Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) today provided an update on relief measures being implemented to assist its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BELCO customers who have applied for and been approved to receive the Bermuda Government unemployment benefit as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to apply to defer their electricity bills.

For as long as affected customers are receiving the Government unemployment benefit, they may elect to defer their BELCO bills and agree a payment plan. For bills that have been deferred in accordance with this programme, there will be no late fees applied.

A spokesman said: “During these unprecedented times for Bermuda, we want to work to ease the financial burden on our customers. We will be introducing a new payment deferral programme by which customers who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and have been approved to receive the Bermuda Government’s unemployment benefit can apply for deferment of their BELCO bills to a later date. We will work with customers who defer their bills in accordance with this programme to establish a payment plan that will commence when they are able to return to work and no longer require the unemployment benefit and continue for a period of six months. We will not charge any late fees on outstanding payments. Details of how customers can apply for the bill deferment programme will be announced soon.”

• Press release from Belco