Dear Sir,

If there has been one consistent message throughout the pandemic, it has been “follow the science”. The Bermuda Government Covid-19 team has made adjustments to regulations, and implemented and removed mandates based on the science in front of them.

So, why not now? It is blatantly clear that the vaccinated arriving passengers have been importing the virus in larger numbers than ever expected. The data has been available since July 8 when Chief Justice Narinder Hargun asked for the breakdown of imported cases showing that four of five in the reporting period were vaccinated.

So, why not now? Bermuda is at a rate of 72 per cent of the imported cases coming from vaccinated travellers.

So, why not now? The most frightening information is that some of the positives are coming at Day 10 tests. This means the traveller has been out in the community — with a valid SafeKey — for the days before a positive result.

So, why not now? The Minister of Health has stated herself that we have seen that vaccinated persons can contract and transmit the virus to both unvaccinated and vaccinated people.

Why has not the public health team implemented a quarantine period for arriving vaccinated persons?

Remember the words of the Premier, David Burt: “The Government is committed to making the tough decisions required to move this island beyond the pandemic.”

It is well past the time to make this decision, especially with the longevity of the protection from vaccination in question now and no requirement for boosters in Bermuda yet. If even one vaccinated traveller transmits within the local community, it is one too many, as we know it can lead to cluster cases.

The mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated travellers was mandated specifically, as Mr Burt stated, “to keep the people of this island we call home safe”. This is accomplished by keeping the imported cases out of the community.

ARLENE BREWSTER

St David’s