Police Reminder: Shelter At Home Regulations

April 15, 2020

Shopping trips “are not to be treated as social gatherings,” the police said today, adding that “this morning there were shoppers lining up outside grocery stores well before the 7:00am opening time, and found themselves being spoken to by police.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of some of the requirements of the Shelter at Home Regulations now that they have been extended for a second 14 days, to May 2nd 2020.

“The main area of confusion appears to be the start time for the night-time curfew. Under the Regulations you must be in your home by 7pm and remain there until 7am.

“During the 7pm to 7am period there is no allowance for exercise periods outside of your home or travel to grocery stores, gas stations or pharmacies.

“This morning there were shoppers lining up outside grocery stores well before the 7:00am opening time, and found themselves being spoken to by police.

“Residents are also reminded in relation to exercise that they are allowed one hour’s exercise, no more than two persons together at a time, within a half mile radius of their homes. Again, this is only between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.

“This exercise should be taken on the roads and cannot include accessing Parks, Beaches or Railway Trails, all of which are deemed closed under the regulations.

“A number of persons have also been stopped at checkpoints stating they are delivering hot food to people in need. The charitable instinct of Bermudians in these difficult times is praiseworthy, however without a permission letter from the Ministry of National Security, this meal delivery is not allowed for under the regulations.

“We urge the Bermudian public to abide by the Shelter at Home Regulations and not clog up the checkpoints if you do not have valid reason for travel, as this prevents those who legitimately need to travel from getting to where they need to be.

“Shopping trips are for the purpose of necessary shopping and are not to be treated as social gatherings. You should get your items and return home as quickly as possible.

“It is also clear from social media postings about persons not receiving Permission letters to carry out various functions, that there is some misunderstanding still about how to apply for a Permission.

“If you are exempted under the Regulations because your work is critical, you do not need a Permission letter, but must carry ID to prove that you are in an exempted category. If you require permission to travel and are not exempted, you must apply to the Ministry of National Security using the online form which can be found here, or by emailing to criticalservices@gov.bm.

“The Bermuda Police Service does not issue exemptions or permissions under the Shelter at Home Regulations.

“Let’s continue to work together as we all seek to get through this difficult period in our island’s history.”

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Comments (3)

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  1. hardly working says:

    As one of the people in line, we were more than “spoken to” by the officers. They took our names, addresses, and contact details. They said we were being issued a citation. It was an absolute misunderstanding/miscommunication as this “clarification” today is the first time they have published times we are allowed to “leave our houses”. Not one of the many people standing in line already, were aware that the curfew time had changed from 6am to 7am. I would like clarification if they intend to reverse the citations since they did not make it clear before today. Now it’s clear. Now we know. Anyone leaving their home before 7am now, has no excuse as of today.

  2. we need the actual people to comment to news services says:

    The people lined up (mentioned in this report) were not just “spoken to”.
    There was no documentation until this report in any government presentation that made it clear that the public could not leave their homes after 6AM and line up outside grocery stores.
    The officer stationed at Lindo’s Warwick this morning April 15, was reported to be abrasive and acting as though it was common knowledge that the time (6AM) to be free of curfew established by law had been changed to 7AM- when there had been no statement in law or in any of the news conferences since curfew was instituted that that was the case.
    I think those members of the public that were made to feel threatened should make reports to the police, or the press. I am not overstating the situation- the members of the public were not handled properly this morning at Lindo’s Warwick.

  3. Mary says:

    I was at a store and was advised that I could not enter without a mask. However when I entered the store, after applying my mask. I noticed a Tall male in a t-shirt and jeans, with a Gluttonous amount of food in his cart… Not wearing a mask or gloves.!! I found it alarming that the rules where not applied in the actual store!!! As the positive results for this virus are overwhelmingly increasing, we need to apply the rules all across the board!

    ** Staff need to be trained, and security needs to be increased inside the facilities that are open to the public! THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING HERE IN BERMUDA **THAT ARE CARRYING THE VIRUS, HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, AND ARE INFECTING OTHERS, UNKNOWINGLY**