Inter-Island Communications News Brief – October 22, 2020

Hurricane Epsilon is a potential threat to the island but isn’t likely to present an impact beyond a winter gale. This from National Security Minister Renee Ming during yesterday evening’s Emergency Measures Organisation national update.

Hurricane Epsilon is expected to remain nearly 200 miles away from the island, but it’ll still reach us with tropical storm force winds at its closest point. This from Bermuda Weather Service Director Marc Guishard during yesterday evening’s Emergency Measures Organisation national update.

There was meaningful dissatisfaction with and resistance to the compulsory land purchases in Tucker’s Town expressed by the original landowners. This from historian Dr. Theodore Francis in his testimony to the Historic Land Losses Commission which sat yesterday afternoon.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] and OpenClear announced today a collaboration that offers travelers to Bermuda convenient access to an expedited COVID-19 screening service in line with the Government of Bermuda’s health protocols. Starting October 27, OpenClear’s COVID-19 screening service is available every Tuesday and Thursday [9 am–3 pm, by appointment only] in midtown, New York City. The service is designed to help visitors to Bermuda from the New York City area, as well as returning residents of Bermuda, obtain a COVID-19 test result for the country’s pre-trip Travel Authorisation process. Since Bermuda reopened its tourism industry safely and responsibly July 1, one-third of the island’s leisure visitors are from New York addresses.”

BTA Interim CEO Glenn Jones shared that quote “Bermuda’s rigorous protocols have kept visitors and residents safe, and now, in New York City, consumers ready to return to travel safely can access our open-air, island life experience more easily. This collaboration with OpenClear is another way to help set Bermuda’s safety record apart from other destinations.”