HAMILTON, BERMUDA – Two visitors have been fined $2,500 each in Court for breaking the requirements of the country’s COVID-19 Quarantine Order, when they attended a celebration prior to receiving their arrival test results.
The breach was revealed during the announcement for today’s test results. The announcement states that, “The public are advised that on 1st November 2020 two visitors to Bermuda broke the requirements of paragraph 12 of the Quarantine (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order 2020 (‘the Quarantine Order’). The individuals willfully broke their quarantine to attend a celebratory gathering, prior to receiving the results of arrival COVID-19 test as provided for under paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Quarantine Order.
“Both pleaded ‘guilty’ to the offense. The Crown asked for a fine of $3000 dollars to be paid by defendants who appeared in court today. The defendants stated they didn’t mingle with anyone during the gathering. Their COVID-19 test has since returned a ‘negative’ result. The court has made the decision to fine them $2500 dollars each or face 250 days in prison. ”
The Minister of Health Kim Wilson said: “Although it is disappointing that two of our visitors broke their quarantine requirements this weekend, I commend the outcome of today’s court decision. The prosecution of these individuals demonstrates that Bermuda takes the protection of our borders and the health of our people extremely seriously. I greatly hope that further breaches will not occur and potential offenders are now dissuaded from such actions.”
Meanwhile, Bermuda recorded a sharp jump of seven new COVID-19 cases within 3 days which pushes the island’s confirmed total to 206.
A Government spokesperson said, “There were 2561 test results received by the Ministry of Health from 30th October through 1st November, and seven were positive for COVID-19.
“The new cases are all classified as imported.
- “One case is a resident having arrived on AA308 from Miami on 29 October who tested positive on arrival.
- “One case is a visitor having arrived on BA 2233 from London on 24 October who was tested due to onset of symptoms. This individual tested negative on arrival and on Day 4.
- “One case is a visitor having arrived on Jet Blue B6203 from Boston on 31 October who tested positive on arrival.
- “The additional four cases [1 visitor and 3 residents] arrived on BA 2233 from London on 27 October 2020 and tested positive on their day 4 test.
“Case isolation and contact tracing has begun for all cases.
“The status of Bermuda’s 206 total confirmed positive cases is as follows:
- there are 21 active cases [all imported, consisting of 8 visitors and 13 returning residents], who are
- all under public health monitoring, and
- none are hospitalized or in critical care;
- a total of 176 have recovered, and
- the total deceased remains 9.
“The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 54 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 7 to 101 years.
“The average age of all deceased cases is 74 and the age range is 57 to 91 years.
“The source of all cases is as follows:
- 95 are Imported
- 90 are Local transmission, with known contact
- 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
- none are under investigation
“Bermuda’s country status is “Sporadic Cases”. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1.
