The Bermuda government on Thursday reimposed a night-time curfew in the face of a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, driven by the new highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Bars and restaurant owners are preparing to take a big hit over the holiday period because of the curfew, which will run from 12.30 a.m. to 5 a.m. The previous curfew was lifted at the start of November as fourth-wave cases eased.
Tables and bars at restaurants will be limited to groups of no more than 10 people, spaced six feet apart. The restrictions will be in force until at least January 20, the government said.
Health Minister Kim Wilson also “strongly” discouraged household mixing, saying if they did everyone should take an antigen test before meeting.
The island’s zoo has been closed to protect animals after the jump in coronavirus cases.
The number of confirmed Omicron cases has shot up to 74 with active cases overall rising to 152, a rise of 90 from the previous report, according to health officials.
Dennie O’Connor, owner of the White Horse in St George’s, said the curfew means closure at least an hour earlier to allow staff to get home before the deadline.
He said the curfew had come at the worst time of the year and would hit bars and restaurants hard.
He told the Royal Gazette newspaper: “The news of the curfew is the final blow for us in the restaurant industry as this is the highest revenue time of the year with the tourist season dying out.”
He added: “It’s not just new year, it’s every day right through to New Year’s Eve — it’s normally one big party.”
O’Connor said the White Horse had stayed open until the early hours in recent times, but that a new curfew could see revenues slashed by as much as 50 per cent.
He added that he had hired two bands to see in the new year but they would play shorter sets.
O’Connor said: “It’s a hard hit. A huge hit.
“We all understand why it’s being done but, at the same time, people have to be allowed to live.”
In all, Bermuda has recorded 5,917 COVID-19 cases with 106 deaths. Seventy percent of the population have been doubly vaccinated with 28 percent also receiving a booster shot.
CMC
