No Valid Reason For Being on Our Roads or Waters Get You ‘Detained or Arrested & Brought Before The Courts’

More than 4,000 motorists were stopped at community checkpoints throughout the island within 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday, leading up to Good Friday and the Easter holiday weekend.

Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines reiterated again at the latest news conference on the impact of COVID-19 in Bermuda, that “anyone who does not have a valid reason for being on our roads or on our waters for the matter…wiill either be turned back, detained, or arrested and brought before the courts”, while the Shelter in Place order is in place.

“Over the past 24-hours the joint operation of Officers from the Bermuda Police Service and the Royal Bermuda Regiment worked to cover 27 Community Advisory Points.

“There were more than 4,000 stops over the 24 hour period.”

The Minister discussed matters to do with the Joint Community Advisory Check Points and the first day of the essential care package drop off activity at the Government approved Quarantine Locations.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) will continue to provide support to essential Government personnel in a variety of capacities, including the Department of Health with critical tasks including the transporting of our healthcare workers via government buses.

“The RBR also worked with the Government shelter team in the relocation to CedarBridge.

“Additionally our Coast Guard were busy on the waters over the past 24 hours,” he added.

“They assisted in escorting two vessels that entered Bermuda’s waters to St Goerge’s for Customs clearance.

“And in another incident, the Coast Guard intercepted and turned back a vessel with four passengers on board who were heading out for a day of fishing, as the vessel did not have a valid fishing licence.”

Meanwhile, essential care package drop offs will follow the day of the week surname pattern and drop offs will continue today, Good Friday April 10, Tuesday April 14 and Friday April 17.

The drop off time is from 1pm – 5pm.

“We have allowed some flexibility so that persons who have family or friends in one of these facilities can drop off essential care packages,” said Mr Caines.

Initial reports on the first day of the process from the DRRM Team indicates that “everything went well, and individuals in these facilities were able to receive key necessities,” he added.

“Again, the essential care package should contain key items such as toiletries, medication and essential foods, inclusive of any special dietary items.”