As announced yesterday (Aug.18), SafeKey will be required for indoor public spaces where masks are permitted to be removed, namely; indoor dining, bars, clubs, and sports/members clubs as well as attending a gym/fitness facility. 

These updated adjustments to the Public Health Regulations and protocols come into effect tomorrow (Aug. 20) at 6.00 pm.

This evening a Government spokesperson said, “For clarity, SafeKey is only required when dining indoors. Members of the public do not require a SafeKey to dine outdoors.

This evening the Minister of Health, Kim Wilson said, “The scale of this outbreak is such that we must make some adjustments to the Public Health Regulations and protocols. We cannot ignore the fact that we now have 113 active cases. However, this is not 2020 and the progress we have made in vaccinating 75% of our eligible population means that we can adjust but not interrupt our everyday lives and continue to safely enjoy this summer. 

Though we are a couple of weeks removed, it is my first opportunity to say that I hope everyone in Bermuda had a safe and enjoyable Cup Match holiday. It was a long-awaited celebration not only of our history and our culture but of the progress that we have made as a country against the coronavirus.

Such celebrations were not possible a year ago. However, with our strong testing regime, continually improving vaccination rate, and tools such as SafeKey, we have been able to see the return of Cup Match and other large outdoor events.  

The Department of Corrections is advising the public of a series of updated procedures for visitors to the facilities.

A Department spokesperson explained that the guidelines have been put in place to protect Corrections Officers and staff, inmates and visitors from the coronavirus.

Of particular note, all correction facilities, including Westgate, will now require Government’s official COVID-19 SafeKey for all open visits.

And those planning to schedule a visit to an inmate should email their verified SafeKey to the respective facility:

The public is reminded about the need to use SafeKey and follow the SafeKey guidelines for both indoor as well as outdoor events and activities.

And more specifically, vaccination cards, vaccine certificates, or a negative test result are not authorised methods of access into any SafeKey event, venue or activity. 

Attendees must have a SafeKey QR code.

The public is urged to remain vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves and others from the coronavirus. 

Good Afternoon Bermuda, thank you for joining us.

Thank you, Acting Premier. Like you and all of Bermuda, I am simply thrilled and overjoyed about Flora's historic Olympic gold medal win for Bermuda.

I cannot offer enough congratulations to her as an extraordinary athlete and to her family. This incredible accomplishment has been hard-fought and thoroughly deserved. 

And Bermudians around the world are overjoyed that one of our own has brought us one of the proudest moments in our country's history.

So Flora, we cannot wait to welcome you back home so we can celebrate your achievement.

………………………….

There were 6535 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and three (3) were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.05%.

These results are from testing done on:

•       Monday, July 19: 0 positive out of 2206 results (0.0% positivity)
•       Tuesday, July 20: 2 positive out of 2127 results (0.09% positivity)
•       Wednesday, July 21: 1 positive out of 2202 results (0.05% positivity)

There were 8302 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and five were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.06%. 

These results are from testing done on:

§  Thursday, July 15: 1 positive out of 2769 results (0.04% positivity)

§  Friday, July 16: 1 positive out of 1862 results (0.05% positivity)

§  Saturday, July 17: 2 positive out of 1869 results (0.11% positivity)

All 5 of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

This weekend’s Eastern Counties Match will take place at Sea Breeze Oval and will be a SafeKey event.

Anyone wishing to attend must be in possession of a valid SafeKey and a valid ID which will be checked to ensure the SafeKey is being used by the correct person.

Those who need to be tested to receive a SafeKey, and have not done so already, can get a coronavirus test tomorrow, 16 July, at the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard or at Bull’s Head Car Park, Hamilton from 10am-3pm.