Photo Courtesy of TNNAs of Monday (June 22), parents may now register their children for summer day camps online “to provide the Ministry of Health and the Department of Youth and Sport, information about their staff, children and the programme they run”.
According to Health Minister Kim Wilson: “This information will be critical for infection control as well as quality control of camps in the future.
“While these settings are not formally regulated, parents can be assured that if the camp name appears on our registration list, there will be monitoring to ensure compliance with health guidelines.”
Speaking at the latest COVID-19 briefing, she said: “Camps will now be able to begin the registration process on the schools, child care and camp webpage on the Government portal and parents will be able to visit the list of registered camps on the same page by the end of the week.”
The Minister also outlined the Guidance and Directions created for Phase 3 and 3B of reopening Bermuda’s economy, which are also posted on the Government website: coronavirus.gov.bm.
“In particular, I want to go over some of the points from the Indoor Dining Directions,” she said.
“Now that we are a couple of weeks into Phase 3, some of you may have already had the opportunity to go out for a meal.
“You may have found certain things unfamiliar or even odd. For those who have not yet experienced indoor dining post-shelter in place, here are a few things you should be prepared to see and experience.
“Firstly, booking ahead is highly recommended, while walk-in’s will be recorded and regulated.
“You will notice that all staff members will be wearing masks at all times,” said Ms Wilson.
“As a guest, you must wear a face mask whilst waiting to be seated and at all other times when not at your table. To protect your server and other restaurant staff, you should also wear your mask when interacting with them.
“Remember that the droplets that spread COVID don’t disappear when you sit down. If you are speaking to someone within 6 feet of you, wear your mask.
“Physical distancing of at least 6 feet (2 metres) must be maintained during any waiting or queuing and you must use the hand sanitizers provided before entering the establishment.
“You will be greeted at the door by a dedicated staff member and only granted access if safe to do so while adhering to physical distancing. This will be particularly important at establishments with narrow entrances. In particular you will not be allowed to enter when others are leaving in order to avoid close contact.
“Businesses are recommended to monitor the health of staff and diners; therefore your temperature may be taken and recorded. Managers will also have the right to remove guests who show other signs of COVD-19 [like coughing or sweating] at their discretion,” she added.
“Dining establishments have systems in place to ensure adequate physical distancing within restrooms; this may, in many instances, allow for only one person to use the restroom at any given time.
“Please be prepared for this. Restaurants must enforce this so please don’t give staff a hard time if they do. They are only following the rules and trying to keep you safe.
“Contact Tracing is an essential part of combatting any outbreak of communicable disease. Therefore the contact details of one ‘primary diner’ will be recorded and include the date and time of visit, full name, address, phone number and email address.
“There will be a mandatory space of 6 feet between tables or physical barriers in place when 6 feet is not reasonably practicable.”
A few other things that have changed are:
- The menu may look different than it used to; we are asking restaurants to provide you with single use, washable or digital menus
- There will be no direct service at bars
- There will be no self-serve salad or buffet bars. Food must only be served by the chef, instead of self-service buffets
- Packaged cutlery and single use condiments can be provided to you, if you like
- E-receipts will be offered in place of paper ones
- Napkin service is suspended until further notice (ie no placing in a guest’s lap)
In closing, the Minister issued a public reminder of the COVID-19 pop-up testing taking place around the island this week:
- On Wednesday June 24th testing will take place at the Hamilton Cathedral from 11:30am until 2pm and again from 4pm until 7pm. There will also be pop-up testing at the Heron Bay MarketPlace on Wednesday from 3pm until 7pm
- On Thursday June 25th there will be testing at the Southside Facility (at the old Whites Supermarket location) from 10am until 7pm and at the Shelly Bay MarketPlace from 3pm until 7pm
- On Friday June 26th pop-up testing will take place at the Hamilton Cathedral from 9am until 1pm and at the Somerset MarketPlace from 3pm until 7pm
Another reminder on weekend testing locations will be issued at the next news briefing on Thursday.
Residents wishing to get tested were encouraged to book an appointment.
“This makes it a faster, more convenient experience for you,” said the Minister.
“You can book online via the government website coronavirus.gov.bm or call the COVID-19 hotline 444-2498 between 9am and 9pm to make a reservation. A full schedule of testing days and times has been posted to the Government website.
“For more information about pop-up testing, you can call 444-2498.
“Thank You, Bermuda, and, please, wear your mask and keep six feet apart if you are not wearing one.”
