Health Minister Kim Wilson reported two new cases of COVID-19 landed in Bermuda on Monday’s Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta.
Speaking at the latest briefing on Tuesday, the Minister said the two were found in the latest round of 555 test results sent in to the Ministry this week, bring the island’s total confirmed cases of the coronavirus to 156.
The are currently six active cases under public health monitoring (see video).
Moving forward, she said returning residents will be required to quarantine for at least four days if they could not obtain a test for the virus before they return home.
Returning residents working in high-risk workplaces like care homes and corrections facilities would have to quarantine for 14 days and get cleared for COVID-19, she added.
Staff in medium-risk settings like retail stores could choose between 14 days quarantine, or three negative test results.
Those in low-risk risk settings or office workers, require compliance with the normal traveller testing regime.
Meanwhile Premier David Burt urged residents to celebrate the Cup Match holiday — including the first Mary Prince Day and the entire holiday weekend.
But in the midst of this global pandemic, he warned that there are challenges that still lie ahead.
“We are certainly going to be in for a period of economic difficulty, so our celebrations must be tempered with the reality of what is to come,” said Mr Burt.
“With two more imported cases, COVID-19 is still very much a factor in our daily lives, and we must remain strong, vigilant and united as a country to keep this virus at bay.”
Minister of National Security, Renee Ming said the ministry was fully prepared for the long holiday weekend and the Bermuda Police Service would be highly visible both on our beaches, on the water and on our roads.
She also urged residents attending approved gatherings of more than 50 to follow safety protocols.
But she warned Cup Match holiday revellers that the Bermuda Coastguard and its reserve with police will be out in full force, 24 hours a day and as far up to 12 miles offshore.
While raft-ups are allowed, they cannot exceed 50 people, and masks must be worn if distancing is not possible.
Jet skis are prohibited from Paradise Lakes in the Great Sound, and Mangrove Bay, Somerset Long Bay and Cambridge Beaches at the West End, from 5am on Thursday to 11pm on Sunday, she added.
There will also be sobriety checkpoints by police.
“At all times, practise the appropriate health and safety measures such as physical-distancing, mask-wearing and proper hand hygiene,” said Ms Ming.
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Lieutenant Colonel David Burch, said both the Ministry of National Security and the Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 received 14 requests for large gatherings – seven were approved.
Camping in parks will be allowed through to Monday, but Coney Island would be off-limits to campers because of damage to the bridge to the island.
Bonfires and excessively loud music would not be permitted, and beaches would remain closed to horses and dogs, he added.
Liquor-licensed establishments would be required to close at midnight, but that the restriction would be reviewed.
