The three questions we are being asked every day by hundreds of worried people are: Can I come on holiday? What are the restrictions? Should I come on holiday? Our answers are always the same. We will give you facts and ultimately the decision is yours, but when you look at them, you have to agree there are far more positives than negatives! So let’s address these three questions.
Can I come on holiday?
95.4% of people who visit the Canarian Weekly website are from the UK and Europe, so let’s concentrate on those locations. If you want to come on holiday from the UK, you must be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination to enter all of Spain including the Canary Islands.
This is where the rules are harsh on families with teenagers as it applies to anyone over 12, and in the UK vaccination schedules for teenagers makes it impossible for them to fulfil this requirement, and thousands have had to cancel or re-schedule their trips.
Also, Spain has made it clear that currently non-vaccinated people cannot come into the country. This is because, although we all know that vaccinated people can spread the virus aswell, it’s to prevent hospital pressure (which is already high) from international travellers, as three times as many unvaccinated end up ill in hospital than vaccinated people.
Travelling from within the EU is much easier, you just need to download your Covid Certificate for proof of vaccination or having had a negative Covid test, and get on a plane.
So, to answer the question, yes, as long as you are fully vaccinated and fill in the Spanish locator form, you can come on holiday to any of the Canary Islands.
What are the restrictions in the islands?
Firstly there are the general restrictions, i.e. for the use of masks, which are that you must wear one at all times in public indoors or outdoors, except when sitting in a bar or restaurant eating or drinking, when on a sunbed by the pool or on the beach, or when swimming. There are other exceptions but those are the main ones that affect holidaymakers, and yes, you can get fined for not wearing one (100€ for first time).
Also, social distancing rules apply, hand hygiene, if you are a smoker you can’t smoke on bar or restaurant terraces you have to go off their premises, and dancing is not allowed as it invariably breaks social distancing rules.
In addition, the islands can be in different alert Levels, which also have different restrictions based on capacities, group sizes, and closing times for hospitality, as well as for shops, gyms, cinemas etc.
Looking at the main tourist activities, how will it affect you?
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura are currently in Level 3 (on a scale of 1-4) due to the epidemiological situation and hospital pressure, however, nearly all bars and restaurants are open, beaches are open, boat trips and night-time excursions are operating, and certainly in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, water parks and animal parks are open, all be it with reduced capacities.
In these islands, a maximum of 6 can sit together (unless co-habitants) so if there is more of you in your group, you may have to sit over two tables. You will find in many places you need to book your favourite restaurant rather than just turn up, as they are operating on a smaller number of tables.
Entertainment is still going on in bars, and closing time is 2am, so to be honest there’s no real change for most of the holidaymakers that come at this time of year!
Lanzarote is in Level 1, which basically means that 12 of you can sit together until 3am, but the rest applies, you’ll still have to put your mask on to go to the toilets.
Please remember that level changes can happen all the time, so consult our website regularly as we will keep you posted.
Should I come on holiday?
Ultimately it is up to you, but looking at the above, why not?
We all know that restrictions can change, however, the UK have said all along that from their side they want to let people travel. Spain knows how important British tourists are to the country, but have implemented their restriction for the reasons stated.
The word curfew is being thrown around, but has been rejected up to now, but if it did come in means you have to stay in your hotel from 1am to 6am, not your hotel room, your hotel, the bar will still be open, or you can still have a drink on your apartment balcony like you always do.
Should you come on holiday... well, thousands still are, and yes, you deserve one. Oh and by the way, check out the weather, the sun is shining!
