A food festival has had to postpone one of its signature events due to the spike in Covid-19 cases.

Bermudiana Road was due to be closed for the Bermudiana Live event - an outdoor dining experience promoting restaurants and eateries along Bermudiana Road featuring live local entertainment.

And the Festival’s Easter Sunday Brunch event has also had to be postponed indefinitely, according to a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Tourism Authority which is organizing the annual Alfresco Dining Festival.

They are among a number of events that the BTA has been forced to postpone or cancel due to the increase in Covid infections – a tourism webinar has been pushed back and events for the Catamaran and Yacht Week have also been cancelled.

Glenn Jones, BTA Interim CEO and chief experience officer said: “A healthy community is the surest way to a successful tourism recovery.

“We will pause in-person BTA-curated events temporarily, until the health situation improves. As protocols loosen over time, we’ll return to our successful blueprint for gathering controlled group sizes to deliver high quality tourism experiences.

“In the meantime, BTA sales and marketing activity, experience development, and event planning will not pause – this work is too important to the tourism recovery and the livelihoods of many.”

The Festival, which runs from March 25 – April 3, will still take place with special lunch, brunch, teatime, and dinner options on offer at 18 restaurants around the island with outdoor seating.

A BTA spokeswoman said: “Adjustments include recently announced restaurant guidelines requiring dining establishments limit groups to six at each table. Organisers have authorised refunds to those who have purchased tickets to the Easter Saturday Brunch event at the Unfinished Church.

“Although the two curated experiences have been put on hold, the BTA encourages diners to embrace the participants of the Alfresco Dining Festival while adhering to the Covid-19 health guidelines including reduced reservation head count.”

A Tourism Experiences Webinar, due to take place today, to discuss the spring and summer calendar of events, has been postponed until Monday, April 5.

And some events during the Catamaran and Yacht Week, which was due to start April 8, have also been cancelled: the Catamaran Flotilla and Marina Nights on April 9, Marina Nights, a Catamaran Rally and Float Up Movie, on April 10, a Breakfast & Bubbles event on April 11 and a Catamaran Dinner Cruise, on April 15.