The Canary Islands Government has already defined the rules that will govern the use of the mandatory Covid certificate that it intends to impose on events and spaces for public use, and that must now receive judicial endorsement. However, Lanzarote will be excluded, at least for the moment, whatever the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands decides. And it is that the regional Executive has announced that the intention is to make it mandatory only on the islands that are at level 3 or 4 of health alert, which currently affects Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.
During the press conference after the extraordinary Governing Council held this Monday, the Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Antonio Olivera, explained that this Tuesday they will send the proposal to the TSJC, prepared by the Ministry of Health after the agreement adopted last week.
The intention is that on islands at high or very high risk, the certificate will be required in places of public use to all those over 12 years and 3 months, to “guarantee that they have already had access to the full vaccination schedule.”
As for the areas that would be affected, a total of 10 have been defined, although there will be exceptions. The first is hospitality and restaurants, where the certificate would have to be required -if the TSJC endorses it- whenever the bar or restaurant has a capacity of more than 30 people. Otherwise, they would be exempt.
The same rule will apply in nightlife venues, if they have an authorized capacity of more than 30 people. However, if the establishment allows the consumption of food, in this case the Covid certificate should be required, regardless of the capacity that the premises has in its opening license.
It is also intended to request the Covid certificate, under the same terms as in nightlife, in establishments and spaces dedicated to recreational and gambling activities.
Certificate in cinemas, concerts and gyms
The rule, if approved, will also imply requiring that certificate in events and celebrations, such as concerts and music festivals, with attendance of more than 500 people (and in all cases, whatever the capacity, if food consumption is allowed).
It would also govern in sporting events with attendance of more than 500 people, or in any in which it is allowed to eat and drink, as in public shows.
In cultural activities, such as cinemas, auditoriums or theaters, they intend to make the Covid certificate mandatory in all those that have a capacity of more than 50 people, or in any if it is allowed to eat or drink.
The rule would also apply in gyms and similar equipment, in this case without exceptions.
Limitation of access in health and social health centers
Similarly, it is also intended to prohibit the access of companions to health establishments and centers if they do not present the Covid certificate. Thus, it would be required to people who visit hospitalized patients or those who intend to accompany a user to a consultation or a test. In this case, the exception will apply when there are “special circumstances”, such as accompanying a minor or a person with a disability.
Finally, it is also intended to require the Covid certificate to people who want to visit social health centers, such as residences for the elderly or day centers.
The Covid certificate implies proving the complete vaccination schedule, having passed the disease less than half a year ago or having a negative result of a test performed a maximum of 48 hours before, without being able to use the self-diagnosis tests that are sold in pharmacies.
Once the proposal is sent to the TSJC, it has three days to rule. From there, in case it is approved, it would be published in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands and from that moment it would come into force, as Antonio Olivera explained.
"Worrying evolution" and "short-term decisions"
“The increase in cases in the Canary Islands is of great concern to the Government. We are going to permanently monitor the pandemic, being prepared to make decisions”, said the Deputy Minister, pointing out that they are also waiting for what may be decided next Wednesday, when the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has called a meeting with the presidents of all the communities.
For the moment, as they had already advanced, what the Canarian Government has approved this Monday has been to reduce restrictions during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on the islands that are at alert level 2 and 3. Despite the rules that govern in those levels, those two days will allow meetings of up to 10 people as long as it is “in the family environment”, that is, not in restaurants.
Initially it had been announced that this exception would also be approved for New Year's Eve and New Year, but finally the Canarian Government has decided to rule for now only on the most immediate dates. “The evolution of the pandemic is taking a very worrying turn in recent days and very short-term decisions have to be made”, said the Deputy Minister regarding the rest of the key dates of Christmas.
In addition, he has reiterated the need to act “responsibly” in these meetings, “regardless of the number of people who meet”, maintaining security measures.