20 Point List Of Regulations In Effect As Of Today
[Updated] A number of new regulations took effect today [April 20] and we have attempted to compile a list of 20 of the key points, however please note that it is, in no way, representative of all the regulations, just aims to be a helpful guide of some of the key ones to assist everyone.
The information below was gathered from the 9-page official amendment and Government video Q&A events, and to stress again, it is not a complete list nor an official list, it is just an overview of some key areas.
Banks
A permitted business, so they remain open
Beauty Salons/Barbershops
They remain closed
Construction & Landscaping Work Allowed
The regulations allow people to work in these fields under these stipulations, “Persons engaged in construction, maintenance and related services, in accordance with relevant guidance, where the site is outdoors; or indoors, if the premises are uninhabited. Persons engaged in landscaping.
Co-parenting:
Regulations state: “Minor children of parents who do not live together may spend nights at the home of either parent to give effect to an agreement between the parents.”
Courier Services Allowed
Courier services allowed to operate
Curfew
It is now 8pm – 6am
Cycling
Minister Wilson said that cycling is now permitted
Fishermen & Farmers Can Sell
Licensed fishermen and registered commercial farmers may sell fresh produce roadside, Monday to Saturday only and between the hours of 7am to 7pm, and they may also make deliveries to customers.
Gas Stations
Permitted businesses, so allowed to open
Grocery Stores Open With Surname System
Permitted businesses so they remain open at 20% capacity, and the surname system remains in effect: A – F Mon & Thur | G – Q Tues & Fri | R – Z Wed & Sat | Sundays: 55 & over, disabled persons; essential workers & workers not required to work from home – these individuals may shop on their relevant day.
Laundromats Open By Appointment Only To One Household
Laundromats can open by appointment only, with the regulations stating that only “customers who are members of one same household to be allowed in the laundromat at any one time. They regulations also state, “a wash and fold service may be provided, so long as customers are not permitted to enter the premises during the drop-off or collection of their laundry.”
Schools
School buildings will remain closed, except for teachers that need to enter the facility to facilitate remote learning.
Surname System Only Applies To Grocery Stores
Update | Varied information was provided, so we sought clarification and have now been told by the Government that “only grocery shopping is following the alphabet shopping days.”
Tynes Bay
Minister Ming said, “Tynes Bay drop off facility will re-open for its normal operating hours, residents should adhere to the alphabetical system.” We have asked the Government for information on what the “alphabetical system” actually is. Update: Tje Government said, “Tynes Bay is open, and appropriate physical distancing should be followed. There is no requirement to follow alphabet days.”
Parks/Beaches/Trail Open, No Mixing Households
You can access beaches, parks, the Railway Trail and playgrounds alone or with members of your own household only.
Pharmacies
Permitted businesses, so allowed to open
Retail Stores Open For Curbside Pickup and Delivery Only
Retail stores can open from 7am to 7pm for curbside pickup and delivery only
Restaurants Open For Delivery & Take Out Only
Restaurants can open between 7am to 7pm for pick up and delivery only, dine-in services are prohibited.
Recreational Boating Is Allowed, No Mixing Households
It is allowed, as long as you don’t mix households, stay out past curfew or engage in a raft-up. The regulations state, “Only persons who are members of the same household may use a boat for any recreational purposes. No person shall use a boat for recreational purposes after 7pm. No person shall tie his boat to another boat [raft-up] for recreational purposes.”
No Mixing of Households In General
Regulations state: “A person shall not assemble in a group that includes persons who are not members of the same household, or host such a group, in any public or private place, unless doing so cannot reasonably be avoided in the course of an activity permitted by or under these Regulations.”
Need More Information?
Please read the regulations below, watch the Government media’s Q&A video from last night below, call the government Covid information number at 444-2498 or visit www.gov.bm/coronavirus. Please also note that things can, and do change, and the information above accurately reflects the regulations and comments made by officials at the time of printing.
