LARGE GROUP EXEMPTION :- The Bermuda Industrial Union

PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 EMERGENCY POWERS)

(PHASED RE-OPENING) REGULATIONS 2021

LARGE GROUP EXEMPTION

Whereas the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport considers that Chris Furbert of the Bermuda Industrial Union is justifying an exemption from the prohibition in regulation 5(5) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-opening) Regulations 2021 on groups of more than 50 persons assembling;

Now therefore, the Minister grants an exemption under regulation 5(5) of those Regulations to Chris Furbert of the Bermuda Industrial Union and 49 Union Square Pembroke HM12, permitting a gathering of 90 persons to assemble for the purposes of a Special Delegates Conference on 6th January 2022 and 7th January 2022 from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily, at St. Paul’s AME Church Hall and 59 Victoria Street City of Hamilton HM12 (50 persons), Dr. E.F. Gordon Hall (20 persons) and Sweeting-Ball Hall (20 persons) and 49 Union Square Pembroke HM12 subject to all public health laws and regulations in place at the time of your event, the standard large group conditions below.

Standard Large Group Conditions:

1. The number of attendees at any event cannot exceed 50% of the normal capacity at any indoor or outdoor setting. ‘Attendees’ include hosts, organizers, staff, volunteers, players, coaches, officials, spectators and vendors.
2. Both a SafeKey and an antigen test are required for attendees at gatherings above the permitted number of persons. Event workers and sport groups can use the antigen testing framework in the Return to Play Guidance. SafeKeys must be checked against a valid ID with name and date of birth, and be verified on https://verify.gov.bm/ prior to entry, per guidance at www.gov.bm/safekey. Antigen tests must taken the day of event.
3. Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors by staff and patrons if 6 foot distancing cannot be maintained, unless eating or drinking, or with members of one household or during physical exertion, per Public Health Guidelines at: www.gov.bm/mask-guidance
4. Contact tracing details must be collected from all attendees including full name, date and time of visit, phone and email in case there is a positive case in attendance.
5. Signage must be available throughout indoor and outdoor settings encouraging physical distancing and indoor mask wearing.
6. Marshalls must be deployed at the rate of 1 Marshall per 50 attendees, in particular at the entrance, bathrooms, food and drink vending, and narrow and enclosed areas to enforce 6 foot distancing, hand hygiene and mask wearing. Marshalls can include adult staff, volunteers and security. The event organiser shall identify the Marshalls by name to compliance and enforcement officers.
7. Sanitizing stations must be available at the entrance of any indoor setting and on tables and bar counters.
8. Lines for food, drinks and bathrooms must be marked to ensure 6 feet a distance between each person waiting in line.
9. Staff should complete the online Infection Prevention Control training available at: www.gov.bm/infection-prevention-and-control-training
10. Food and beverage vendors must comply with Environmental Health licensing and food hygiene regulations and requirements.
11. Employees must be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 at the start of their shift. Sick employees must be directed to stay home or immediately go home if they feel or appear sick.
12. Adhere to cleaning and disinfecting Public Health guidelines at: https://www.gov.bm/covid-19-guidance-events-and-gatherings
13. WeHealth is strongly encouraged as it will help contain an outbreak in case of a positive case at any event whether above or below the permitted number.
14. A copy of this “Letter of no objection” for the Large Group gathering and the conditions must be posted at the entrance and clearly visible and kept on file to be made available upon request

The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport reserves the right to withdraw the permission to have more than the permitted number of persons assembled at the event without notice or cost to the Bermuda Government subject to the status of COVID-19 in the local community.

The Bermuda Police Service and Officials from the Ministries of National Security, Health and Youth, Culture and Sport have right to attend and observe compliance of the conditions as prescribed above.

Dr. The Honourable Ernest G. Peets, JP

Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport

4^th January 2022