Response
The government announced a 14-day 24-hour "Shelter in Place" startingBackground
On Sunday, the 12 January 2020, theTimeline
March 2020
Wednesday, 11 March
Government started public addresses to the general public via CITV, and social media the CITV Bermuda YouTube channeThursday, 12 March
= Public Health - Overseas Arrivals
= Quarantine (Travel Ban) Order 2020 listed the following countries in its travel banWednesday, 18 March
At 6:50 p.m. the Premier of Bermuda announced in a press conference that the first two diagnosed cases in Bermuda were confirmed. It was also reported that these cases had been imported from overseas by the follow means: * Flight from Miami, Florida of the United States onboard American Airlines (AA305) on Wednesday, 4 March; * Flight from London, Gatwick, of the United Kingdom onboard British Airways (BA2233) on Friday, 6 March. In light of the presence of COVID-19 on the island since those flights the government moved quickly and announced the closure of some facilities/locations including schools. Also, a moved to close the L.F. Wade International Airport to all arriving passenger flights containing non-residence was announced.Thursday, 19 March
Custom Officer concerns made and work stoppage regarding concerns with COVID-19.Friday, 20 March
Bermuda showed up on the World Health Organization Situation Report.= Public Health - Overseas Arrivals
= Quarantine (Travel Ban) Order 2020 ban on arrivals to Bermuda by general visitors. Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport set to close to all passengers, non-resident, as of 11:59 p.m. today (20 March).Saturday, 21 March
= Public Health - Closures
= Order to close the following in the interest of public health, pursuant to section 88 of the Public Health Act 1949.Monday, 23 March
Sanitation workers halted garbage collection voicing concerns and talks with the Bermuda Industrial Union occurred and the trash collection was resumed the following Monday, 30 March 2020. These concerns had been addressed by a meeting with health personal explaining COVID-19 and answering many questions as at this time the virus was not well understood by the general public, and understandable with the rapidly changing events in the world at that time.= Public Health - Closures
= Order to close the following in the interest of public health, pursuant to section 88 of the Public Health Act 1949; with effect from 5:00 p.m. until the Monday, 30 March 2020 at 5:00 p.m.= Public Health - Overseas Arrivals
= Order to monitor individuals arriving to the island via flights at theFriday, 27 March
The start of a 'Rolling Curfew' were hours of movement had been restricted each night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. this continued until the 'Shelter in Place'. Bernews has identified this to start on Sunday, 29 March. Fines for none compliance with the curfew at this time had been up to six months in prison, or up to $2,880.00, or both prison and fine.Saturday, 28 March
= Public Health - Closures
= Order to close the following in the interest of public health, pursuant to section 88 of the Public Health Act 1949.April 2020
Wednesday, 01 April
Proclamation by His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Bermuda and in accordance with section 14(3) of the Constitution of Bermuda, the Governor in consultations with the Premier of Bermuda have declared that a state of emergency exists in Bermuda due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Another proclamation was made, same day, in accordance with section 14(4) to summon both Houses of the Legislature to meet on Monday, 6 April 2020 at 10:00 a.m.= Public Health - Business
= Order to require all businesses to shift toFriday, 03 April
The Government of Bermuda passed the "Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Shelter in Place) Regulations 2020", and subsequent amendments spoken about in this article shall be referred to as "Emergency Powers" in general as amendments did occur.Saturday, 04 April
Shelter in Place, also known as 'Monday, 06 April
It was announced that there had been the first twoThursday, 09 April
The Shelter in Place was amended a first time, to give the Minister of National Security the ability to permit restricted movement and other general administrative items to assist the country at the time of this pandemic.Tuesday, 14 April
There were 5 deaths from COVID-19.Thursday, 16 April
There were 83 cases on the island out of which 26 were imported, 45 were community spread, 12 were pending investigation, and 35 of those cases were recovered.Friday, 17 April
First time in history theMonday, 20 April
The legislation "Emergency Powers" was amended a second time, to assist the country and its people to allow further assistance regarding grocery shopping and food for pets, it also identified what days people can go to the grocery stores. Shopping days at this time changed to all those with a surname beginning with the letter shown below, can proceed to shop or get needed supplies. * Monday and Thursday (A to F) * Tuesday and Friday (G to Q) * Wednesday and Saturday (R to Z) * Sundays (Persons aged 55 years and over, disabled people, and essential workers) It was also allowed that anyone who was able to move/shop on Sunday will also be allowed to do so in accordance with their surname. This was in part due to the observation and encouragement for family to assist those who live alone and needed assistance. This was a change from the previous name structure, see above 4 April, as it was noticed to be less efficient and added stress to individuals.Tuesday, 21 April
