A series of signs were erected on East Broadway yesterday morning in protest over new Covid requirements, set to come into effect later yesterday.

The signs together read: “Unite Bermuda. Do not comply. SafeKey is SlaveKey”.

Eugene Dean of the pressure group Bermuda Freedom Alliance said the signs were created to protest the new regulations, which he said would deal another blow to already hard-hit businesses such as restaurants and gyms.

Mr Dean said: “At many of the gym, clients are calling in and cancelling their memberships. At restaurants, people are calling in and cancelling reservations and brunches. This is happening at very high volume.

“The businesses are concerned that, whether they comply or not, it is death to their business. The only chance they have is to stand and do whatever they can to support their customer base.”

Under new public safety regulations due to come into force today, a SafeKey QR code will be required for anyone attending indoor public spaces where masks are permitted to be removed.

Mr Dean said that the majority of the public are comfortable with the work the restaurants and gyms have already done to ensure safety, but many will cancel their plans because of the Government requirement for SafeKey.

He added: “People are not concerned about engaging with the businesses, people are concerned about complying with the law.

“What is emerging is a lot of businesses coming together who want to make a stand.

“The purpose of the signs is to encourage the public to support local businesses. They are open, they want to do business and to serve you. We need your support in order to survive.”