HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Bermuda Premier David Burt has announced a four-phase withdrawal from lockdown in the face of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, starting this weekend, but schools and the international airport are likely to remain shut until at least June.

He told a government press briefing on Wednesday night that several weeks of regulations had “not been easy for any of us”.

But although Burt hinted at the initial phases lasting two or three weeks at a minimum, he said the government would not impose a timeframe for easing constraints.

“We are going to look based upon what the conditions are on the ground,” he said, telling the public: “Don’t rip it.”

Burt’s comments came as Health Minister Kim Wilson announced that a single positive COVID-19 case was confirmed in 636 test results received between Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the island’s total to 111. Six people have died.

Wilson said more than 2,100 tests had so far been completed. Among those tested on Wednesday were Governor John Rankin and National Security Minister Wayne Caines.

Burt said Saturday at 6:00 am would mark the end of shelter-in-place restrictions after a decision was made at a marathon Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

However, he appealed to the public to wear masks and maintain strict social distancing to avoid the risk of spread of the coronavirus.

A 10:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew will be in force and public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people.

Phase one, which will start on Saturday after four weeks of lockdown, will include retailers being allowed to open between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm, but only curbside service or home delivery will be permitted.

Construction, mechanical and landscape services will be allowed to operate with social distancing, while wholesalers will be allowed to deliver goods. Funerals will still only have a maximum of 10 mourners.

There will be limited public transport from Monday, while parks and beaches will reopen, with golf courses resuming play, although club facilities must stay shuttered.

Burt said there would be three further stages of eased restrictions. Expansion of services would be phase two, which would permit reopening of retail floor space and limited operation of personal services such as barbers.

Phase three would see schools reopen and a return to normal public transport. It would also mean the end of mandatory working from home.

Phase four will mean “full reopening” of personal services such as spas and the return of dining in restaurants, as well as clubs and bars. The number of people at public gatherings would be upped to 50.

Burt said there was also the possibility of a return of commercial flights to the island at that stage. The airport closed on March 20 to regular traffic although a number of charter flights from Britain and the United States have been allowed in to bring back residents stranded abroad.

Wilson said COVID-19 tests of residents and staff at the island’s 21 nursing homes will be completed by mid-May.

The health minister reported that five homes had already been tested, including the two that have had outbreaks, as part of a “very robust schedule for testing”.

She added that testing at the other 16 was expected to be carried out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with retesting of some homes which have already been screened.

That includes the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence in Devonshire parish, which has had 27 COVID-19 cases linked to it. The island’s largest care home, Westmeath Residential and Nursing Home in Pembroke parish, has had 13 confirmed cases. Each of those homes has had one death.