Some businesses thought to be eligible to reopen yesterday after Covid-19 regulations were relaxed were unable to do so because they still had to get government permission.

A spokeswoman for Hendy’s Laundromat on Union Street, Pembroke, said staff had been deluged with calls since the Government announced it would be allowed to reopen under strict conditions, including having only one customer at a time on the premises.

However, she said yesterday that the business had not yet been given the go-ahead by the national security ministry.

She said: “We have sent in our application to the minister about how we would like things to go, but we have not heard back yet.”

She said that the laundry wanted to have multiple appointments for the same time slots, but still limit the number of people in the building to one, with each customer putting their washing in a machine and then waiting outside to ensure social-distancing.

She said: “If we are only allowed to have one person for a two-hour period, then that’s just not worth it for us because we still have to pay for gas, electricity, water and staff.”

Some, however, were able to take customers for the first time in two weeks.

Elroy’s Laundromat on Berkeley Road, also in Pembroke, opened for its regular hours, but only a handful of customers opted to do their own laundry.

A staff member said: “We have mainly just had drop-offs so far.

“We had a couple customers come in to do their own laundry this morning but, because it’s one at a time, a lot of people decided they would just drop off and pick up their stuff later.”

Especially For You Laundry in St David’s said yesterday afternoon that business was slow.

A spokesman explained that the business mostly handled commercial work, but it had received some calls from members of the public.

He said: “We really haven’t advertised, but I think that’s going to change this week.

“With a lot of the laundromats now, people have to make appointments, whereas we can pick it up and then drop it off for people.”

Warwick Laundromat has also reopened and a spokesman said the business will run from 9am to 5pm with only one customer at a time allowed inside.

He added: “Customers will need to call 236-5403 to schedule an appointment.

“The customer simply leaves their name, telephone number and the day and time they would like to use the laundromat and we will try to accommodate them as best as possible.”

The Government has also exempted some other business sectors, also with “significant restrictions”. Businesses eligible to apply to be a “permitted business” include shipping and freight companies, pet shops, hardware stores and plant nurseries.

Customers will be able to collect prepaid goods on days based on their surnames.

People with surnames from A and F can collect goods on Mondays, those with a last name from G to Q can pick up on Tuesdays and those with a surnames from R to Z can collect items on Wednesdays.

The eased restrictions also permitted roadside sales from licensed fishermen and registered commercial farmers.

Gorham’s hardware store in Pembroke said on Facebook that the business would be able to serve customers based on their surnames from today as they had not been able to get permission in time to open yesterday.

A spokesman said customers could place orders online or by phone and then pick them up outside the St John’s Road store.

Sousa’s Gardens will also open for kerbside pickups today; customers can place orders by e-mail to sousasgardens@slm.bm.

Jeff Sousa, the president of the business, said: “We have advertised our products and prices on our Sousa’s Gardens Facebook and Instagram pages.”

Mr Sousa added: “In my 44 years in the industry, I have never seen the desire locally to grow your own fruits and vegetables like now.

“We hope it continues as we are blessed in Bermuda to be able to cultivate vegetable gardens all year round.”