The new decree-law published in the BOC yesterday allows the re-opening of nightlife venues to the public after a year of being closed. Many nightclubs, fun pubs and discos closed in March 2020 but reopened in July after the state of alarm, only to be closed again by the health authorities in August of last year, as the second wave of the virus hit the Canary Islands.
However, the new decree, which takes into account the evolution of the pandemic and the advancement of the vaccination campaign, allows them to re-open, but with similar restrictions as the hospitality industry.
Venues can re-open in all levels 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.
Separate to these, there are general regulations that cover all levels, including:
- Spacing of tables must be at least 2 metres from the back of chairs to where the next person is sitting.
- Only table service is permitted, no bar service.
- Dancefloors must be taped off or occupied with tables and chairs as no dancing is permitted.
- Masks must be worn at all times by staff whether behind the bar or serving people, and by clients except when sat down at their table.
- Smoking is not permitted on the premises, including terraces.
- Venue must collect data of all clients for the Ministry of Health and keep it for a month in case of an outbreak and track and trace.
One of the grey areas is regarding a DJ. There is no mention of whether or not a DJ is allowed, however, he is usually in a designated area more than 2 metres from members of the public, with no one else allowed in that area. What we do know is though, that only ambient background music is permitted and not anything encourages people to dance or interact.
The last thing that is important to highlight, is that the new decree-law 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.
