COVID-19 Update – Premier Remarks 29 September
I begin today’s press conference on a sombre note. On behalf of the Government of Bermuda and the people of Bermuda, I express my condolences to the family and friends of the young lady who lost her life at the hands of a heartless murderer on Sunset Lane, last evening in Pembroke during the early hours of this morning.
It pained me to have to console another mother at the KEMH into the wee hours of the morning, along with the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming and Pastor Leroy Bean as a result of such a horrifically violent act.
I ask that all Bermuda keep the family in their thoughts and prayers. And I would also ask all of Bermuda to please, if you know something, say something to help to bring the perpetrators of this incredibly violent, and seemingly escalating crime matter to justice.
Today I am joined by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, who will be first to give an update from her Ministry and then I will touch on general economic matters, matters relating to tourism before I take questions from the media.
MINISTER OF HEALTH STATEMENT
Today there were 418 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.
Bermuda now has 181 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:
- 167 have recovered, and
- there are 5 active cases, who are
- all under public health monitoring;
- none are hospitalized or in critical care, and
- the total deceased remains at 9.
The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 9 to 101 years.
Overall, 51% of cases were Black, 42% White and 7% other/unknown.
The source of all local cases is as follows:
- 70 are Imported
- 90 are Local transmission, with known contact
- 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
- none are under investigation
Bermuda’s country status remains “Sporadic Cases”. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1.
I will now provide you with an update regarding COVID-19 vaccine procurement, something which I’m sure is at the forefront of many people’s minds.
I can tell you that the Government has recently engaged a contractual commitment to ensure guaranteed access for Bermuda to approved COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.
Bermuda is supported by the Pan American Health Organization – PAHO (a subsidiary of the World Health Organization) which is the specialized international health agency for the Americas.
PAHO has collaborated with GAVI Alliance, an international organization whose mandate is to improve access to vaccines and to source COVID-19 vaccines for countries under the PAHO remit. This collaboration provides Bermuda with access to vaccines to support 20% of the population in the first instance and additional access if and when required. The COVAX Facility, managed by GAVI Alliance, is the mechanism through which demand and resources are pooled to support availability of, and equitable access to, COVID-19 vaccines for all economies.
The goals of the COVAX Facility are to:
- Develop a large and diverse actively-managed portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates so that the best vaccines are ultimately made available and the supply will be sufficient for highest priority populations;
- Deliver at least 2 billion doses of approved vaccines by the end of 2021;
- Guarantee access to approved vaccines for every participating economy; and
- End the acute phase of the pandemic by the end of 2021.
The commitment to purchase the vaccines through the COVAX facility provides Bermuda with several advantages. Firstly, it provides us with guaranteed access to approved COVID-19 vaccines. Secondly, it means that Bermuda is able to capitalize on economies of scales with the bulk vaccine purchase of potentially 2 billion vaccines. And, thirdly, Bermuda avoids the risk of trying to independently purchase vaccines which could see challenges such as access, availability, and prohibitive cost which could disadvantage Bermuda in the battle against the pandemic.
In addition, the United Kingdom will be providing Bermuda with a proportional amount of vaccines, therefore with the two streams of vaccine access available to Bermuda, we are well placed and prepared to tackle COVID-19 with vaccinations when they are approved and available.
On a separate issue, as I mentioned earlier this afternoon, I can advise the public that returning officers and presiding officers employed by the Parliamentary Registrar as well as election candidates will have the opportunity to undergo saliva screening prior to Thursday’s General Election to help ensure voter safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This means the testing hours for the Perot testing location will be extended tonight and tomorrow night for this group of individuals who can attend between 6pm and 9pm either tonight or tomorrow night.
The Government believes this screening procedure will add an extra layer of protection for voters.
For more information individuals can contact the COVID-19 hotline at 444-2498.
I would now like to address a dangerous mistruth which appeared to be circulating locally on social media last week…
I am almost surprised I have to make this statement but…mask-wearing does not cause cancer.
The CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said, “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting.”
International health organizations around the world agree that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, preventing people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
Therefore, it is vitally important that we continue to wear our masks…and wear them right.
Wear your mask so it comes all the way up, close to the bridge of your nose, and all the way down under your chin. And do your best to tighten the loops or ties so it’s snug around your face, without gaps.
