Following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Premier David Burt confirmed a list of changes to restrictions imposed during Bermuda’s Public Health Emergency as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic saying the curfew will remain in effect for the time being.
Speaking at the latest briefing last night, he said the Cabinet agreed to the following changes:
- The first change is that indoor funeral attendance can increase from 20% to 25% of the maximum capacity or the facility in which it is held.
- Outdoor funeral attendance can increase from 25 persons to 50 persons.
- Table size within restaurants, bars and nightclubs can increase from a maximum of six persons to a maximum of ten persons.
- The Government is also changing it advice regarding working from home. Before working from home was strongly recommended. We are now changing that and we encourage remote working, where possible.
Measures that are not changing:
“The current curfew will remain in place from 12 midnight until 5am. This decision was taken with advice from Health, the curfew has been effective in reducing social mixing,” said Premier Burt.
“I know that many want to end curfew and I would like to be able to do so as well. But at this time, the Health advice is that it continue to remain in place. And we know that it is important that Health advice is adhered to.
“Group gatherings that are private or public setting outside of an outdoor funeral will remain at a maximum of 25 people. This has not been increased, and again, will remain at 25, persons.
“The changes will come into effect on Thursday February 4 at 6am.
“As per normal these measures will be reviewed by the Cabinet on a regular basis. The next update is expected in two weeks.
“The government understands that many may have been hoping – and my social media is without question telling me that – that all measures, including the curfew would have been relaxed completely, and therefore may be disappointed, that for now, it remains in place,” he added.
“It is essential that we are cautious and calculated as to when we relax these measures. It is important to remember that COVID-19 is still a threat.
“As we see it, to continuing to disrupt life around the world for persons who are saying that the curfew should end because our active cases are so low. Before our last outbreak, our active cases were low too and it is essential that we continue to confirm that there is not a risk as it will only take one super spreader event, just as we had before, to put us back into the same situation where we were.
“So we are going to continue to work through this process, and do not let the numbers fool you, as you may be lulled into a false sense of security and we’ve learned from our lessons, and we’re not going to repeat those mistakes.”
On that note he added: “Please adhere to the measures in place. Get tested, and if eligible register for the vaccine and ensure to get those shots to be fully protected. Remember, testing is free for residents. If you are going to host an event at your place, which is not advised, you should consider asking your friends to get tested.
“The last thing that you want is to be stuck in quarantine, or worse contract the virus and pass it on to your family. There is testing capacity, here in Bermuda, which has not been reduced as some has suggested, and it is important that we take advantage of that testing capacity,” said Mr Burt.
“There were two other adjustments which were not inside of my speech in regards to our protocols,” he added.
“The time curfew for the water has been pushed back two hours from 6pm until 8pm, and also there is now limited visiting that is going to be allowed at long-term care facilities. That is only going to be for outdoor visits only, and those are two additional changes.”
