[Updated] A number of police officers were seen outside of Sophia Cannonier’s house overnight, and supporters of Ms Cannonier also gathered at the residence.
The police have not yet made an official statement and we have not directly spoken with Ms Cannonier, however, according to unofficial comments from supporters at the scene as well as a live stream on the Bermuda Freedom Alliance social media, the police appear to be present due to some form of an issue related to quarantine, with Ms Cannonier said to have arrived on the island today.
Ms Cannonier, a well known Pilates instructor and natural health advocate, has been outspoken about matters related to Covid-19.
There are multiple police officers on the road leading up to the residence, and multiple police officers outside the actual residence.
There is also yellow tape across an area and at least one person wearing the PPE you normally see health/testing official wearing. The situation has been ongoing for at least two hours now, and a number of supporters are present.
Update 4.00am: The police said, “The Bermuda Police Service wishes to advise that the situation involving a family who declined to quarantine at a government approved facility, and instead proceeded to their residence upon returning to the island, remains under review. As such, there will be no further comment on the matter at this time.”
Update 5.30am: While we did not exactly go right up to the door [due to the anti-social hour] as of 5.15am this morning, we do not see the same large police presence in the general area of the residence this morning.
We will update with further information as able.
Update 7.48am: Speaking with Eugene Dean this morning, he told Bernews, “Last night, as a result of conversations that were had by legal representatives, the Health Department and the police, what was agreed upon was to take a recess.
“All those who had gathered dispersed, the police officers left, the Health Department officials left, and two police officers remained in an effort to make sure that no one went in or came out of the house.”
He added that it was agreed that no effort would be made to enter the house or to attempt to arrest and the “conversation is meant to continue on today” about “what next steps will be taken.”
Mr Dean explained that they had a test before leaving the UK, noted that the couple are holistic health practitioners and work to assist people in being healthier, and said this was the first time something like this has happened in Bermuda, and called it “precedent setting.”
He thanked the police and health officials for “being part of a process that allowed what was happening last night to come to an end and take a recess” and also thanked lawyer Marc Daniels, who he said is representing the family
Mr Dean also thanked everyone for the “outpouring of support from the community,” noting that people showed up in person and said it made a difference. “Thank you very much to everyone,” he said.
