Inter-Island Communications News Brief – March 8, 2021

A police spokesperson said, “At 12:30 pm on Friday 5th March 2021, officers were dispatched to a report of an assault on two Regiment soldiers who were carrying out security duties at the Bulls Head Car Park Covid testing site. The victims stated that they were performing traffic duties to separate Covid testing visitors from car parking traffic, when around 12:00 pm a female riding a black Click motorcycle, attempted to use a Corporation of Hamilton swipe card to gain access to the parking lot but was unsuccessful. The Regiment personnel advised her to take a ticket from the machine and to sort out the issue at a later time. The woman instead allegedly reversed her bike then drove it into one of the soldiers. She reportedly struck him in the right leg and rode over his right foot. The suspect is said to have again reversed her bike, drove toward the other soldier and rode over his left foot. The suspect then rode off but remained at the location where she was eventually located by officers and arrested. The suspect was subsequently interviewed at the Hamilton Police Station and granted police bail. Inquiries into both matters remain ongoing and anyone with information on either incident is urged to call 211 or, the main police number, 295-0011.”

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce has conducted a follow-up foot survey to record new data on the impact of COVID-19 on business in Bermuda. Conducted in December 2020 the new survey examines the change in business operations across four major business communities including the City of Hamilton, North Hamilton, St. Georges and Dockyard compared to the August 2020 survey results. The updated data from the survey was collected over a two week period in early December and continues to look at the overall status of businesses who are currently operating as fully open, on reduced hours, temporarily closed and permanently closed. The survey has continued to focus on four main sectors to include: food and beverage, personal care, clothing and speciality stores [which include gift stores, homewares, unique products and combination stores]. Key conclusions are that 8 per cent of businesses have permanently closed, 65 per cent are fully open with 27 per cent temporarily closed and reduced hours.”

Kendaree Burgess, CEO at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce said quote “The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be able to continue to support the business community by providing this valuable information. The majority of the new data shows there are some positive signs with business sectors, but COVID-19 is still greatly affecting businesses across the island. The impact of COVID-19 is still very prevalent to all businesses and the Chamber will continue to support and advocate on their behalf.”

One of Bermuda’s premier hotel properties’ commitment to visual art has been highlighted in one of the world’s most well-known magazines. Vanity Fair Michelle Chan had an article published Sunday on the VF website detailing her experience with the Hamilton Princess, owned by the Green family. The article reads in part quote “the family might be new to the hotel game but the Hamilton Princess dates back more than 130 years. Over the decades, Hollywood greats, as well as New York and London high society, visited the nicknamed Pink Palace. Some came to the party, others to be healed; with its fresh sea air, Bermuda—and the hotel—became known as a place to recover from pulmonary ailments (take note). Since the acquisition, the Greens have spruced the place up, but the most significant addition is, of course, their art, taking visitors on a journey from the radical 1920s to Pop to Op to the contemporary. It’s not particularly profound art, which makes it perfect for a hotel that’s a little bit urban and a little bit resort.

“We’re lucky that our aesthetic happens to be fun and playful,” Alexander says. Not only is the content accessible but the presentation makes it easy to connect with, from the simple picture frames to anti-interpretive labelling.”

Bermuda’s greatest Paralympian is giving back to the community on her birthday early next month. Sprinter Jessica Lewis shared that she’s collaborating with WindReach Bermuda on the second annual Rolling for WindReach Challenge to help earn support for the charity’s variety of support programs. A flyer posted on social media by Windreach reads quote “You’re invited! Join super-supporter and past participant Jessica Lewis for our second annual Rolling For WindReach and help her celebrate her 28th birthday. Roll, run, row, swim, cycle, walk 28 miles in 28 days and help her raise much-needed funds to support our therapeutic and educational programmes at WindReach Bermuda. She’s doing all of this while maintaining her rigorous training for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Registration opens on March 8th on www.racedayworld.com.”