The arrivals duty-free store at LF Wade International Airport is to close temporarily and no full-time staff will be laid off.

Owner Bermuda Duty Free Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gosling Brothers Ltd, said it made the decision to safeguard the health of employees in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

Charles Gosling, managing director, said: “Bermuda Duty Free continues to assess the position of the airlines in terms of incoming and outgoing flights. At present, US departures and international departures are operating in accordance with the flight schedule. The closure of the arrivals store will not cause any layoff of full-time staff.”

Mr Gosling said the company opened the duty-free shops at the airport more than 20 years ago.

He added: “We have experienced the upheaval from 9/11, the ban on liquids and gels, Hurricane Fabian and numerous other storms.

“This will be the first time in our operating history where we have had to close a store while the LF Wade remains open. We thank [airport operators] Skyport for their support and look forward to the day we can reopen and welcome our visitors and fellow Bermudians home.”