These are the updated measures that are in force in the Canary Islands to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, following yesterday’s decision by the Governing Council to raise the alert levels in Fuerteventura (from 2 to 3), and La Palma (from 1 to 2). The Canary Islands are governed by a system of four alert levels, calculated from various epidemiological indicators and which have their equivalence in a code of traffic lights.
This is the current status for each of the islands:
Level 1, green: Lanzarote, La Graciosa, La Gomera and El Hierro.
Level 2, amber: Gran Canaria and La Palma.
Level 3, red: Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
Level 4, brown: no island.
Here are the current restrictions and regulations:
Perimeter closures:
There is no perimeter closure in force in the islands, but international travellers require full vaccination or a PCR test to enter the islands, and national travellers/residents need full vaccination or an antigen test with a negative result carried out in the 72 hours prior to arriving on the islands. Those citizens who have recovered from Covid are exempt from presenting a negative diagnostic test.
Curfew:
The Higher Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) has rejected the request of the regional government to impose a night curfew from 00.30h to 06.00 hours on the islands in level 3 and, which at the moment is Tenerife and Fuerteventura.
The request had the support of the Prosecutor's Office, so the Government has decided to appeal to the Supreme Court in Spain for it to be authorized. The Canary Islands is the first region of Spain to do this.
On the islands in alert 3, those parks, squares, beaches or public spaces where it is expected that large gatherings could take place, will be closed from 8pm to 6am.
Group sizes:
There is a limit, validated by the TSJC, for the number of people meeting both in public and private spaces:
10 people, on islands in Level 1.
6 people, on islands in Level 2.
4 people, on islands in Level 3.
2 people, on islands in Level 4.
In all four cases, this limit can be exceeded if those gathered are living together, e.g. a family of 2 adults with 3 children etc.
In commerce, the capacity for retail businesses is 50%, in Level 1; 33% in Level 2; and 25% in Levels 3 and 4.
In shopping centres, the authorized capacity is 33% in Levels 1 and 2, and 25% in Levels 3 and 4 (as of July 8th).
In places of worship, the capacity is 75% on islands on Level 1, 50% on Level 2 and 33% on Level s 3 and 4.
In open-air wakes and burials, a maximum of 20 people is authorized at all alert levels, which is reduced to 10 people indoors.
In gyms and indoor sports facilities, the capacity is set at 75% in Level 1, 50% in Level 2, and 33% in Level 3. In Level 4 activity is prohibited indoors.
Sports competitions: spectators are only allowed on the islands in Level 1 with a maximum capacity of 50%, and on the islands in Level 2with 25%, provided that 1.5 metres social distancing can be observed and spectators are seated.
Hospitality and commerce:
The closing time for the hospitality industry is midnight for the islands in Level 1, 2 and 3, but must close at 6:00pm if in Level 4.
Initially, customers were only authorized inside bars and restaurants at alert Levels 1 with a maximum capacity of 75%, and Level 2 with 50%.
However, after a ruling by the TSJC that suspended the restrictions on the hospitality industry in Tenerife, the Government has allowed that in the islands in Level 3, interiors can be used with a maximum capacity of 40%, which can be increased to 50 % if there are at least 10% of the clients fully vaccinated.
For islands on Level 4, the same rules apply as for those of level 3, except for closing time.
Use of terraces is authorized at all levels, with these limits: 100% capacity and 10 guests per table Level 1; 75% capacity and 6 guests per table Level 2; 50% capacity and 4 people per table Levels 3 and 4.
Bars and Restaurants must keep a record of customers who eat or drink inside, with full name, NIE/passport number, date and time of service, to facilitate the follow-up of possible contacts in case of an outbreak of Covid-19.
The regulation of indoor dining rooms has an exception for hotels. Hotel dining rooms can be used at all alert levels, with these limits: 75% and a maximum of 10 people per table in Level 1; 50% and 6 people in Level 2; and 33% and 4 people in Levels 3 and 4.
Nightlife:
Nightclubs, discotheques, and nightlife venues can open in the Canary Islands until 2.00am, but only on the islands at alert level 1 with these limits: 100% capacity and tables of up to 10 people on the terraces, and 50% capacity and tables for up to 4 people inside.
It is mandatory to keep a customer record, the consumption of drinks must always be done at the table and dance floors cannot be used.
From this Thursday, it is forbidden to sell alcohol in shops from 8:00pm on those islands in Level 3 or 4
