Public Health Amendment Act
Passed
Simplified for You
What this bill does
This bill gives Bermuda's Health Minister new power to close public places like schools, churches, cinemas, and hotels to prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases. Previously, the Minister could only close these places after a disease was already spreading - now they can act earlier if the Chief Medical Officer believes there's an immediate risk of an outbreak.
If Passed (Voted Yes)
The Health Minister can order closure of schools, churches, cinemas, hotels and other public gathering places before a disease outbreak actually happens, based on the Chief Medical Officer's assessment of immediate risk
Business owners and managers of these places must immediately comply with closure orders and keep their premises closed until the Minister says they can reopen
Government has stronger tools to prevent disease outbreaks rather than just responding after they've started
If Rejected (Voted No)
The Health Minister can only close public places after a communicable disease is already present and spreading in Bermuda
No early intervention powers - government must wait until an outbreak is actually happening before taking action
Current disease prevention measures remain more limited and reactive
Who It Affects
This affects all Bermudians who visit or work at public gathering places like schools, churches, cinemas, and hotels. Business owners and managers of these establishments are directly impacted as they would be legally required to comply with any closure orders from the Health Minister.
Vote counts are not published.
The Bermuda Parliament does not publicly record individual vote counts or how each member voted.
Write to your MP about this
Related Bill
Public Health Amendment Act
Download bill PDF