Good Afternoon Bermuda, thank you for joining us.

Yesterday evening, all of Bermuda joined together to celebrate our first Gold Medalist - Flora Duffy. I watched in awe the tremendous athletic power of Flora.  Her steady and focused management of the three sets of disciplines was inspiring. It is beyond words to finally witness Bermuda winning gold at the Olympics. Flora has made us all proud. She showed true grit and resilience, and that’s who we are as a people. We’ve risen to the challenges, and no matter what we face on this small Island we call home, we have proved that we come together.

On behalf of the Government and her fellow Bermudians, we congratulate Flora on her victory; we look forward to her return to Bermuda when we celebrate her and her accomplishments. 

For the first time in over a year, the excitement of the Cup Match has returned to our communities and homes. Anticipation and enthusiasm have taken hold across the Island. Residents are once again sporting their Cup Match colours, flying their team flags and busily preparing for the holiday festivities. It is a fantastic time to be in Bermuda and to celebrate one of our favourite public holidays. 

To every Bermudian, Cup Match is so much more than a two-day cricket game. It is an integral part of Bermuda history. 

This year we have much to celebrate.  

• Since August 2020, of our population, a significant majority are now protected from severe illness.  Approximately 65% of our people are fully immunisedagainst the coronavirus. We are nearing our goal of community protection, and I continue to encourage those people who have not yet been vaccinated to discuss this with their doctors and take advantage of the opportunity to do so.

• With the successful introduction of SafeKey, anyone immunised or unimmunised who plans on attending Cup Match, can receive a SafeKey to enter the St. George’s Cricket Club grounds, allowing the club to host our beloved match safely. A valid ID is also required to ensure the correct person is using the SafeKey.  All residents who are fully immunised can access their vaccine-based Safekey online at www.gov.bm/safekey. Unimmunised residents can access Safekeys by getting tested for COVID-19 at a government testing location. A link to the Safekey document will be included in the negative test result email. Test-based Safekeys are valid for 72 hours (3 days after the test day). If you intend to go to the match on both days orattend any  event that requires a Safekey on Friday evening or Saturday, you will need to get your Safekeytomorrow, Wednesday, July 28th. The community testing sites, which will be open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. As a reminder, residents who get tested through a private lab may not have access to Safekey, depending on where test results are processed.

While there is much to celebrate, this is also a time for reflection and remembrance. This pandemic has caused heartbreak, and many families are grieving losses during one of our most family-centric holidays. In that spirit, also I encourage families and friends to check in on our vulnerable and seniors during the holiday. 

As I stated, everywhere you turn, the Cup Match fever is in the air, and though we all are due relaxation, we must not forget to remain responsible and vigilant on the roads and the water. 

During our holiday weekend, alongside our celebrations, we must look out for one another and follow the rules. 

This afternoon we will hear from the Acting Minister of Health, Minister Ernest Peets. 

We are also joined by the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Renee Ming. Both Ministers will provide the country with an update on enforcement and other vital matters. 

Thank you, Minister Peets and Minister Ming. 

In closing, last week, the Government of Bermuda presented a cheque to St Geroge’s Cricket Club to support hosting Cup Match 2021 with a $75,000 grant to ensure the event is a success. We recognise that it is a significant financial undertaking for the sports clubs to host the annual event.  

On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, we extend our congratulations to Neil Paynter, president of St George’s Cricket Club and the club officers for their hard work in preparing the grounds in anticipation of the 2021 Classic. I also extend heartfelt good luck to both cricket teams, and I wish all of Bermuda a safe and happy holiday weekend. 

Happy Cup Match!