Government Update Regarding COVID-19
“Bermuda is working hard to ensure that it is ready to deal with a possible introduction of COVID-19 into our community,” Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, with the Ministry releasing three more educational flyers and a video.
A Government spokesperson said, “Over the weekend, The World Health Organization [WHO] announced that the global number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000.
“In their statement, WHO called on all countries to continue efforts that have been effective in limiting the number of cases and slowing the spread of the virus.
Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, “Amidst this disheartening news, I want to remind people that the spread of this virus can be significantly slowed or even reversed through the implementation of robust containment and control activities.
“To that end, in following WHO’s recommendations, Bermuda is working hard to ensure that it is ready to deal with a possible introduction of COVID-19 into our community by preparing our hospitals and clinics to manage a potential surge in patients and providing specialized training for health workers where most appropriate.
“Every person has the capacity to contribute, to protect themselves, to protect others, whether in the home, the community, the healthcare system, the workplace or the transport system.”
“Attached is a poster which has been created by the Government of Bermuda for healthcare facilities to print and display on their doors, advising individuals with respiratory symptoms and/or a relevant travel history to call ahead before entering the building, in an effort to limit any potential exposure risks to others.
“Also attached is a poster detailing COVID-19 prevention tips. The Ministry of Health is encouraging people to print and display the poster in their workplaces, community clubs and public bulletin boards.
“Also, please watch and share the following video regarding good hand hygiene.
“A guidance document has also been created by the Government of Bermuda entitled, ‘Guidance for hotels, guest houses, and Airbnb Operators in Bermuda.’
“It should be noted that travel advisories are regularly reviewed by the Public Health Emergency Response Team who make formal recommendations to the Government’s Ministers and Cabinet members. If/when the travel advisory changes, the Ministry of Health will announce those changes to the general public.
“And, finally, the Bermuda Post Office would like to reassure their customers that mail is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, ‘From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses does not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.’
According to the Government website, as of today “there are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda.”
The full Guidance for Hotels, Guest Houses & Airbnb operators in Bermuda follows below [PDF here]
To bad weren’t taking it serious weeks ago
Unacceptable to have to wait weeks for test results, govt need to explain this!
As when results come back —- it’s wavy too late to stop spread
Also why as such a small place as us are we not forcing quarantines for all returning travelers ?? Like Isreal has done
Looks crazy idea now but wait until corona has taken hold
Too late then…
Why are cruise ships still being allowed? The CDC has recommended people avoid travel on cruise ships at this point.
Prettty sure it has to do with losing all that $$$ the cruise lines pay govt
That’s the problem right there. The CDC has ‘recommended’. What is needed is for the governments to ‘enforce’.
I was watching CNN and FOX last night and the CDC representative actually clarified that they are only recommending that the elderly and/or people with preexisting medical conditions consider not traveling. Whether or not that has changed since last night, I don’t know.
But cruise ships are BIG business … and we all know money is what makes the world go round, so I’m sure it will have to get a good bit worse before anyone will shut down cruise ships and/or airlines.
I could not agree more with the Cruise ships that’s a catastrophe waiting to happen. At least with airlines it’s less people and easier to screen.
Are we doing this at KEMH?
Lahey Clinic:
We are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19. Please follow these new visitor guidelines in our hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers to keep our patients, staff and community safe and healthy:
☑️ All visitors must check in and will be screened for flu and COVID-19. Any visitor who is ill or has been exposed to COVID-19 will be asked to refrain from visiting today.
☑️ Only one visitor allowed per patient.
☑️ Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to visit.
For the complete policy, visit bilh.org/coronavirus.
CLOSE YOUR BORDERS NOW!
Oh STFU! You ignorant troll! Close our borders? Really? Such a stupid comment so surprised it got through
WHO in their RIGHT mind wrote this guidance for hotels, guest houses and Airbnb ?? You are expecting and asking staff to suit up, mask, gown and gloves to clean a sick persons room and give detailed instructions on how to dispose of sputum, vomit diarrhea, etc? The hotel, would be CLOSED and this would be the job of health care professionals..it won’t and can’t be business as usual ! We are looking at NO tourism revenue this year…other than this incomprehensible directive which is jaw dropping, what practical measures is this Government planning for the loss of paychecks that so many of us are looking at ?