Noting the heightened potential for disease transmission between visitors and locals with increasing visitor arrivals, Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health and Seniors, said: “Preparation is key to managing this threat. And it is important to train well in advance of June 2017.”

The endeveour is also supported by stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities, the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the Bermuda Hotel Association.

“The aim is to improve the health and safety of visitors to Bermuda thus making Bermuda’s tourism product more competitive, resilient and sustainable,” Senator Michael Fahy, the Minister of Tourism, said.

The programme covers four key elements: building necessary public health capacity, international certification in food and environmental safety, real time information and monitoring of illness occurring among visitors and the corresponding level of alert, and health, safety and environmental sanitation standards.

BTA COO Karla Lacey said: “A focus on preventative measures to maintain the health safety of our destination is crucial. We support this initiative and will continue to work with our partners to protect Bermuda’s reputation as a safe destination.”