The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) put the island’s public on notice today that the police and the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) will enforce “powers to put in place restrictions and requirements on all travellers who have been placed on isolation and/or active monitoring”.

This after reports that persons known to have arrived or returned to the island via commercial airlines flights, who should be in isolation, were ignoring the required 14-day self-isolation in recent weeks.

In a statement released this afternoon, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Martin Weekes said it is all part of an all-out plan “to suppress the transfer of the COVID-19 virus through the control of unnecessary social movement and influencing of social distancing”.

“This is also in keeping with the requirements of the Quarantine Act to mitigate the risk presented by individuals/groups,”said Mr Weekes.

“As such, Officers from departments across the BPS, will be deployed in conjunction with RBR personnel.”

As a result, he said: “There will be seven initial static Roadside Checkpoints deployed at key locations across the island.

“Drivers will be stopped and they, along with any occupants of their vehicle, checked against a list of those who have been issued restrictions by the Health Department.

“Any persons who appear on the list and have no valid reason for being on the road, will be instructed to return to their residence and to follow the requirements that have been issued to them by the Health Department.
“Their names will be taken and communicated to the Health Department for further actions to be taken.
“We wish to make it clear, powers to detain under the Quarantine Act 2017, will be considered where appropriate.
“We urge you to please follow the guidelines as set out by the Department of Health and avoid any unnecessary movement as we all work together, to flatten the curve.”