Remarks by the Hon Premier Following A Meeting of the Public Health Emergency Response Team (PHERT)
Earlier today, I attended a meeting of the Public Health Emergency Response Team (PHERT), which has been meeting regularly since the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Led by the Ministry of Health, as of last week Monday this body mirrors the EMO structure, with which we are very familiar, and brings together all relevant agencies to coordinate our efforts at preparing for this urgent public health crisis.
There has been a daily flow of information to the public as we are determined to learn early lessons from those countries where the virus is spreading more rapidly, and there are recorded cases of both seriously ill persons and, unfortunately, deaths.
The principal objective of today’s meeting was to confirm the plans and identify any additional resource needs of all agencies in preparation for the worst-case scenario. As we watch the rest of the world combat the various issues that arise as a result of the aggressive spread of the virus we have the opportunity to be nimble and develop plans that will mitigate the impact on Bermuda.
There are some realities for which we must prepare even if things do not reach this point for Bermuda:
- I can confirm that last week, the Government of Bermuda has secured the capability for employees to work remotely in the event that we may need to require public officers to work from home;
- The Ministry of Education has an existing plan for health-related events like this which is being revised in the event that we will need to deliver the curriculum to students outside of the traditional school classroom setting;
- Later today the Minister of Finance will be meeting with the Bermuda Banking Association, and additionally, the Minister of Finance and I will meet with hospitality, local and international business representatives to ensure both business continuity in the event of a worst-case scenario as well as fair and equitable treatment for workers who may be impacted by Covid-19;
- I have met with the US Consul General and the Governor to confirm our requests through diplomatic channels in the USA and the UK for additional equipment for use by our first responders and the general public; and
- I have directed that all non-essential travel be cancelled for members of the Public Service and all Public Authorities.
Following today’s meeting, I am pleased further update the public on actions taken to provide localized testing for Covid-19.
Testing kits have been ordered and are expected on-Island next week. The ability to test and have faster results is critical to mitigating the risk of community spread of the virus.
Many additional items such as personal protective equipment, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and temperature monitors to support our health services and to augment our border protection activities are en route. The Minister of Finance has made necessary funding available to support these preparatory stages and any further measures that may be necessary.
At this time the Civil Service Executive is meeting, and as part of its agenda for today, the leadership of the Public Service is ensuring that all plans are in place and in a state of readiness to protect Public Service employees who, in many cases, provide frontline services interfacing with the public.
Daily updates are being released by the Government, and yesterday’s update indicated that we are awaiting additional results of tests for Covid-19 and our hope is that those tests too will be negative.
Irrespective of the results, there is a need now for us as a community to exercise sensitivity and adopt different practices in our everyday lives. We will have heard the term ‘social distancing’, and it is something we must now adopt.
We will all need to curb our natural affinity to shake hands, kiss and hug on greeting each other whether in our workplaces, churches or places of entertainment. We must be prepared to do all that we can to ward against community transmission in the event that we may have Covid19 on our shores. The best way to protect our families and loved ones is for all of us who call Bermuda home to be vigilant in our actions.
In addition to practising social distancing, there are some key messages that I must re-emphasize in the interest of public safety, every Bermuda resident must:
- Thoroughly wash your hands frequently using soap and warm water, if you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizers;
- If you cough, please do so into your elbow or a tissue
- Disinfect surfaces frequently, and
- Avoid close contact with anyone displaying cough and fever symptoms.
- If you have a cough or a fever – please stay home and call your doctor, if you don’t have a doctor call 239-2009. Do not go to your doctor’s office.
If there are Covid-19 cases detected on our shores that cannot be traced to recent travel history, there may need to be further action to limit the spread of the virus; this may involve postponing events & gatherings. However, those decisions will be taken based upon the advice of our public health experts.
We are committed to keeping the public informed and to ensuring that we employ all of the means at our disposal to keep Bermuda and the people who live and work here as safe as possible in the light of this rapidly changing situation.
I urge members of the public to follow the official notices from the Government at www.gov.bm/coronavirus. This site contains the latest statistics and is the source that residents should use for official information from the Government of Bermuda. Daily notices are also available on the TreeFrog app, which can be downloaded on your mobile phone and are being shared on all Government social media accounts.
In closing, stay calm. This is a time for unity and collective action. It is a time to reinforce the sensible steps necessary to minimize any possible transmission in Bermuda to keep our loved ones safe. The coronavirus is a threat, but there are examples of many countries around the world that have taken strong action to minimize that threat. I am confident that together, Bermuda will do the same, and our unity in this time of challenge will be our strength.