Bermuda residents will not be faced with a rollback of their existing freedoms unless there is community transmission of the coronavirus, the health minister revealed.

The present 18 active Covid-19 cases are all imported, involving 13 returning residents and five visitors to the island.

Sixteen of those cases have been recorded since October 5, when the Ministry of Health reported only two active cases on the island.

Health minister Kim Wilson said: “If we get to the point of community transmission, with unknown sources, then we will have to reassess where we are with our existing luxuries.”

She was speaking at the weekly Covid-19 press conference held by the Government.

Should community transmission of the virus develop, Ms Wilson said the health ministry may recommend adjustments, such as placing restrictions on the size of gatherings.

Ms Wilson said: “These are discussions we are having in the ministry.”

But she added: “Our hope is not to get there.”

David Burt, the Premier, said: “We are in a different place now than in April.

“By and large, we know who has the virus on these shores.”