The government of Bermuda has imposed tougher restrictions, including the closure of schools, churches, and gyms for two weeks after dozens of new COVID-19 cases pushed Bermuda’s total beyond the 1,000 mark.
According to Premier David Burt, “We are in a dangerous place.”
Wilson said the contact tracing workload had intensified significantly with the latest surge in cases.
“Because of the high level of transmission in respect to this particular virus, they are coming to be overwhelmed,” she said.
According to the Premier, Bermuda will recover from the setback, but a renewed effort to mitigate the risks caused by the surge in cases was needed.
The series of new restrictions came into effect as of 6 a.m (local time) on Sunday.
“The stricter measures that will be adopted are designed not only to protect but preserve the basic progress we all made over this last year,” Burt said.
“This UK strain is a variant that has caused many other countries to suffer or slow down in the fight against the coronavirus.
“Our island is at a serious juncture. Our public health system is being significantly challenged. The teams are struggling to keep up with contact tracing, struggling to keep up with the work that is necessary in order to control this outbreak.”
Burt said churches will be closed for indoor services, indoor restaurant dining will be prohibited, apart from in hotels, indoor gyms and indoor cinemas will be closed, as will venues such as museums and bowling alleys.
In addition, retail and grocery stores will be limited to 20 percent capacity, schools and camps will be closed and remote working will be mandatory where possible. But licensed daycares will be allowed to remain open.
CMC
