The St George’s Marine Expo has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation has announced.

The fifth annual event was to have taken place on April 26.

Ray Lambert, of the BEDC, said the decision was made “in the best interest of public safety”.

He added: “While we were hopeful that we could still host the Expo this year, we knew that this pandemic could impact the event being held.

“Although the Expo is being cancelled this year, we are looking forward to coming back bigger and better in 2021. Once we know that our country and community is safe there will be a reason to celebrate and we will do just that when we host the next Marine Expo.

“The additional time for planning will give us the ability to reach more vendors and sponsors to ensure that we continue to attract thousands of people to St George’s to celebrate Bermuda’s great maritime history.”

The BEDC said most of its resources have been reallocated to provide support for businesses that will be impacted by Covid-19.

The organisation said that some of the businesses that would have participated in the Expo will be affected and the BEDC is “hoping to be able to provide some relief with amended financial products and support”.

Information about those products can be found on the organisation’s website at www.bedc.bm, it said.

For more information about the Expo, contact Dennis Carter at dcarter@bedc.bm