Always wash your hands before and after wearing a mask. Use the ties or loops to put your mask on and pull it off; don’t touch the front of the mask when you take it off. For apartment or condo dwellers, put the mask on and remove it while inside your home as elevators and stairwells can be high-contamination areas. A cloth face covering should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
Please remember that masks are to be worn in most work environments too. We, at the Ministry of Health, wear them every day. If you are in any doubt regarding what precautions or health measures you should have in place at your workplace, I urge you to read the ‘Return to Work’ Guidance for Businesses which is posted at coronavirus.gov.bm.
It includes sections on infection prevention & control measures, return to work considerations, occupational risk assessments, site cleaning & disinfection protocols, site operations and risk management, as well as general information on COVID-19.
Additionally, it contains industry-specific guidance for Healthcare Professionals, Care Homes, Offices and Banking Services, Construction, Mechanical & Landscaping, Warehouses, Auto Dealers and Retail Operations which details which PPE (such as masks) is appropriate for your workplace setting.
With our low COVID numbers, it’s perhaps easy to forget that we are living in the midst of a pandemic; but the reality is that we are and we need to take the same precautions we always have to protect ourselves and our community. Wear your mask, wash your hands often, practice physical distancing, avoid large groups and stay home if you feel unwell. As I have said before, now is not the time to let our guard down. One of the reasons Bermuda has fared so well compared to other countries is because of our diligence when it comes to these actions. We have worked so hard and done so well; we must not stop now. These small steps make the greatest difference.
And, lastly, I would also like to clarify an incorrect story which appeared in last night’s news cycle. A story ran claiming that the PGA Group, arriving in Bermuda at the end of October, would be exempt from on-island testing once they had received their arrivals test as the players would be moving in their own ‘social bubble’. This is not correct; the players are not exempt from Bermuda’s testing requirements. Players will take a pre-departure test, arrivals test and Day 4 test. Again, our stringent protocols have helped put Bermuda in a position which actually paved the way for such an event to even take place here. So we must continue to apply the same regimes for all which has proven to be fruitful to Bermuda as well as organizations such as the PGA.
Stay safe, Bermuda, and, remember, I wear a mask to protect you; you wear a mask to protect me.
Thank you Minister of Health for that comprehensive update. It is important to note we are still in the state of a Public Health Emergency and the coronavirus is certainly a threat.
I would like to begin my comments today by speaking about our new normal and Bermuda’s position and outlook. We all remember that we began physical distancing in March, and through shelter-in-place, and all of the other restrictions, Bermuda has been relatively successful in containing the impact of the coronavirus which has now taken more than one million lives worldwide.
As we sit here today in the last week in September, we are certainly at a different place but we have been able to safely and securely allow more tourists to arrive to help stimulate our economy and we continue to ensure we have testing available throughout the country.
Our public health strategy is to continually assess the results of tests, conduct contact tracing when a person tests positive, and to require the best behaviour that science and common sense requires.
And so Bermudians and residents should be proud of the collective effort and discipline that has largely kept COVID-19 at bay. I say at bay because we have not eradicated it, nonetheless, we have not reached community transmission.
Whenever there is a new infection, Public Health officers quickly identify the flight the person arrived on and identify everyone they may have been in contact. This is why it is critical that everyone who visits restaurants or other public places accurately completes the contact tracing information. I truly wish that we did not have to remind people, but, the precautions that are in place will help to protect vulnerable members of our society in case of any outbreak.
Now I know it is tedious and I know that as time goes on with the small number of cases people think that is no longer necessary. One thing that I will say as the minister responsible for technology in Government, we are trying to make that process easier.
Two young men from our coding boot camp that we hosted earlier this year, were engaged to complete an app that will simply allow restaurants and other liquor licenced establishments to scan the drivers’ licences of persons who are coming in to record their information. This will make the entry of information a little simpler. This app has been demonstrated and we are going to make sure it goes to the Privacy Commissioner so it meets all necessary privacy requirements. The information that is scanned is not going to be available to restaurants but it is only going to be activated by the Public Authority if that is necessary.
Additionally, you would have heard earlier we spoke about our tests with COVID watch out of Stanford University and I know that is now being piloted and you would have seen on the Government of Bermuda’s social media platforms, asking for people to respond to surveys on whether or not they would be wanting to use the Bluetooth contact tracing technology that is inherent in the COVID watch app.
Earlier this summer, as part of Bermuda’s COVID-19 Response strategy, the Cabinet made the decision to purchase and introduce quarantine bracelets. The system is comprised of electronic bracelets, purchased from a company in Hong Kong that is affiliated with the Hong Kong Government, and the Aqua app, developed by Hub Culture, a Bermuda based international business.
