The developer of a luxury South Shore hotel has thrown his support behind the suspension of construction under health restrictions last week.

Construction at the Azura resort came to a halt a week ago under the stay-at-home order to contain the present outbreak of Covid-19.

Contractors questioned why the building at one hotel site went on hold while the St Regis resort in St George’s was given an exemption.

Permission for the St Regis was pulled after two days, with Renée Ming, the national security minister, saying it had been granted in error.

Both hotels expect to finish construction next month.

A spokeswoman for Hotelco, the St Regis developer, declined to comment on the impact of having the exemption revoked.

John Bush, the developer at the Azura, said the property was “nearing completion of a new resort component, Edgewater, comprising eight hotel residences representing an additional 20 potential hotel keys.”

He added: “This building is on schedule for completion in May 2021. A minor, but in our view appropriate, delay has been incurred due to the recent Covid work restrictions.”

Mr Bush said Azura and its developers “feel that the Government of Bermuda has done an excellent job of managing the Covid-19 crisis generally”.

“The positive image of Bermuda over the past 14-plus months has actually brought incremental investment to the Azura project from new hotel residence purchasers and hotel guests seeking a haven of beauty, quality, and safety.

“Obviously, when the Government issued the recent restrictions Azura and all contractors working on the project complied fully.”

Mr Bush said construction work at the resort was on schedule to resume today.

The move was in line with the permitted activities announced on Friday by David Burt, the Premier.

Mr Bush added: “We support our colleagues in the resort development business working on other Bermuda projects in their hopes of advancing tourism and the Bermuda economy.

“St Regis Bermuda is being developed by a passionate team that is making an enormous commitment to Bermuda. We support them and wish them every success.”