Premier: ‘Restrictions Do Not Expire At Midnight’
[Updated] “Coronavirus restrictions do not expire at midnight, they’ll remain in effect until changed,” Premier David Burt said today, explaining that Cabinet will review recommended changes to the restrictions at tomorrow’s [Jan 5] meeting.
The current regulations include, but are not limited to, an 11.00pm to 5am curfew, gatherings limited to a maximum of ten people, and businesses closing by 10pm.
The Premier tweeted, “Contrary to some posts, coronavirus restrictions do not expire at midnight, they’ll remain in effect until changed. The Cabinet will review recommended changes to the restrictions at tomorrow’s meeting & an update will be given at tomorrow’s press conference.”
Update 7.20pm: In the statement releasing today’s test results, the Ministry said, “Per Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (No 3) Regulations 2020, no person shall assemble in a group of more than 10 persons for any reason in any public or private place. Although indoor ceremonies and services are limited to 20% of the capacity of the church, this does not apply to receptions and wakes. A funeral service held outside at the gravesite is limited to a maximum of ten persons.”
Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, “I need to remind everyone that the Coronavirus restrictions, including the curfew, remain in place until the legislation is amended. They do not expire tonight.
“The Cabinet will review recommended changes to the restrictions at tomorrow’s meeting, and an update will be provided at tomorrow’s COVID-19 Update Press Conference at 5:45 pm.”
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
- Live Updates: Continuous updates of the latest news here.
This needs to be challenged to the extent that you can’t extend a restriction, here a curfew and a requirement for bars, restaurants etc to shut at 10pm, to a certain date, Jan 4, then say it remains in effect until changed. You change it before it expires. It appears this is a form of martial law. At best it creates confusion.
These are public health regulations made to keep everyone in Bermuda as safe as possible while keeping the islands running. It is nothing like martial law, but by all means find a lawyer and challenge the regulations.
For my part, I quite like the fact that I can go to a restaurant and feel safe as I enjoy my meal. I would not feel safe doing so in the U.S. or U.K. (which is currently under lock-down just because it did not take COVID-19 seriously).
Totally agree
I agree !!! Martial Law… Cabinet agreed until Jan. 5th thus they will need to approve a further extension!! Burt – The reality is that this outbreak is not yet fully contained, and the Cabinet following the advice of the Minister of Health has agreed to extend the current restrictions in place for another two weeks from December 22nd.
“The reality is that this outbreak is not yet fully contained …”
The “reality is” that COVID-19 will not likely be “fully contained” during my lifetime.