Govt Provides More Info On Mask Regulations
The Government has provided additional information about wearing masks, after announcing that regulations have been amended to introduce fines – $500 for the first offence and $1,000 for the second offence — for “persons not wearing a mask in accordance with the law.”
The Minister explained that if a physical distance of 6ft [2 meters] cannot be maintained from others you must wear a mask unless you are at home, with members of your household, eating or drinking, doing high exertion exercise or you are a child under the age of 2.
She also explained that the mask requirement includes, but is not limited to, workers at all workplace premises, passengers on public transport or in taxis, people person visiting establishments unless otherwise allowed by specific guidance [e.g. dining, gyms] and in ”public places [streets or parks] when other persons are present and 6 feet distance cannot be maintained.”
Please note the text above is paraphrased, and you should scroll down and read the Minister’s comments in full and also see the link to the Government website for their official mask guidance information.
During today’s [Dec 2] release of test results, Health Minister Kim Wilson said, “As I stated in my press conference remarks last night, health regulations have been amended to introduce fines for persons not wearing a mask in accordance with the law.
“A person who now fails to wear a mask when one is required commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to:
- a]a fine of $500, in respect of a first offence
- b]a fine of $1,000, for a second or subsequent offence.
“If anyone is confused regarding when to wear a mask, please visit coronavirus.gov.bm and read the guidance regarding mask-wearing. To be clear, if physical distance of 6ft [2 meters] cannot be maintained from others you must wear a mask. Unless:
- You are at home;
- You are with members of your household;
- While eating or drinking;
- Doing high exertion exercise [see gym guidance]; or
- A child under the age of 2 [see guidance].
“This mask requirement includes, but is not limited to:
- 1. Workers at all workplace premises – in accordance with workplace guidance
- 2. Passengers onboard public transport or in taxis must wear masks
- 3. Any person visiting any establishment [indoor or outdoor] [e.g. grocery store, shop, bank, office, etc] unless otherwise allowed by specific guidance [e.g. dining, gyms].
- 4. In public places [streets or parks] when other persons are present and 6 feet distance cannot be maintained.”
The Government’s ‘mask guidance’ website page can be found here.
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As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official: The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here
- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: Our BermudaCovid.com website here
Did they fix the nonsensical wording on the legislation?
It is easy to criticise the wording of legislation.
It is harder to obey the law consistently
It is not easy to criticize the wording when it is written correctly.
It isn’t hard to draft a legislation that is worded correctly and it is important because the wrong wording can render the law null and void, unenforceable in a court of law.
It isn’t hard to obey the law consistently if it makes sense.
But do they actually work? Government needs to do a study on whether they actually work and are safe.
Well other thought is they are looking for money that was lost this year.
Why should Bermuda do original research when we have ready and free access to the research and opinions of some of the most experienced people in the world?
The consensus of top epidemiologists is that masks DO WORK to inhibit the spread of COVID-19.
Tell that to the innocent people who get covid on an airplane from an infected person – all of whom are wearing masks.
Another law backed by a threat!
Piss of Jerome
Tell that to the innocent people who get covid on an airplane from an infected person – all of whom are wearing masks.