As we close out our formal weekly press briefings, I wish to take this opportunity to provide an overview of the work done by the various Departments under the Ministry of National Security. Each of the individuals who work in these sections performed a vital, essential and invaluable service during this pandemic. And their work continues.
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) and the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) provided a critical front line role over the last five months. Working in partnership, the BPS and RBR monitored the road side check points during the curfew periods.
The BPS and Regiment also worked 24-7 during our phased reopening process to ensure that residents and businesses adhered to the COVID-19 guidelines and regulations that were in place.
Specifically, as it relates to the RBR, its embodiment since March 19th, represents the longest embodiment in Bermuda since WWII. The RBR’s mission has been to support the Bermuda Government in its COVID-19 response and this mission has been fulfilled on land and at sea, in the following ways:
- Shelter-in Place and Curfew Period.
During the Shelter in Place period, the Regiment mounted advisory points day and night across the island to ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines were followed. When the Shelter-in-Place period ended, the RBR had registered 270,000 advisory checks.
- Public Patrols.
During and after the Shelter-In-Place period the Regiment patrolled public spaces to advise people of the physical distancing regulations and to gather information that would guide government policy.
- Testing Facilities.
The RBR supported the Department of Health’s testing programme by the Regiment providing soldiers to assist in managing the testing sites.
- Bermuda Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has conducted the dual roles of enforcing the COVID-19 regulations and enforcing maritime law. The unit has been embodied continuously since the start of the pandemic conducting over 800 patrols, providing an average of over 16-hours a day of on-water coverage, and in conjunction with the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre has been providing a 24 hour search and rescue response.
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team:
Over the last five months, in order to manage the COVID-19 crisis, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation team (DRRM) led 38 Emergency Measures Organisation meetings to coordinate the health and public safety response effort. The DRRM team also played a critical role in managed the Government Quarantine Facilities. Members of the team oversaw the logistics for arriving flights, arriving passengers and coordinated the full management of the six quarantine facilities.
Regarding Curfew Exemptions, the DRRM team managed much of this process. More specifically, the DRRM team received in excess of 5,000 applications for exemptions under the Emergency Powers Shelter in Place Regulations. Under the Emergency Powers Legislation, permissions were also granted by the DRRM team to allow approved business to open during the Shelter in Place period and during the various phases of reopening. Regarding exemptions for large groups and gatherings, to date, around 30 exemptions have been granted to date. DRRM also worked with the Third Sector’s Coordinated Crisis Response Effort (CCRE) to align the needs of essential service providers with resources during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Switching to the Prison Service, in March the Department of Corrections immediately implemented a response team to deal with COVID-19 pandemic. The team was tasked with identifying response phases, ensuring that any risks associated with the COVID-19 were mitigated and minimized. The response team also finalized the department’s pandemic plan during this period.
During phase 1 of the pandemic plan the DOC executed the following:-
- Implementation of 14-day quarantine for inmates received into custody commenced.
- In-house visits were suspended.
- All inmate day passes were immediately suspended and adjustments made to the reception procedures for inmates i.e. pre-screening of inmates
Once there were confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda, the DOC took the following actions:-
- Mandated non-security staff to work remotely
- Suspended non-emergency escorts; and
- Suspended the work release programme until further notice
- Cancelled all face to face visits and substituted them with virtual visits
The DOC implemented its recovery plan on May 4, which was in alignment with the Government of Bermuda’s reopening plans. At this time, non-security staff returned to work on a phased basis. Additionally:
- COVID-19 testing took place for inmates during the last two weeks of May. All results were negative. And there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff or inmates to date.
- On June 11, the Department of Corrections commenced Phase 3 of its recovery plan.
- On-site inmate visits continued to be suspended; and virtual visits and phone calls to family and friends continued
- 80% of the non-security staff returned to work at the facilities with staggered scheduling
- Contractors were allowed into the facilities for emergency repairs.
The Department of Corrections staff must be commended for working diligently under very stressful conditions throughout this pandemic. As we continue to move to a “new norm”, the Acting Commissioner of the Department of Corrections will continue to monitor the risk levels and put measures in place to mitigate these risks so that the operations can fully resume.
Lastly, a few words regarding the work of the Gang Violence Reduction Team, led by Pastor Leroy Bean. The Covid 19 pandemic has caused significant socio-economic challenges for a large portion of our community.
What we have come to understand during this pandemic is that social and financial instability leads to stress and added tension, and added tensions can often lead to anti-social behavior and violence. In response the Gang Violence Reduction Team along with The Coordinated Crisis Response Unit (CCR) have been hard at work during the pandemic addressing tensions and maintaining a presence in our at risk neighbourhoods.
The GVRT have provided our affected families, individuals and young people with much needed emotional support, counselling and emergency services during these times of hardship.
We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of the Gang Violence Reduction Mitigation Team who have worked under some difficult circumstances to keep Bermuda’s neighborhoods and communities safe.
Finally as I close, I would be remiss if I did not express a note of thanks to the former Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines JP, MP. From the onset of the pandemic, the former Minister demonstrated his commitment and dedication to keeping our island safe by mobilizing and coordinating the resources within the Ministry and throughout the community. MP Caines was on the frontlines each day standing shoulder to shoulder with our essential workers making sure that Bermuda and its people were protected. And we thank him for his guidance and his invaluable contribution during this pandemic.
Bermuda, the pandemic has no doubt affected the entire world in a way that most of us have never seen before, and its effects on our island have been no different. But we have managed this crisis extremely well, thanks in large part to the critical work of our essential workers within the Ministry of National Security. COVID-19 continues to be with us. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and comply with the policies put in place. I urge residents – please do not become complacent.
Please continue to follow the health guidance and recommendations in place to protect you and your families. One final word regarding raft-ups. There has been a change to the regulations. No more than three boats in close proximity. You will now be aware that the Ministry of National Security has increased the group assembly size from 50 persons to 75 persons. These regulations fall under the Public Health Regulations Section 5.3 A. Approvals are subject to consultation with the Ministry of Health.
I am happy to advise the general public that guidelines and the application form for large group exemptions are available on the Government portal (www.gov.bm). If you see any breaches of the COVID-19 regulations by persons or businesses – please do not hesitate to call 211 to report the violations.
Thank you.