MP asks people to keep calm over mandatory quarantine
Government backbencher Jason Wade has called for Bermuda to “turn down the volume” and not become “consumed with hatred and frustration” over Covid-19 restrictions.
The MP for Southampton East Central said: “There is a lot of chatter out there … Let’s be conscious of the words we are using and the comments we are making.
“Let’s be quick to listen and slow to speak. Let’s turn down the volume a bit, Bermuda, and pull back.”
His comments come after David Burt, the Premier, and his Cabinet were booed on Tuesday at a demonstration against travel restrictions and other Covid-19 prevention measures.
The protestors handed a list of demands to Mr Burt, including an end to the mandatory supervised quarantining for non-vaccinated residents returning to Bermuda from abroad.
The Premier told them: “I am grateful we live in a democracy where everyone is free to express their opinion.”
Mr Wade said: “As a member of our community, I am acutely aware of the discontent being spread on social media and otherwise regarding the mandatory hotel quarantine for unvaccinated passengers.
“I get why people are upset and why they are fatigued. I get that people want to move forward with less restrictions.
“I also get that people don't like the idea of some people having to abide by more restrictions than others.”
The Progressive Labour Party politician said the restrictions applied to everyone, including legislators.
“The narrative being perpetuated by some that we take some sort of pleasure in the suffering of others is unfortunate and disheartening,” he added. “We have all had to endure a massive burden – elected and unelected officials, workers, volunteers etc.”
He said the the hotel quarantine was necessary because some people would not or could not get vaccinated.
“As a government, we cannot allow people to put themselves or others at risk of transmitting this highly contagious Covid-19 virus that has caused so much destruction and loss of life worldwide.”
Mr Wade said there was “light at the end of the tunnel”, adding: “ … we have a plan to move beyond the pandemic. Do not allow our plan to protect our people to divide us, as the damage may be irreparable.
“We cannot become so consumed with hatred and frustration that we jeopardise our own health and safety.”
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