To properly implement this initiative, we hired eight persons, providing jobs for eight young Bermudians who were not working prior to us introducing this quarantine monitoring solution. They are being led by Superintendent James Howard from the Bermuda Police Service and Major Wayne Smith from the Fintech Business Unit and are called the Aqua Monitoring Team.
The bracelet is paired with a smartphone, and it uses Bluetooth technology and GPS to show the user’s location and allows the team to see violations of the quarantine rules.
The initiative began on Monday August 31 and the decision was made to place bracelets on anyone who arrived in Bermuda without a negative COVID-19 pre-test. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Aqua Monitoring Team ensures that everyone who was in quarantine complies with the rules and stayed at home until they complete their quarantine period, obtain a second negative COVID-19 test and were cleared to end their quarantine by the Ministry of Health. To date, 521 persons have been assigned bracelets and as of Tuesday, September 29, 160 persons continue to be actively monitored.
The programme is doing well and is now being expanded by the vendor to Hawaii. This was the intent of the Government of Bermuda’s overall technology strategy, that companies would test ideas in the Bermuda ecosystem and once achieving proof of concept, and be able to market them in larger jurisdiction throughout the world.
I am delighted to see this aspect of Government’s technology vision realized, especially as it relates to the coronavirus. Hub Culture, a Bermuda company, introduced this solution to Bermuda and now that the world knows it works, they will market it to the global marketplace.
As part of this deal, Bermuda gets a rebate on all bracelets purchased after our initial order, including any future bracelets that we purchase as well as bracelets that are purchased by other jurisdictions, such as Hawaii. Bermuda has proved itself to be a global leader and this solution is helping make sure we protect persons and persons can enforce their quarantine. This is vital to ensure our economy can continue to remain open.
It is key to note that this contract that was signed as we had successfully demonstrated and as it was used in other jurisdictions, the Bermuda Government will actually get money back from this. So this is certainly something that will be a win-win situation.
Moving to tourism I’d like to discuss the Fairmont Southampton’s closure and the impact this has on Bermudian employees.
I believe having a large number of redundancies, in fact, that’s a technical term, because it’s having a large number of persons who will no longer be working, is one of the biggest challenges facing any Government; and in a year of multiple and severe challenges, we will listen, plan, execute and then also overcome this one.
The Bermudians who were employed there, are homeowners, mothers, fathers, bill payers and taxpayers who have made a career serving people…service with pride. For them and their families, we cannot allow the uncertainty of employment income to become the certainty of poverty.
The Minister of Labour ensured the Collective Agreement was adhered to, and the Bermuda Industrial Union stated the hotel complied with the provisions. While that is admirable, following terms of a contract is the legal requirement; that does not mean the staff are comfortable or secure about their futures. Having spoken with my colleagues and technical officers, between now and the reopening there are ways that Bermudians can act and react to the closure.
The renovation is a construction project and we know that the hotel was purchased in December 2019 and was slated on January 2, 2021 for that renovation. The closure has happened earlier due to the coronavirus.
During the construction phase and in regular time, there are several hotel workers who supplement their income during the off-season by doing masonry, carpentry or general labourer tasks; they can and should enhance their skills and perhaps attain full-time employment at the site for the renovations.
Those who are already in the construction industry will have an advantage on experience and skillset, but a project this large will require many workers with varying levels of experience.
As such I recommend those who are interested should contact Bermuda College and or Department of Workforce Development to determine if and when relevant trades are being taught, or apprenticeships offered, and make themselves available for their opportunities.
To ensure that all former Fairmont Southampton Princess staff have the ability to secure reemployment, I wish to advise hotel owners and those that are hospitality employers that given both the impact of COVID-19 on the industry and the hotel’s closure all 2020 and 2021 work permit applications in the hospitality sector will be heavily scrutinized to ensure Bermudian hotel workers, particularly those with the experience delivering Bermuda’s tourism product are employed first.
This Government will stand by the workers at the Fairmont Southampton.
The Government acknowledges the proposed $100 million investment and it is essential that Bermudian employees must be the primary beneficiaries during the renovation and once the hotel reopens.
It is said that “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”; I implore Bermudians impacted by the closure to do the things that may make themselves lucky.
Moving on to more items regarding tourism. In terms of arrivals and air capacity we are safely welcoming more visitors, but are still well below our airline capacity and in October we will be operating at only about 36% capacity.
