The Shelter in Place starts on Saturday for two weeks; you are not allowed to go out unless it is for food, medicine or to the gas station, there will be exemptions for essential workers, grocery stores will be open the whole time and extending a 5% discount, and you are allowed to exercise outside your home within a reasonable distance with no more than groups of two for restricted times.
These were some of the statements made in the Premier’s national address and the press conference held following that, explaining some of the policies that will be in effect during the Shelter in Place, which has been put in place following the declaration of a State of Emergency.
In an attempt to provide some clarity, we have extracted some of the relevant points from the Premier’s two statements yesterday; which are below, however for the final and full details, you should always refer to the official Government website. Please also note that the overnight curfew [8pm – 6am] is in effect until Saturday, when the Shelter in Place begins.
From 6am, Saturday April 4th – April 18th
“From 4 April at 6am, Bermuda will implement the Shelter in Place measure for 14 days. The Shelter in Place is scheduled to end on 18 April.”
What Does It Mean?
‘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 nighttime curfew.
“So what does Shelter in Place look like in practical terms? It means that the only businesses that will remain open are food producers, such as farmers, fishermen, and those persons who raise and herd livestock, food wholesalers, retail grocery stores, doctors’ offices and medical facilities, pharmacies, gas stations, the ports, utility companies like gas and water will be available for emergency services and banks on restricted hours to only provide the most essential of services.
Regulations
“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.”
Essential Businesses Will Open
“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 & water will be available for emergency service; and banks on restricted hours and only to provide the most essential of services.
Grocery Stores
“Grocery stores will open during the 14 days that we will be sheltering in place. And in addition to that, all major grocery store chains have confirmed that the traditional Wednesday 5% discount will be in place during the entire duration of the Shelter in Place.”
“Our ports will be open for goods, and goods will continue to come to the island. If you run out of necessary items, you will still be able to purchase them.”
Banks
“Local banks have been designated as essential services. However, all face to face interactions between bank customers and bank employees will be suspended for the two week period. Bank office operations include the servicing of ATM machines and the processing of wire payments, among other things such as online banking will continue.”
Exercise
“People will be allowed to exercise outside their home within a reasonable distance with no more than groups of two, for restricted times.”
We Must Save Lives
“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.”
