In an effort to assist, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport advises the public to adhere to the following updated instructions and procedures.

Vehicle owners that hold a valid TCD vehicle examination pass certificate and required to renew their vehicle licenses by March 31, 2020, can do so by following this two-step procedure:

Good afternoon.

I apologize for the delay in today’s press conference. What is most important is that I am providing full and accurate information to the people of Bermuda. There are a number of moving parts and I wanted to make sure that I am fully briefed so that I could answer any particular questions and that the Minister of Health, the Chief Medical Officer, and the Minister of National Security were all in the loop as to the latest development. So again, I apologize for the delay.

Good afternoon.

I want to start this evening with a thank you.

There are many people who are working around the clock to help put processes in place that make a difference to the lives of Bermudians during this unprecedented global pandemic. We have come together and we are all working together. Bermuda, with the rest of the world, is facing a new reality. We are operating together like never before.

The Ministry of National Security issued the following Cyber Security advisory amid COVID-19.

Today the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Caines said, “With global and local attention focused on COVID-19 it's important to also consider the increasing cybersecurity risks. There are reports from other countries that malicious parties are already exploiting this situation for phishing attacks, to spread malware, hoaxes and other threatening activities.”

Following the first full day of stricter measures implemented to reduce the risk of community spread of Covid19, Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, this afternoon reminded the public of the non-essential business closures which were extended yesterday to include retail stores, cinemas, restaurants and bars. The Premier said, “This Order was not made lightly and represents the Government’s determination to reduce the inherent risks of community spread of this virus that occurs when numbers of people are engaged in even ordinary activities.”

The Bermuda Post Office (BPO) is issuing the following COVID-19 related advisory.

As a reminder, and given the current developments with COVID-19, in an effort to limit public and staff exposure, all BPO frontline customer services closed to the public March 20. The offices will remain closed until further notice. This means that local and international mail intake ceased as of March 20.

Good afternoon and thank you for coming.

I am joined today by the Minister of National Security, the Minister of Health, the Commissioner of Police and the acting Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

By now the additional social distancing measures I announced yesterday have come into effect and in addition to those activities previously suspended, retail stores, cinemas and bars are closed for a period of seven days and restaurants are limited to take out service only.

The public is advised that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will resume normal Air Traffic Services (ATS) in the New York Centre airspace covering Bermuda from 9.15 pm today.

This will allow WestJet Airlines and Delta Airlines to operate repatriation flights enabling Bermudian and Canadian residents to return home.

To that end, a WestJet flight will operate on 24 March 2020 departing Toronto at 2:00 PM arriving in Bermuda at 5:39 pm. The Flight will then depart Bermuda at 6:30 PM arriving in Toronto at 8:30 pm.

The Ministry of Public Works and the Department of Works and Engineering advises the public that concerns raised by workers in the Waste Management section have temporarily disrupted garbage collection services. 

As part of our mandate to provide reliable garbage collection services, we are committed to working with the BIU and its members to resolve the issue raised and restore this essential service as soon as possible. Dialogue is ongoing and a meeting is scheduled tomorrow to address the concerns.

Hello Bermuda:
In these unusual and unfamiliar times, it is more important than ever that each of us does our part to be “our brother’s keeper.”  

For our part, the Ministry of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports is doing what it can to assist the many people that have found themselves displaced and their financial future uncertain due to Covid -19.
Recently I advised employers and employees to contact the Labour Relations Section for advice and guidance on how best to move forward whilst remaining compliant with the Employment Act 2000.