Residents were reminded by the police today that curfew hours are between 7pm and 7am as the island faces an additional two weeks of shelter in place measures.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes said the start time for the overnight restriction appeared to be “the main area of confusion”.

He explained: “Under the regulations you must be in your home by 7pm and remain there until 7am.

“During the 7pm to 7am period there is no allowance for exercise periods outside of your home or travel to grocery stores, gas stations or pharmacies

“This morning there were shoppers lining up outside grocery stores well before the 7am opening time, and they found themselves being spoken to by police.

“Residents are also reminded in relation to exercise that they are allowed one hour’s exercise, no more than two persons together at a time, within a half mile radius of their homes.

“Again, this is only between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

“This exercise should be taken on the roads and cannot include accessing parks, beaches or railway trails, all of which are deemed closed under the regulations.”

Mr Weekes said that several people stopped at checkpoints told officers that they were delivering hot food to those in need.

He added: “The charitable instinct of Bermudians in these difficult times is praiseworthy, however without a permission letter from the Ministry of National Security, this meal delivery is not allowed for under the regulations.”

Mr Weekes asked members of the public to follow Shelter in Place Regulations and not to “clog up the checkpoints” if there is no valid reason for travel because it stops others who legitimately need to move around the island from reaching their destination.

He said: “Shopping trips are for the purpose of necessary shopping and are not to be treated as social gatherings. You should get your items and return home as quickly as possible.”

Mr Weekes said that social media posts showed there was misunderstanding about how to apply for permission to carry out certain functions.

He explained that if someone is exempted under the regulations because their work is critical, they do not need a permission letter but must carry identification to prove that their job is in an exempted category.

Anyone who needs permission to travel and is not exempted must apply to the Ministry of National Security using the online form at: http://forms.gov.bm/covid-19/shelter or by e-mailing criticalservices@gov.bm.

Mr Weekes said that the Bermuda Police Service does not issue exemptions or permissions under the regulations, which are to be extended to May 2.

He added: “Let’s continue to work together as we all seek to get through this difficult period in our island’s history.”