This evening (April 20), the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne M. Caines, JP, MP, provided the following update during the COVID-19 press briefing.
Minister Caines said, “The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) continue their deployment across the island providing support in a variety of capacities. In partnership with the BPS the RBR recorded the following stops at the Community Advisory Points over a three day period. On Friday 15,213 stops were recorded. On Saturday – there were 8,596 stops; and on Sunday, the RBR recorded 5,031 stops.
“We expect that over the next two weeks there will be more movement on our roads due to more businesses being granted approval to operate. With more residents travelling on our roads there will be longer lines at our community check points.
“To be clear, the Bermuda Regiment will continue to be vigilant in checking vehicles at the stop points. I encourage commuters to exercise patience during this process and to have your identification on hand in order to avoid delays at the check points.
“The RBR is also assisting the Ministry of National Security in the processing of exemption requests. And they continue to provide an invaluable service in supporting our healthcare workers at the BHB and Department of Health. Lastly as the public can appreciate, there are approximately 200 soldiers currently mobilized. We have instituted a plan where they are housed in various locations around the island. This is an efficient protocol, because it reduces the travel time of our soldiers – and – more importantly this helps mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure to our soldiers. I wish to just extend my sincere thanks on behalf of the Ministry to the Acting Commanding Officer, Major Benjamin Beasley, the RBR leadership and of course to all our men and women in the Royal Bermuda Regiment for their service and their sacrifice in helping to keep Bermuda safe.”
The Minister also provided an update regarding the Shelter in Place regulations for permitted businesses, which became effective today Monday, 20th April.
Minister Caines said, “Over the weekend, the Ministry of National Security worked to ensure that a process was in place so that businesses could get the requisite approvals. Throughout the day, we have been processing online submissions received from a number of businesses seeking to operate during this next Shelter in Place period.
“As of 5.00 p.m. today, I can confirm that we have received 82 submissions in total, with 50 approved and 32 pending approval. As part of our process we acknowledge receipt of a submitted application and advise the applicant that we will subsequently notify them as to whether they have been successful in receiving permission to operate. We will provide a list of those approved businesses in due course.”
“Lastly, we appreciate that his has been a very anxious process for some businesses. And I want to thank them for sharing their feedback, suggestions and concerns regarding operating a service during the Shelter in Place period. We continue to ask for their patience as we work through this approval process.
“Again, I think it’s critically important to remind the public that we must ensure that we are following the health guidance to protect all our residents from the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. We have an obligation and responsibility to uphold the safeguarding of our community. Any businesses that are approved will be under strict operational guidelines and we urge the public to adhere to them. It’s important to remember that these guidelines are in place to save lives.”