The Government of the Canary Islands is going to propose to the Government of Spain a series of complementary measures for the protection of the public health of residents in the islands in terms of mobility and transport during the state of alarm, so a significant limitation of entry into the Archipelago will be requested, both by air and sea, of passengers residing in other areas of Spain.
Among other things, the Executive intends to eliminate almost one hundred daily connections between the islands and the Peninsula, going from the current 115 to a total of 17. In the case of Lanzarote, this means maintaining only one daily round trip flight with Madrid and another with Barcelona. For their part, Fuerteventura and La Palma would retain a daily connection with Madrid; and Tenerife and Gran Canaria two with Madrid, two with Barcelona, one with Bilbao and one with Seville.
These measures will be applicable from 00:00 hours on March 17 and until they are revoked or modified. However, the proposal contemplates that departures of flights from the airports of the Canary Islands be allowed without restrictions to facilitate the return of tourists and foreign residents to their places of origin.
According to the Ministry, "the measures that are intended to be implemented are considered essential since practically all infections in the islands are due to imported cases, with the degree of affectation of each of the islands being different." Therefore, they emphasize that "it is necessary to articulate specific measures that allow taking advantage of the opportunity and ease that the characteristics of insularity offer for the control of the entry of the virus into this territory and its spread among the different islands."
This proposal by Councilor Sebastián Franquis to the President of the Canary Islands has been consulted with the President's Advisory Council, with representatives of the Federation of Municipalities and Islands, as well as with representatives of the social and economic sectors, having obtained the unanimous consensus of all of them.
Measures that are proposed
In a statement, the Government details the proposed measures, aimed at restricting access to the islands, which will be limited to the following circumstances; guaranteeing the supply of goods and services to the population, assistance to centers, services and health establishments, travel to the workplace to carry out their work, professional or business services, return to the place of habitual residence, assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people and due to force majeure or situation of need.
In addition, airlines will be required to collect a responsible declaration from passengers regarding the reason for the trip, and to keep it available to the autonomous authorities. On the other hand, flights must go to 50% of their capacity, with the exception of State aircraft, exclusively cargo flights, positional, humanitarian, medical or emergency flights.
The temperature will be taken of all passengers from the peninsular territory
The proposal also establishes that the temperature be taken of all passengers from the peninsular territory by air, reporting to the health authorities in case fever is detected.
Entry and exit to the ports of the Canary Islands is also prohibited to passenger ro-ro ships and passenger ships that provide regular line service, with passengers on board, from or to outside the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, whether it is the rest of the Spanish territory or any foreign country that does not have its access to the Spanish territory restricted, with the exception of the drivers of the tractor units of the rolling stock. This prohibition will not apply to State ships, ships transporting cargo exclusively or ships carrying out navigations for humanitarian, medical or emergency purposes.
Similarly, the circulation of recreational boats, private or charter of any origin, both national or from third countries, in the scope of the Canary Islands is prohibited.
Exceptionally and duly justified, the prohibitions on ships or flights may be lifted, through a specific authorization from the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, including the possibility of flights for the return to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands of residents in it. In those cases, according to the Executive, "all necessary health control measures will be adopted to prevent them from posing a risk to the population of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands."
