The Cabinet Office today advised that this year’s Remembrance Day observance will be a closed event. There will be no public admission to the Cabinet Office grounds and the following streets will be closed from 9:30am on 11 November:
- Front Street between Queen and King Streets.
- Parliament Street between Front and Reid Streets.
- Court Street between Front and Reid Streets.
Streets will reopen at the conclusion of the ceremony at around 12:00pm.
The Governor, His Excellency John Rankin CMG stated “We rightly join together each year to remember all those Bermudians who have served in the armed forces, including in time of war. While this year’s ceremony will necessarily be different from those held in past years, our wreaths will again be laid in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and indeed all those who have fought and served to protect the democratic freedoms that we enjoy today.”
Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP added, “Our veterans gave so much of themselves through their service in the armed forces at a time of world conflict and turmoil. This year of 2020 sees Bermuda and the world combatting another enemy in COVID-19. Bermuda continues to do well in managing this pandemic response and that is because of public compliance with public health guidelines and a strong testing regime. The very men and women we honour on this day for their defense of Bermuda and the world are those who we must now protect.”
Invited guests will lay wreaths including:
- The Governor;
- The Honourable Premier;
- The Leader of the Opposition;
- A representative for all War Veterans and service persons;
- A representative for the Allied Nations; and
- A representative for all uniformed services.
The Royal Bermuda Regiment will support the ceremony with a Guard on parade.
Bermuda’s observance will be similar to that planned for the Cenotaph in London where a closed event with wreath laying is scheduled.
Individuals or organizations wishing to lay a wreath may do so at the end of the Ceremony and are strongly encouraged to exercise the appropriate physical distancing and observe all public health guidelines.