Details on how the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) plans to deal with the threat of COVID-19 in Bermuda will be disclosed at a news conference later today.

A news conference will be held at the Police Recreation Club at 11am to provide address BPS plans for dealing with the deadly coronavirus.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley has said that the BPS will introduce precautionary measures.

“This is to ensure that we continue to provide a high standard of service to the community while, at the same time, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all BPS staff,” he said.

The Commissioner also noted that the 911 number should still be used for emergencies and that members of the public should not  visit police stations to make a report “unless the matter is of a serious nature” and should call the main police number 295-0011 instead.

“Hand-sanitiser stations will be available at the entrances of all police stations. We ask that you use them upon entering.

“We will regularly disinfect doors and countertops at police stations to help avoid contamination,” said Mr Corbishley.

“If the situation warrants that an officer comes to your residence, we urge you to inform the officer you speak with on the phone whether any occupant has been diagnosed as having Covid-19, any occupant has recently returned from overseas travel, or any occupant has displayed symptoms of cold or flu.

“Officers responding to calls, will, in the interest of public and personal safety, maintain a safe social distance during questioning or recording of information. This is for the good of both you and the officer,” he added.

“Your Bermuda Police Service stands ready to assist in these uncertain times and will maintain the highest standards of policing that you have come to expect from us. We urge you to do your part in helping us to do so, by please following these guidelines.”

At last check, a total of 90 coronavirus test kits had arrived in Bermuda with more expected by the end of the week.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health said last night that the testing equipment already here can produce results in 24 hours.

But they will not be use “hopefully by the end of the week”.

To date, more than 270 people were monitoring themselves for symptoms of Covid-19.

Although 18 people have been tested for the virus, the government website says there are still no confirmed cases in Bermuda.

As of 1pm on March 17, eight tests returned negative results with ten pending.

The website states: “Persons with a relevant travel history or contact that is not considered high-risk are to undergo self-monitoring with public-health supervision.

“Health personnel are in communication with these persons over the course of the self-monitoring period having provided a plan for self-monitoring for symptoms with clear instructions for notifying a healthcare provider before the person seeks healthcare if they develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

“This public health measure is for persons arriving prior to the required self-quarantine of all arriving passengers enacted March 17, 2020.”

Sixteen (16) were in quarantine with active monitoring — for those who had a high-risk travel history or contact and were “quarantined for 14 days after potential exposure”.

“This quarantine can occur in their home or place of accommodation.

“Health personnel are in communication with these persons at least once a day to assess for the presence of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

“The mode of communication can be face-to-face, a telephone call, an e-mail or other electronic method.”

Another 14 people, who arrived yesterday were under self-quarantine with public-health supervision.

“Health personnel are in communication with these persons over the course of the self-quarantine period having provided a plan for self-monitoring for symptoms and clear instructions for notifying a healthcare provider before the person seeks healthcare if they develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.”