Good evening Bermuda,
I wish to begin by speaking to matters to do with the Department of Corrections. This evening, the Ministry of National Security can advise that there are confirmed positive Covid-19 cases within the Department of Corrections. I can also confirm that all persons have been tested.
The positive cases have been isolated and I can assure the community that all of the necessary health protocols and recommendations are being followed in accordance with guidance from the Department of Health.
I want to stress this evening that the health and safety of the Officers, staff and inmates at the Department of Corrections is our paramount concern.
And while this is a concerning development, I want to assure the public that we are taking all of the necessary actions and precautions to ensure that those who work and reside at our correctional facilities are safeguarded and protected from the Covid-19 virus.
As a note, the Department of Corrections has a specialised response team that is focused on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team is tasked with ensuring that any risks associated with COVID-19 are mitigated in accordance with the department’s pandemic plan.
I want to take this opportunity to commend our staff for working diligently under very stressful conditions throughout this pandemic.
We will continue to closely monitor the risk levels and put measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of all.
Switching to public safety, earlier this week, I addressed the recent crime related incidences in the East End which were cause for some concern for our entire community.
I’m referring to the home invasion and the three vehicle fires.
As I said in my recent public comments, few acts of crime can be more frightening than to have the safety and peace of one’s home violently disturbed by someone brandishing a gun.
I can certainly empathize with the angst and anxiety that our community is currently feeling.
After 10 months of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought with it stressors that all of Bermuda is challenged with, the incidents of the past few days are quite disheartening.
This evening, I can offer the following update as it relates to the investigation into these incidents.
On Monday, December 14, I had an opportunity to discuss last weekend’s home invasion and firearm incident with the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) and the Gang Violence Coordinator.
The BPS are treating the armed invasion as an attempted murderincident.
And as of today, I can report that the Serious Crime Unit is actively progressing investigations into recent events in St. George’s, including the spate of car fires.
The Team is confident that a court appearance in the attempted murder incident is likely in the near future, and the BPS is working with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in this regard. I wish to assure our community these lawless acts by a few are being dealt with by those who are working around the clock to keep our communities safe.
In that regard, I wish to commend the Bermuda Police Service for working swiftly to arrest those responsible, as well as the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service for their efforts in extinguishing the vehicle fires.
As we turn our attention to ensuring the community’s compliance of the updated COVID-19 regulations, I wish to advise that the the BPS’s COVID Compliance Team continue to be active in visiting various businesses, bars and restaurants to ensure that patrons and establishments are engaging in the appropriate health and safety protocols.
In addition to checking in on those licensed premises that remain open the Team is also making night-time visits to ensure that businesses and patrons are complying with the current curfew regulations in place. Additionally, next week the BPS will begin conducting their road sobriety checkpoints.
These will take place over Christmas and the New Year periods. So we’re urging the public to be mindful and make sensible choices.
Lastly, as always, I wish to encourage our community to please exercise personal responsibly and common sense over this holiday period. While we understand that this is typically the time of year for hosting seasonal gatherings and “house-hopping”, we simply cannot engage in this type of behaviour this year – for obvious reasons.
As the Premier and the Minister of Health have said repeatedly, please continue to keep your family and friend bubbles small. Please continue to follow the health guidelines to protect you and your families.
And finally, if you are in attendance at any establishment or location around the island and see any breaches of the COVID-19 regulations by persons or businesses – please do not hesitate to call 2-11 to report the violations.
Thank you.