The new decree-law published in the BOC yesterday allows bars to host Karaoke again in all levels, although there are stipulations that must be adhered to for this to be possible. The main one, which people are already up in arms about, is that all singers MUST wear masks when doing their songs, regardless of distancing to another person, to prevent the spread of the virus via micro droplets that are spat on to the microphone during use.
Anyone who works in the entertainment industry and uses a microphone will know that germs can be spread via a microphone, not just from singing but also from talking, e.g. on radio, and that colds can be caught from multi-use, which is why many performers have their own microphone or microphone cover.
This is why this provision has been put in place in the document published in the BOC, which says: “participants must wear a mask during their intervention (singing), and the microphone they use must be sanitized before use by each person. Also, a safety distance of at least 2 metres must be maintained between the participants, and between them and the public watching.”
The distancing means that there must be 2 metres distancing between the host and the singer, only one singer is allowed (no duos or groups), and the performance area, i.e. stage, must be at least 2 metres from the nearest members of the audience watching.
Although Karaoke is allowed back at all levels, the closing times and capacities for bars are governed by the level the island is in as follows:
Level 1 (Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro): 100% capacity on terraces, 75% indoors, maximum group sizes of 12, closing time of 3am.
Level 2: 75% capacity on terraces, 50% indoors, maximum group sizes of 8, closing time of 2am.
Level 3 (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura): 75% capacity on terraces, 40% indoors, maximum group sizes of 6, closing time of 1am.
Level 4: 75% capacity on terraces, 25% indoors, maximum group sizes of 6, closing time of 1am.
In addition all other general health regulations are in place regarding spacing, use of masks, etc, and it is important to remember that the new decree empowers the authorities to enter and close a venue for non-compliance of any of the ‘health’ regulations, in a much easier way than before, with the current fine and sanction system also in place… so be warned!
