The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne M. Caines, JP, MP, advised that he will host a meeting with Bermuda's faith-based community on Monday (March 16), to discuss the Government of Bermuda's COVID-19 preparation and guidance plans regarding large social gatherings.

The Minister notes that during the meeting, the National Security Ministry's Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team (DRRM) will outline some suggested precautionary methods that have been recommended by health experts and professionals.

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that today an incorrect number was provided as a COVID-19 hotline on the Dr Dowling radio show by Dr Janie Brown, and it is appearing on the Facebook pages of numerous physicians and dentists. The number is not correct. The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Hotline is being set up and will be announced through normal Government official channels next week.

The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports, Lovitta Foggo has confirmed that both the 39th Annual Sports Awards and the 36th Annual Premier's Concert have been postponed this weekend.

This follows Premier David Burt's announcement yesterday that due to the concerns of Covid-19 and its associated health risks, major government public events would not take place for the next four weeks.

Good evening.

As I indicated in my remarks yesterday, it is important that we learn the lessons from other countries that are managing actual confirmed cases and taking clear steps to protect their citizens. This Government is determined to do all that we can to prevent harm to our local population. We do not have a confirmed case in Bermuda, but we must, and we are preparing for a worst-case scenario and take steps to reduce the potential for any unknown community spread.

Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport received confirmation that Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) and Ponant Cruises for the Le Boreal ship have suspended cruises.

Following the announcement that NCL has voluntarily suspended all cruise voyages embarking between March 13 and April 11, 2020, the Ministry can confirm that seven cruises scheduled to travel to Bermuda have effectively been suspended.

Also announced today was the suspension of Ponant Cruises for their call on April 29.

Last night the Minister of Health used powers under Section 9 of the Quarantine Act 2017 to instate a travel ban disallowing entry to visitors travelling from the four countries where there is sustained community spread of COVID-19: China, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea: Daegu or Cheongdo. The list will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as the situation evolves.

Dr. Cheryl Peek-Ball, the Chief Medical Officer stated, “We recognize that the World Health Organization today declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic. The declaration of a pandemic is based on the geographical spread of the disease and not a change in its severity. The World Health Organization Director General stated: ‘Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.’ The Ministry of Health will continue to prepare for COVID-19.

Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP MP

Mr Speaker and Honourable Members,

I know everyone in Bermuda is getting into a state of preparedness for the potential arrival of Covid-19 to our shores. I want to give this House and my Honourable colleagues assurance that the Government is taking proactive steps to effectively respond to this global outbreak.

Over the weekend, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the global number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000.

In their statement, WHO called on all countries to continue efforts that have been effective in limiting the number of cases and slowing the spread of the virus. 

The Ministry of Health can confirm that as of today, 8th March 2020, there are 22 persons who are self-monitoring with public health supervision.