An order to extend quarantine of individuals already in quarantine who test positive.Friday, 24 April
"Emergency Powers" amended a third time, to further assist withMay 2020
''The above information can be verified by watching the CITV Bermuda press releases for each day, the data is read at the beginning of each press meeting.''Saturday, 02 May
Government ofFriday, 08 May
Racial reporting started to identify the number of persons who contracted COVID-19 based on race. This was becoming more important as it was being reported that race may have an impact on COVID-19 patients. The Continuing Precautions Regulations was amended a first time, to add money service business which are needed as individuals/families have overseas persons that they cannot send funds and to provide cash chequing abilities to those who do not have access to a banking facility (no bank account holders). The regulations also prohibit scuba diving as all oxygen was being restricted for use at the hospital and should an accident occur, the hyperbaric chamber would need to use the oxygen in stock.Thursday, 14 May
Reporting format for the data changed from just "Local Transmission" to "Local Transmission Known Contact/Source" and "Local Transmission Unknown Contact/Source". This data change has been reflected in the table above for May.Saturday, 16 May
= Bermuda Hospitals Board
= BHB announced the following information. Admissions to King Edward VII Hospital (KEMH) for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic to date are 37. The highest number of COVID-19 patients at any one time was 16. BHB also confirmed that no cases of COVID-19 have been found at Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute to date. There have been 60 surgeries (emergency, urgent and cancer-related) performed over the last four weeks and 53 babies have been born between Wednesday, 1 April and Tuesday, 12 May.Wednesday, 20 May
Public bus service returns with restrictions, all passengers must wear a face mask and maintain a minimum of one meter (3 feet) distance when seated. Maximum capacity will be 17 passengers with no standing allowed, the number was reduced in a meeting on the Monday, 18 May and is currently unknown. Normal seating is about 40/42 and standing allowed to fill the bus. Details for passes here. Further issues with public transportation was expressed in the press conference today (20 May) when the press presented a question regarding the drivers will stop work if minibuses are used and that they are allowing only nine people onto the bus; no answer was given at the time because the Minister of Tourism and Transport was not in attendance. After review of some comments regarding new articles on this topic, the general public is not happy with the concerns. Reasons given include, but not limited to, drivers had been paid for a service that had not been running for over a month with money paid for by the tax payers/public funds. Also, that like other industries, restaurants, bars, and hotels they should be laid off or have furlough days and apply for the government financial assistance if they do not wish to work. Others pointed out that cashiers, tellers, and supermarket personnel are working and they cannot understand why they did not work. These concerns have validity and have come from a history of work stoppages made by the public transportation works, many times inconveniencing the general public to a point were the general support in this regard has been reducing. It has reduced to the point that some online comments have outright said to fire them all. It was also confirmed that KEMH had found a positive case of COVID in the Cooper Ward of a patient recently. They quarantined the ward and started testing and found another individual was positive, a nurse. No further cases have developed at this time however, both of these individuals had been a systematic, showing no symptoms. Premier of Bermuda added that 1015 antibody test had been completed to date and provided details of that fact. (CITV Bermuda press conference broadcast dated 2020-05-20 on YouTube) The head of KEMH also was pleased with the physical distancing people are doing as they are seeing a flat curve, related to the number of cases. Announced press conference meetings will be changed starting next week to twice a week.Thursday, 21 May
Bermuda Government approved the move to Phase 2 on Sunday, 17 May to start on today (21 May) and continue until Tuesday, 30 June. The government published the below to assist the public in known what can open at this time.Monday, 25 May
Press conference meetings will now be twice a week on Monday and Thursday. The educational support program for parents who have to return to work only, starts for primary, middle aged children.Wednesday, 27 May
The educational support program for parents who have to return to work only, starts for preschool aged children.Racial reporting
Reporting on race did not occur until later to protect the identification of individuals.Travel
All incoming people arriving on flights had initially been required to self quarantine at home for flights arriving in March. This was changed to GQFs later. At the start GQFs had been at no charge and later charges of $100.00 per day had been implemented and waived if financial hardship was identified.Air-Bridge Flights
Residence of Bermuda had been stranded overseas due to the rapid closing of borders both overseas and locally, and cancellation of flights due to COVID-19. Bermuda Government arranged flights to try to bring its people home.= Saturday, 16 May
