Online watch parties over the Covid-19 shelter-in-place regulations have been a big hit, the DJ behind the events said yesterday.

Nadanja Bailey said the praise for his Backyard Corona Party musicfests had been “bananas”.

He added: “People are actually loving it. I’m pretty much catering to one type of audience.

“So if you like old school music, whether it’s Motown, to reggae, to dance, or soca, that’s what I’m doing. Every Sunday it’s going to be different.”

The 43-year-old entertainer has held three weekend watch parties since the shelter-in-place rules kicked in. The events run for three hours on Sunday afternoons. Mr Bailey said that the initial inspiration for the parties was as a way for him to keep his DJ skills sharp and that each set opened and closed with a gospel song.

He explained: “It’s a party that starts off on an inspirational foot and I end it on an inspirational foot.”

Mr Bailey said that he also made sure to shout out and thank Bermuda’s essential workers at least twice each set.

He added that he also tried to promote a safety message during each set.

Mr Bailey said: “One of us still can get infected — and I don’t want that. I want us to stay safe. Keep that social-distancing. Don’t disregard it.”

Mr Bailey added that hundreds of people had tuned in for each event, but that it was not just people online who could enjoy the parties.

He explained: “I’m not in my house — I’m actually in my backyard playing music. I am one of those DJs that’s actually playing music loud for the whole neighbourhood to hear.”

Mr Bailey said that the response from his neighbourhood had been amazing.

He added: “My neighbours are loving it. I can see them dancing on their porch.

“I get the messages from them — they say ‘keep it going’.”

David Burt, the Premier, said last night that the shelter-in-place rules will be relaxed from Saturday.

However, Mr Bailey pledged that his online party would go ahead this weekend regardless.

He explained: “People have requested. The party isn’t even mine any more — the people have claimed it. If there’s a demand for it, I’ll definitely keep it going.”

• To be a part of Nadanja Bailey’s Backyard Corona Party, “like” or follow his personal page on Facebook