In July we had 5,438, available seats that doubled in August to 12,122; we are anticipating approximately 17,000 seat capacity in October. While that figure is the highest since March, it is still 64% below our October 2019 arrivals.
However, there is progress that is being made that gives us further confidence in both our actions to battle the coronavirus and how effectively we communicated those actions to international markets, we do have new flights that are going to be launching service to Bermuda in October:
Delta Airlines will fly to JFK airport three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays;
- American Airlines will fly to Miami three times per week. One flight will depart on Fridays,
- another will depart on Sundays, the third flight will depart on Mondays;
- British Airways, currently operating three times a week, will fly five times a week by the
- end of October and I have been told that the British Airways flight has been operating at high capacity, which is likely the reason this has been increased and that is due to the benefit of the excellent management of the pandemic and also tourists from the United Kingdom, who do come to Bermuda, are not required to quarantine back in the United Kingdom on their way home.
- Sticking with BA, earlier today it was announced that from 28 March 2021, British Airways will serve Bermuda from London Heathrow and no longer Gatwick Airport. Business groups and the BTA are in support, as Heathrow is a far more dynamic hub for onward connection to major European cities; allowing Bermuda to create connections in secondary European gateways.
- And it is predicted that this will certainly help our tourism recover quicker from European markets. And certainly expanded as if it were to be compared to the flight at Gatwick.
I am proud that our COVID-19 protocols to date have been effective and we are creating global confidence in Bermuda and our ability to successfully manage the risks to residents and visitors. The fact that the Work from Bermuda programme has been so well received, with close to 400 applications, also attests to the balance we have struck between caution and commerce, between protecting lives and supporting livelihoods.
Now I will move onto the provisions for public school students for the rest of the week. I am sure that by now everyone, especially people who happen to watch YouTube knows that we are having a General Election on Thursday; as a result, all public schools are closed as they are polling stations.
Initially, some parents may have heard that schools were going to be closed on Friday as well, as that was the initial position. However, the Ministry revisited that decision in light of the three days lost to hurricanes Paulette and Teddy, the deep desire of teachers to capitalise on the return to face-to-face teaching and to assist students to normalize the new teaching and classroom protocols.
The decision was also taken bearing in mind the disruption to parents’ workdays every time a student has time off from school. Accordingly, schools will reopen as normal on Friday morning.
I wish to reassure parents, guardians, and the entire student population of one more vital element of schools and their use as Polling Stations. Every school is scheduled to be deeply cleaned and sanitised before school reopens on Friday; all cleaning will be undertaken according to stringent protocols using approved products. And for the work they are executing to keep our children safe, we are grateful for the teams of custodians and cleaners who are committed to ensuring our students are taught in COVID-19-free environments; you have the government and parents’ support, respect, and admiration.
Before I end, I would like to briefly address the concerns expressed earlier this week by persons, or a source as I will call it, from the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service.
In July, the Minister of National Security Renee Ming, and I met with the Fire Services Association (FSA) new leadership team. The team consisted of:
Ms Nakia Pearson,
Mr Ryan DeSilva,
Mr Anthrun O’Brien, and
Mr Randy Elgersma
During that meeting, the team briefed the Minister and me on a number of operational matters, including emergency response in the pandemic. Also, they relayed a number of concerns. After listening intensely, at that very meeting, I confirmed to the Bermuda Fire and Rescue representatives that the breathing apparatus was given Cabinet approval earlier in the year and has now arrived on island.
I also directed that capital funds that they were informed were frozen be unfrozen so that the other equipment purchases that they were advised were put on hold would proceed. I also confirmed with them at that very meeting that the training that they said was also going to be put on hold was authorized to proceed. We did our best to make sure that we alleviated the concerns at that time. There were concerns regarding training as there were new officers who had not been exposed to this training which meant they could not fully participate in the activities of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.
This Government has the utmost respect and appreciation for the members of the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service. They are my family, they are my friends, and they are all of our colleagues’ families and friends as well.
We recognise their commitment and dedication to the safety of the people of Bermuda. Their exemplary service during this pandemic and recent hurricanes is commendable and speaks volumes to the level of professionalism and support that these fine men and women give to Bermuda.
It is unfortunate that this issue became politicized in the daily newspaper but such is the season of which we are in. I hope, however, after Thursday we can move forward in a spirit of collaboration.
With that, I’m happy to take questions from reporters.