= Residence returned home, from the Atlanta - United States, on a charter flight operated byWednesday, 20 May
Five residence returned from Canada via a private plane earlier this week, no date given. (CITV Bermuda press conference broadcast dated 2020-05-20 on YouTube)Community
Many events had to be cancelled or postponed during the pandemic; too many to list exhaustively. A few of the most notable are: * Bermuda Day Friday, 29 May * Carnival Monday, 15 June * Cup Match Thursday, July 30 & Friday, July 31 * End-to-End Saturday, 4 May * Graduation Ceremonies * The 'Onion Drop' December 31 NYE celebration was made virtual To observe physical distancing one school, Warwick Academy, prepared a bus that went around the island to many if not all of their students to make the event memorable with photographs with the school mascot. This was a creative and 'out of the box' type of thinking that was needed during the pandemic.Economy
With the forced closures starting on theGovernment
Unemployment Benefit
The Government created a temporary unemployment benefit to assist people financially who had been unemployed as a result of COVID-19. This legislation was amended as time went on to assist as many as possible and even those who did not pay taxes in the past on the condition they register with the tax office. The aim was to be a bridge between the financial assistance program and the loss of employment during these times, as you have to be unemployed for twelve weeks before you can apply for financial assistance. More than two thousand payments had been processed however, some have still not received payments (15 May 2020) due to the processes within the government offices and the inability to clearly identify individual identities. First payments had been paid out the last week of March (30 March to 3 April) with some 819 completed application as of Wednesday, 31 March. Usually payments are made on the Thursday and Friday of each week. As of Wednesday, 20 May it was reported that approximately nine thousand individuals had been paid and twenty-three million paid out in relation to the unemployment benefit, with 1241 payments made for the first time last week.Government Plans
A further 150 million in a financing agreement by the government with a local institution to public funds. Government Ministers will lead by example and take 15% cut in pay to be tabled on Friday, 22 May. Economic advisory committee members are listed (20 May) and the Minister of Finance also presented some of what is being done to help the economy. * Payroll Tax to be set to Zero until 30 June 2020. * Deferment of Customs Duty up to 6 months with a possible extension >6 months if circumstances justify. * Pensions-Private Pension Programs (mandatory) no payment required until 30 June 2021; voluntary payments permitted. * Pensions-Social Insurance (mandatory) no payment required until 30 June 2021; voluntary payments permitted.Public Transportation
Banks
Bermuda has four banks and each opened one day a week to the public during the 'Shelter in Place'. These notices had been online for the most part on rolling notices and other none linkable items as the situation was described as 'very fluid' or 'things changing fast'. The banks started to resume basic services to clients on Monday, 4 May 2020 and not all banks opened on that day. * The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited (BNTB) opened Monday, 4 May 2020. * Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited (BCB) opened Tuesday, 5 May 2020. * Clarien Bank Limited (Clarien)(unknown open date). * HSBC Bank of Bermuda Limited (HSBC) opened Monday, 4 May 2020. Service was maintained by all banks via their online banking platforms and ATM's with limited servicing.BNTB
Thursday, 19 March 2020 they announced deferrals on residential and personal mortgages/loans for three months, and on credit cards for two months. Tuesday, 24 March 2020 they announced reduced hours 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. due to COVID-19. Friday, 27 March 2020 they open teller services at Rosebank, temporary, to assist with social distancing at the time. Wednesday, 1 April 2020 they announced they would suspend planned rate changes.BCB
Friday, 20 March they announced a delay in their sale to Permanent Capital as a result of COVID-19 due to market volatility.Clarien
Thursday, 19 March 2020 they closed their Paget Branch. Wednesday, 25 March 2020 they announced reduced hours 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. due to COVID-19. Friday, 27 March 2020 they announced deferrals on mortgages/loans for a period of three months.HSBC
Friday, 20 March 2020 they announced waive of late payment fees and over limit fees of credit cards for three months and for clients to make contact with them should they need assistance with mortgages/loans. Tuesday, 24 March 2020 the announced reduced hours, they also closed their Church Street Branch at some point.Utilities
BELCO, the islands only power supplier, suspended disconnections for 30 days announced on Friday, 20 March 2020.Closures of Business
The following are closures link to the COVID-19 pandemic of Bermuda businesses. # The Swizzle (first published notification) # Connections Shoes (no reference to COVID-19 specifically as no comment by owner)See also
* Caribbean Public Health Agency *Media Links
Official links are to government websites and the few online news reporting we have in the country, in alpha order.References
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories 2020 in Bermuda 2021 in Bermuda