Dunkley: Eliminate SafeKey, Curfew, TA Form

January 12, 2022

Do not renew the current emergency powers, get rid of SafeKey, end the curfew, and eliminate the travel authorization form are among the suggestions from Shadow Minister of Health Michael Dunkley.

Mr Dunkley said, “In light of the comments by Premier Burt that we must learn to live with Covid and the Government is considering changes to current restrictions here is a way forward to consider in the spirit of working together and getting Bermuda back on the right track.

“Covid is transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic,” he said. “Let’s use what we have learned to our advantage.

  • “Do not renew the current emergency powers when they are due to lapse
  • “Get rid of SafeKey. It is inequitable and is not working
  • “Eliminate the TA Form. In its current form it is proving to be a disincentive to visit Bermuda and it is an expensive bureaucratic inconvenience for returning residents. If the Government is not willing to eliminate it, then make it available at no cost for all travellers into the island
  • “Cut down on the use of PCR testing and use antigen tests upon arrival to Bermuda
  • “Don’t waste time on ‘pilot’ antigen programs. Antigen tests are being used effectively in many jurisdictions, such as entry into the US and for pre-arrival tests back to the island. If they are good for these purposes they can work in other areas such as school testing
  • “Shorten the isolation period for vaccinated people who test positive for Covid or are a close contact. Allow these people to have two negative home antigen tests on different days and then arrange an appointment for a government PCR test

covid-19 divider 1

You can find more information on the links below from our dedicated website BermudaCovid.com, which is the most comprehensive resource and historic record available of Bermuda’s handling of the pandemic.

  • All Charts: Vaccine, testing & more here
  • Timelines: Dates of major developments here
  • Test results: Chart of testing stats here
  • Vaccine: Data covering vaccinations here
  • Dedicated website: BermudaCovid.com

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Comments (16)

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  1. Good points but 6 months too late. says:

    Our most competitive caribbean islands already practiced these points and had a bumper year, potentially taking our business. We missed the boat and tourism businesses are closing up shop due to these protocalls.

  2. Thank you thank you thank you Mr Dunkley. Too bad you are not in position to make it happen. Instead we are held hostage in our own country. This man needs to listen to the people that are beyond sick and tired of the nonsense.

    Fill in a TA and pay $75.00 to get back into our own country. Can you imagine if the OBA instituted this. The marches would be out in full force. Where is the pastor and followers when we really need them.

    He also needs to stop the unnecessary PCR tests. Does he realize how many people are in quarantine with zero symptoms. Pathetic!!! The government should have to pay everyone’s weekly wage that are in quarantine and symptoms free.

    • LOL says:

      $75 is for 3 covid test. You do realize this also helps pay for staff that are doing the testing. Dunkley is the worst Premier in history 30-6 his own supporters didn’t even come out to vote with a record like that. Now go grab a chair and milk his cows.

      • sandgrownan says:

        I think the Great Krystal drinking Dame and her handbag carrier, Alex Berkley debacle Scott, Paula Cog, Dreb, and now BitCoin Dave all give Dunkley a run for his money.

        Bear in mind, the only uptick in the economy since 1998, was during the OBA’s short time in power.

        Ironically, the only people milking cows will be PLP supporters.

      • LOL……. if that’s what you think the $75.00 is being used for, then you really are out of touch. Research who set up the TA form and its partners.

        Obviously you live in La La land.

  3. Joe Bloggs says:

    “Covid is transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic,”

    Thank you, Dr. Dunkley.

    Unfortunately, neither Dr. Anthony Fauci nor Prof. Chris Whitty, the leading experts, have shared any such opinion with the public.

  4. Shabooh Shoobah says:

    Having recently experienced the Omicron variant with family members it is nothing more than full blown flu. Yes it’s slightly worse than a typical flu cold but to call it a disease is outright lying. Government needs to scale back the TA application to a pretest and day 2 test only. The only thing being achieved right now is economic destruction. No amount of testing will stop the flu from spreading any 5 year old can figure that out.

  5. Kim Pennell says:

    Disagree with scrubbing safekey all together
    Though do feel it should be reviewed

    I feel somewhat more comfortable -if i have to be out,in the knowledge that others in close proximity to me are of similar status
    Yet i can still leave if other factors do not feel ‘comfortable’

    • Question says:

      If you’re vaccinated, why do you care, given that vaccines do little to prevent someone being infected? In a restaurant, even if everyone around you is vaccinated, you have no idea whether one or more of them is infected. You certainly can’t assume none of them are.

      • sandgrownan says:

        Factually incorrect. They reduce the likelihood of infection. Stop peddling anti-vax nonsense.

        • question says:

          “reduce the likelihood”. Marginally, at best. And I see you’ve dropped the idea they can be relied upon to prevent infection.

          Talking about this is not ‘anti-vax nonsense’.

          • sandgrownan says:

            Actually, I have never stated that vaccinated prevents infection. So, haven’t dropped anything.