Inter-Island Communications News Brief – July 7, 2020

Read and listen to the Inter-Island Communications News Brief for July 7, 2020

An official inquiry will be conducted into the recent charity event held at Blu Restaurant in Warwick which saw attendees, including two Cabinet Ministers – National Security Minister Wayne Caines and Tourism and Transport Minister Zane DeSilva – engaging in behaviours forbidden by the ongoing public health regulations established to prevent the spread of COVID19.

According to a Government statement quote “M.E.F. Enterprises Limited was granted a large group exemption for the Meals on Wheels charity fundraising dinner, under the Public Health [COVID-19 Emergency Powers] Regulations 2020, by the Minister of National Security. The exemption was granted under regulation 5 [4], permitting a group of more than fifty persons to assemble on Friday, July 3rd 2020 from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Blu Bar and Grill Restaurant and as required, a notice was placed in the Official Gazette prior to the event. The notice required persons to wear masks and to adhere to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. From the videos shared, it can be seen that those rules were not being adhered to at all times during the event. The Government will conduct an inquiry and if it is confirmed that rules were violated without reasonable excuse, sanctions will be issued under Section 7[2] of the Public Health [COVID-19 Emergency Powers] Regulations 2020, which permit the Minister of Health to close an establishment that does not comply with health directions.”

Bermuda’s ongoing winning streak against covid19 has been maintained for another day with hundreds of negative test results received by public health officials. According to a Government spokesperson quote “there were 317 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19. Bermuda has had 146 total confirmed positive cases. All have recovered and the total deceased remains 9.”

The spokesperson went on to underline the public and recent visitors to Bermuda of the islandwide availability of COVID-19 testing, particularly that there will be tests available all week long in the City of Hamilton at the Cathedral. Additionally, on Wednesday from noon until 5 pm, you can get your COVID-19 test at Modern Mart, Thursday it’s running at Southside all day from 10 am until 7 pm and Friday, it’s available in the afternoon from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Somerset Marketplace. Free testing will continue across the island until the end of July.

A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before 4:45 p.m. on Sunday 5th July, police received a report of a two-vehicle on South Road in Warwick. Upon arrival, officers observed two motorcycles were involved in a head-on collision which left one man requiring emergency surgery for what is described as a serious leg injury and another arrested on suspicion of driving whilst impaired. Reports are the suspected impaired rider was traveling in an easterly direction along South Road, Warwick attempting to overtake two taxis while negotiating the series of bends just to the east of Warwick Camp. He reportedly entered the opposing lane and as he approached the junction with Camp Road and collided with another bike which was traveling in the opposite direction. Both men were transported to KEMH via ambulance. The suspected impaired rider was attended to and subsequently transferred to the Hamilton Police Station where he was processed and detained pending bail. The second rider remains warded at KEMH.”

Congratulations to Cedarbridge Academy graduate Nkosi Edwards and the Berkeley Institute’s Roneeyah Jones for earning the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Sigma Xi Omega Chapter education awards to study at Bermuda College. According to an AKA spokesperson quote “The ladies of Sigma Xi Omega Chapter engage in various community outreach projects, in addition, they host fundraising events for their Chapter’s annual education awards for a graduating public school senior. The awards are named after two Sigma Xi Omega Chapter charter members, Mrs. Geraldine Lambert, and Dr. Norma Jean Hendrickson. As the 2019-2020 school year has concluded, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Sigma Xi Omega Chapter, have awarded two graduating senior school students education awards.”