Update 6.59pm: The Premier did a 14 point Twitter thread on the restrictions, it follows in full below:
A curfew will be in place from 8pm-6am every day; permitted businesses including grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations & registered health professional offices/facilities can continue to operate between 7am-7pm.
Grocery stores will continue to operate on the alphabetical system. A-F surnames Monday & Thursday, G-Q surnames Tuesday & Friday, R-Z surnames Wednesday & Saturday.
Sundays are reserved for persons over 55 & disabled persons at the Grocery stores. These persons may also shop on their relevant day based on their surname. Essential workers may also shop any day except for Sundays regardless of surname.
Retail stores, including pet stores are permitted to open for curbside & delivery service. Restaurants will resume for take-out & delivery only. These businesses are able to operate between 7am-7pm. All employees should take advantage of free testing to know their status.
Remote working remains mandatory if you are able to work from home. Employers should not force employees to come into work if they are able to perform their duties from home. If you are being asked to come in against the law please report it here: http://bermudajobboard.bm/evtl
The Tyne’s Bay drop-off facility will reopen on its normal operating hours of 7am-7pm.
Laundromats will be permitted to open from 7am-7pm & will be open by appointment for one household at a time to reduce mixing. A wash & fold service may be provided as long as customers are not permitted to enter premises during drop off or collection of their laundry.
Licensed fishermen & registered commercial farmers are permitted to sell local fish & local produce respectively on the roadside & may also engage in delivery.
Construction, maintenance & landscaping services are permitted to resume on outdoor sites and for indoor sites that are vacant or uninhabited. All employees returning to work should take advantage of free testing to know their status.
Courier, delivery & trucking services are permitted to operate. Speak to the courier service about delivery & curbside pick-up of your package if needed, as you are not permitted to enter the premises.
Parks, beaches & playgrounds will be reopened including Railway trails but you may only visit with members of your own household. There is still community transmission of the coronavirus in Bermuda, so mixing of households must be minimised.
Recreational boating will be permitted for members of the same household only. Tying to other boats (rafting-up) & mixing of households is not allowed & will be strictly enforced.
Bermuda, as we continue to make progress, I ask that all persons remain vigilant & follow the revised restrictions.
Govt Q&A held last night on the new regulations:
The Stay at Home amendment regulations follow below [PDF here]:
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: Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here
- Vaccinations: Data covering vaccinations here
- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: BermudaCovid.com website here
- Live Updates: Continuous updates here.
Has the government done even a cursory analysis of surname distribution?
That would assume there is some logic within the Government Minister’s thinking. Based on last night’s press conference we know logic and rationality are sorely lacking.
Alphabet shopping is only a good idea to a Government as it shows they can control the masses. When you could shop any day, but with the 20% capacity limitation, there were no lines. Now there are lines and it takes longer as a family only has 2 days to buy a weeks groceries instead of spreading it out over 7. Government stupidity in full view.
You have it the wrong way around, there were long lines when you could shop any day, I haven’t seen any lines when alphabetical.
Maybe your shopping day has less people?
Indeed. My question was rhetorical.
Marketplace at SB had lines on Saturday and Sunday. I would say though today the car park was pretty empty, which seems to indicate it makes no difference, but I still say alphabet shopping is a stupid restriction and only increases peoples stress that you can’t drop in for a forgotten item or 2 any day.
Can you please ask when the Post Office will be figuring out how people can collect their parcel post? I was told today they need days to figure out what to do. Just a suggestion, can it be treated like curb side pick up or an appointment system. Seems like it might get sorted just in time for the weekend when they are closed. If this goes the way of the alphabet system then many are going to get the short end of the stick.
Post is way behind. Several weeks worth of international mail was collected from the airport today.
Hmmm….
Do we still have to keep with a km of our homes or can we drive to parks, beaches, etc?
This question was asked in the press conference. Ming blinked at the camera, looking confused. Wilson scrabbled around with paper for a minute or so, and then said she thought the 1 km limit had likely been removed. I know that’s not very helpful, but it’s the best the two ministers responsible for all this came up with.