force an employee to come into work where that person can reasonably work from home. Any employer who does that will be in violation of the law. Mandated working from home in the private sector does not end until phase three. Where appropriate physical distancing is not observed, the regulations permit the Minister of Health to close the business until there is compliance with these important public health conditions.
The devastating impacts of COVID-19 has created massive economic disruption and displacement to workers around the world. Here in Bermuda, we began to address this impact to our economy through the introduction of the new unemployment benefit, which is seen $15 million paid out to date, and provides a safety net for our workers through this programme. Additionally, to support small and medium sized businesses, the Minister of Finance has given a grant of $12 million to the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation to assist those businesses during this time.
On Friday, the House of Assembly will meet to pass legislation that will provide further economic relief to Bermudians. Under the proposed amendments to the national pension scheme, which were approved by the Cabinet yesterday we will expand the scope of existing provisions for financial hardship to include a one-time withdrawal of up to $12,000, from person’s individual pension accounts.
There are those who will raise legitimate questions and legitimate concerns about the impact this could have on the long-term health of person’s individual pensions. We share those concerns. But it is clear that this is not any normal time. Funds like this should only be accessed in emergency situations. And it is undoubted that the massive amount of unemployment that is seen in our economy due to the restrictions that are necessary to put in place to preserve life is such an emergency.
The reality is that there are people suffering today, who need assistance today and the overall health of our economy requires help today. This money is Bermudians’ savings, largely overseas and bringing some of that money home is the right move at this time.
This will have no impact on anyone currently receiving pensions and no impact on those persons set to be eligible to receive pensions over the next couple of years.
It is important to note that withdrawals can only be made from individual defined contribution plans, what we call private pensions. Withdrawals cannot be made from Government’s Social Insurance Fund, or it cannot be made by public officers or those persons who work in quangos, such as the Hospital and other places from the Public Service Superannuation Fund, or public officer pensions.
These are defined benefit plans and other defined benefit plans are not eligible for this one time withdrawal. So, to put it simply, you will not be allowed to dip into anyone else's savings. These funds will come from individual savings that persons have saved up over the years. It is your money and at a time like this, your money can be used to help our economy.
Applications for participation in this relief initiative will be administered by the current pension plan administrators.
In developing this relief programme, we consulted with the Opposition who have agreed to allow a process which normally takes weeks to be conducted in one day in the House of Assembly on Friday. I am grateful to the Opposition for their support and cooperation in moving this forward. I am also grateful to the Speaker of the House for allowing us to be able to move this in virtual session on Friday.
This relief and initiative has also received the endorsement and support of Bermuda's Pension Commission. The Minister of Finance will provide further details on how to apply for this relief and other details once the legislation has completed the legislative process.
I encourage everyone to listen to the House of Assembly on Friday, when we will have another virtual session. You can hear the details of the plan as the details are laid out. And the House of Assembly debates this legislation on how we can help Bermudian families navigate these extraordinary challenging times.
On Friday the House of Assembly will also debate the new regulations which were put in place to govern Phase One.
I would like to remind persons who are at home who are watching and for those persons who are suffering emotional or mental distress to please take advantage of the hotline which has been established. That number is 543-1111.
Before I close tonight, I would like to echo the Minister of Health in reminding persons to wear masks in public, and continue to practice your physical distancing. The only way that Bermuda is going to keep this virus at bay is if all of us follow the rules which have been laid out. Any person who does not causes an issue for all of us. The closer we adhere to the rules, the more we avoid leaving the house unnecessarily, the sooner that we can start moving to the next phases.
When you leave your house, it is very important that you continue to practice physical distancing. I know that it is difficult sometimes to be patient and to wait inside of these particularly long lines, but this is our new normal. The only way that we are going to be successful is if we adhere to these guidelines.
So please be kind, be considerate, and be patient. And I would like to thank the team at Bermemes in conjunction with Coral Coast Clothing, who donated these wonderful new Bermuda face masks, which I'm sure are lovely for all to wear. Thank you for them.
The health and safety of each and every one of you remains our driving motivation at the heart of all the decisions which we make. Our hearts go out to everyone who has lost loved ones, who have loved ones currently wrestling with this disease. Our hearts go out to the workers and businesses that have seen their ability to provide for their families and meet their obligations significantly diminished. And our thanks go out to everyone, everywhere across our community that has done their part to help our community get through this.
The next press conference will take place on Monday afternoon at 5:45pm. We will not be having a press conference this week Friday, as the House of Assembly will be meeting in virtual session and all persons are encouraged to listen to the House of Assembly session that will be taking place while we would normally be here doing our press conference.
We will pick up again next week for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, where we will have more details on what is necessary required to advance Bermuda from Phase One on to Phase Two. There will be presentations from other Ministers on the various initiatives that the Government is taking to move the country forward.
Before I close, I would like to thank all of those persons in the community who are supporting each other in the search for the missing young lady Chavelle Dillon-Burgess. I just would like to say thank you for your efforts in that search. It proves that we as a community can work together in times of crisis.
With that close and I'm happy to take any questions from members of the media.