Lockdown for two weeks from Saturday - Royal Gazette

Fiona McWhirter

Published Apr 1, 2020 at 4:09 pm (Updated Apr 1, 2020 at 5:07 pm)

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National address
David Burt, the Premier (File photograph by Blaire Simmons)

A 24-hour lockdown will be imposed for 14 days from Saturday in the battle against Covid-19, the Premier announced this afternoon.

David Burt said that he asked John Rankin, the Governor, to declare a state of emergency and that residents — with the exception of essential workers — must only leave their homes for food, medicine or gas.

Mr Burt added that the impact on the economy of such drastic measures “weighs heavily” on him

But he said: “I am certain that this is the right thing to do for Bermuda at this time.

“Together we must do all we can to save lives, and the danger of waiting is not worth the money it might save.

“We must act decisively and we must act now. The future of Bermuda depends on us all doing our part.”

The Premier explained, in a national address, that he met with the Governor this morning after a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

He asked Mr Rankin to “exercise his authority under section 14(3) of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency for Bermuda based on what is now necessary to intensify the fight against this virus”.

Mr Burt added that he asked the Governor to make regulations under legislation “to direct that Bermuda’s residents must ‘shelter in place’ for a period of 14 days”.

The Premier said: “What does this mean for you? The only way we will prevent this disease from intensifying in Bermuda is if our night-time routine of everyone in their properties is extended throughout the day.

“‘Shelter in place’ means we must stay at home unless we must go to the store for food or medicine or to a gas station.

“Other exemptions will be in place for workers in essential areas and that list will be similar to the one now in place for night-time curfew.”

He explained that the current curfew hours of 8pm to 6am will end on Saturday morning.

Mr Burt said: “From the moment that that curfew order expires, this country will be under a 24-hour requirement to ‘shelter in place’ for an initial period of 14 days.

“The Constitution requires that the Legislature meet within five days of a state of emergency being declared.

“I have confirmed with the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate that both houses will meet as required on Monday, April 6 at 10am and 12pm respectively.”

The Premier added: “The Attorney General’s Chambers is working on the regulations but I can indicate that they will require residents to ‘shelter in place’ for these 14 days, leaving their properties only if they are essential workers, in the case of medical emergencies or to purchase food or medicine.

“The only businesses that will remain open will be food producers or food wholesalers, retail grocery stores, doctor’s offices and medical facilities, pharmacies, gas stations, the ports, utility companies like gas and water will be available for emergency service; and banks on restricted hours and only to provide the most essential of services.”

Mr Burt recognised the “human element” that went beyond “the clinical public health advice and the cold language employed to give effect to this rare set of restrictions on the freedoms we all enjoy”.

He said: “It weighs heavily on me personally that these decisions stall an economy that has struggled to emerge from the global shift of 2008.

“Men and women across various sectors have lost jobs or now will suffer reduced income earning capacity.

“There is anxiety among our seniors and those who appear to be most susceptible to the worst effects of this disease.

“Some families are facing the stress of personal economic impact or of loved ones unable to return to Bermuda because of travel restrictions.

“These are hard times and our faith in many things is being tested. But we are a hard people and we can emerge from this stronger.

“My colleagues and I have wrestled with how best to respond to this pandemic and in addition to my personal faith I am guided by the oath I took when I was appointed to this office: to do right … without fear.”

Mr Burt added: “I feel deeply the impact that this will have on hardworking men and women across the Island, not only financially but emotionally.

“Uncertainty is never good and this is a period of global uncertainty. But the strongest defence to uncertainty is unity.

“This disease and its impact does not discriminate. It does not care how old you are, whether you are black or white, what your politics may be, or even your immigration status.

“Fighting this pandemic demands a unity of purpose that challenges us to lay aside those things that may divide us in times of peace and to join together in a common goal of keeping this island that we all call home safe.”

The Premier thanked the community for its support and for working together.

• To read David Burt’s national address, click on the PDF under “Related Media”

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