The Bermuda Hotel Association [BHA] “welcomed the relaxation and changes to the testing requirements,” while the Chamber said “our members in the restaurant sector see the removal of SafeKey as a lifeline to an ailing industry” and “the retail and tourism sectors are also breathing a sigh of relief.”
This follows after the Government announced a major easing of Covid restrictions, including the SafeKey being eliminated from use in most circumstances, the size of group gatherings increased from 20 to 100, reduced testing when arriving on the island and more.
Bermuda Hotel Association Welcomes Changes
A spokesperson said, “The members of the Bermuda Hotel Association [BHA] have welcomed the relaxation and changes to the testing requirements for both fully immunized and vaccinated visitors which will be effective on Monday 7th. March 2022, as confirmed by the Premier, the Hon. E David Burt JP MP, who is also the Minister of Tourism.”
Bermuda Hotel Association President
Tim Morrison, the BHA President and General Manager of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club stated, “This announcement comes as very welcomed news to our industry, and we support it wholeheartedly. This is a testament to the Government’s commitment to working with Tourism and the Hospitality industry to take steps towards fully reopening our economy safely, while balancing the appropriate levels of ongoing health and safety protocols.
“We will be working closely with the Bermuda Tourism Authority to ensure that our key international travel markets, as well as airline partners, are informed of these important developments, as we collectively work to once again attract the key corporate, leisure and group business back to our destination. Our goal remains to positively rebuild our economy and to get as many of our industry colleagues back to full employment.”
Bermuda Hotel Association CEO
BHA CEO Stephen Todd stated, “The significant challenges and economic strain that has been placed on our destination hasn’t been lost on the BHA and our industry members, and we wish to acknowledge and commend the Bermuda Government, our health professionals and everyone both on the front line and in support roles, as well as the wider community for keeping our destination visitors and our residents as safe as possible during the course of the past two years.
“We are now at the point of being in a position to both ease and remove the previously required testing protocols, which fully enables Bermuda to compete on a level playing field with other international destinations and countries who are taking similar steps to restore their economies and to get their residents back to full employment.”
“As an industry the BHA along with our colleagues will continue our collective efforts to rebuild the economy as well as to ensure that we strictly adhere to all Health and safety protocols, whilst ensuring that our future guests, visitors, colleagues and residents remain safe as we all learn to live with the virus.”
Chamber of Commerce CEO
Kendaree Burgess, CEO of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce added, “The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce is pleased that the numerous meetings between Health and industry have led to a relaxation of the regulations. Our members in the Restaurant sector see the removal of SafeKey as a lifeline to an ailing industry; families are returning to indoor dining; anecdotal reports are of full dining rooms.
“The Retail and Tourism sectors are also breathing a sigh of relief, confident that the latest round of changes will hasten a return to in person, on island meetings and events. While we recognize that COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared, the island has the knowledge of how best to protect ourselves and to operate safely. We look forward to increased activity to restart our economic engines.”
Thanks
A spokesperson added, “Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Bermuda Government, the Ministry of Health as well as all who have worked tirelessly to ensure that Bermuda can move forward in fully reopening our destination.”
