Two Bermudian sisters are urging residents to unite in an island-wide, celebration from the comfort and safety of their homes on New Year’s Eve.

Kathi and Harmony DeCouto said that while Covid-19 restrictions have limited the number of people who can gather, there is no reason residents can not celebrate in unison from outside their homes.

They are attempting to organise a flight of drones over the island to capture the excitement on camera.

The Ministry of National Security has given permission for the event to go ahead.

Kathi DeCouto said: “Inside of a commitment to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate this ’interesting’ year for Bermuda and its people, my sister and I came up with a fun idea for the whole island to say goodbye to 2020 and cheer in 2021 together.

"Our vision is that a united Bermuda takes a moment to step outside on New Year’s Eve, to countdown and cheer Happy New Year Bermuda Together.“

The sisters are sending out the following message on Facebook in the hope that word will spread around the island before midnight on Thursday night.

“Picture this … It's New Year's Eve … 11:57pm – everyone island-wide, is standing outside of their homes, (where y'all will be, as we are in curfew).

“Drones are flying above filming the joy.

“At 11:59pm and 50 seconds, all together, we say goodbye to 2020 as we countdown 10 … 9 … 8 … 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 and at the drop of midnight, together, we cheer in the New Year with our beautiful united voices, boat horns bermp-bermping, lights-a-flashing, singing our hearts out – Happy New Year Bermuda!

“What an extraordinary way to complete 2020 and create 2021 with happiness, appreciation, community spirit and love for our island and all the people of Bermuda!

“Come on Bermuda! This works when everybody shares.”

Lyndon Raynor, police Sergeant and National Events Coordinator for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Unit under the Ministry of National Security, said in an e-mail to Ms DeCouto: “There are no objections to your plan as it does not contravene the Public Health Regulations.”

However, Mr Raynor reminded the DeCouto sisters of drone operation regulations recommending they visit the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority website https://www.bcaa.bm/recreational-drone-operations for information.