Lanzarote and La Graciosa will enter alert level 4 this Saturday, as approved this Thursday by the Governing Council. As stated in the epidemiological report of the General Directorate of Public Health updated this Thursday, January 21, in Lanzarote the IA at 7 days has become 25 times more in just over 3 weeks. Since January 8, it has exceeded the threshold of what is considered a "very high risk" in that transmission indicator.
Given the evolution of the indicators and the combination of the result of the indicators for risk assessment, it is considered that the island of Lanzarote must increase its alert level to level 4. This decision is based on the report issued by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) dated today, which reflects that, according to the IA indicators, the traceability of the virus and the data on healthcare capacity, the Government of the Canary Islands must raise Lanzarote and La Graciosa to alert level 4 (brown traffic light).
Measures and restrictions at alert level 4
Capacity between non-cohabitants in public and private spaces. At alert level 4, the permanence of people in both public and private spaces, whether indoors or outdoors, is limited to cohabiting people, except in hotels and restaurants, respecting the maximum number of four users per table. If the group is made up of cohabitants and non-cohabitants, the maximum number of people established, which is 2, will not be exceeded.
Closing restriction at 18.00 in all activities, services or establishments, except for industrial activity and wholesale trade; retail trade of food, beverages, products and essential goods; health centers and services, university centers, teaching and educational centers, including infant schools, language academies and educational reinforcement of subjects included in regulated education curricula, conservatories and music schools; professional services, insurance services, and domestic workers; essential public services; social and socio-health services; veterinary centers or clinics; commercial establishments dedicated to the sale of fuels for automobiles; vehicle rental and technical vehicle inspection stations; home delivery services; soup kitchens; funeral and wake services; outdoor sports centers for individual sports practice; centers for the execution of judicial measures and criminal mediation services for minors and family meeting points; restaurants and cafeterias for home delivery and collection at the premises; catering establishments integrated in tourist accommodation establishments exclusively for the use of their clients, health centers, establishments with social dining services and work centers intended for their workers and education centers.
The restriction on the entry and exit of people in Lanzarote remains in place, except for justified cause that occurs for any of the reasons contemplated in article 6 of Royal Decree-Law 926/2020, of October 25. This measure could be complemented with limitations that may be established in territorial areas smaller than the island depending on the epidemiological situation.
The limitation of the freedom of movement of people at night continues to be established as until now, that is, between 22.00 and 6.00 hours on all days. These limitations do not affect the performance of essential activities included in article 5 of Royal Decree-Law 926/2020, of October 25, such as the acquisition of medicines and health products in pharmacies; assistance to centers, services and health establishments; assistance to veterinary care centers for emergency reasons; compliance with labor, professional, business, institutional or legal obligations, and assistance and care of domestic animals or on livestock farms, among others.
General measures for the workplace. The provision of services will be carried out, preferably, electronically in those cases in which it is possible or establishing shifts that limit as much as possible the contact between workers. Only essential work meetings will be allowed, always guaranteeing the use of masks, interpersonal distance and a capacity of 33%.
Specific measures for the hotel business, restaurants and terraces, bars and cafeterias. At alert level 4, 50% of the authorized capacity on outdoor terraces may not be exceeded, and service in indoor areas is prohibited. The maximum occupancy per table will be four people and consumption at the bar is prohibited. The buffet or self-service may not be provided in indoor spaces. The complete closure of establishments is established before 18.00 hours. The collection service may be provided at the premises and home delivery until 22.00 hours.
Sports practice. Outdoors, only individual sports are allowed and those in which the interpersonal safety distance of 2 meters can be maintained permanently. Team sports and those practices and exercises in which this distance cannot be guaranteed may not be practiced. The practice of physical and sports activity in indoor areas of sports facilities and centers is prohibited. During the validity of alert level 4, any type of physical activity or non-professional sports practice in which the interpersonal distance of 2 meters cannot be maintained at all times is prohibited, including team sports, although training and physical activity may be carried out in which this distance is guaranteed.
Sporting events. Professional events may be held and, in the case of non-professional events, only those in which athletes or players can maintain a safety distance of two meters permanently. In no case is the attendance of the public allowed, except in the case of accompanying minors.
Tourist guide activity. These activities will be carried out in groups with a maximum of 4 people, without exceeding a total number of 12 people. In the case of outdoor activities in which the interpersonal safety distance between the different groups can be guaranteed permanently, up to a maximum of 20 people is allowed.
Active tourism activities. They will be carried out in cohabitation groups of a maximum of 4 people and may not exceed a total number of 12 people. In the case of outdoor activities in which the interpersonal safety distance between the different groups can be guaranteed permanently, up to a maximum of 20 people is allowed.
Premises and shopping centers. The capacity of retail establishments and commercial premises on islands at alert level 4 may not exceed 25%. In the case of shopping centers and parks, the capacity of common areas will be limited to 25% of the capacity.
Visits to museums, exhibition halls, monuments and other cultural facilities at alert level 4 will be carried out without exceeding 25% of the authorized capacity for all rooms and spaces, with a maximum number of 4 people in group activities.
Establishments and gambling and betting premises. At alert level 4, recreational gambling and betting premises will remain closed.
Ceremonies and other religious or civil celebrations. 50% of the capacity outdoors may not be exceeded, nor 25% of the authorized capacity in indoor areas, with a maximum of 10 people.
Beaches and natural pools. On beaches, the capacity will be 50% and in natural pools it will be 33%. On beaches, at this alert level, only individual sports are allowed, provided that the safety distance of 2 meters with other people can be guaranteed permanently.
Children's and youth camps and camping will be prohibited on islands at alert level 4.
Tastings of food products. This type of activity may not be carried out.
Meetings of owners' associations. At alert level 4, only those meetings that are unavoidable due to force majeure and with a capacity limitation of 25% may be held.
Street markets. At alert level 4, 33% of the capacity established by each city council for outdoor street markets and 25% for those held in enclosed spaces may not be exceeded. Sporadic or extraordinary street markets subject to authorization may not be held.
Hospitals and social healthcare centers. In hospitals, external visits are suspended, except in the case of minors, pregnant women, accompanying terminal patients and those other clinical situations that are considered necessary at the discretion of the physician. In residences for the elderly, residents' outings outside the centers and external visits are suspended, except in the case of accompanying terminal patients and those other situations that are considered necessary at the discretion of the center's management for health reasons. Patients who are confirmed cases with resolved infection will be exempt from this limitation. In addition, the use of FFP2 masks and facial protective screens by staff who have direct care with patients in these centers is recommended, as well as reinforcing ventilation.
In public transport regular urban and metropolitan land transport of passengers, on islands at alert levels 4, its capacity is reduced to 50%. Surveillance of urban land transport will be reinforced during peak hours to avoid crowds. During peak hours, the use of public transport for non-essential or postponable trips should be avoided. It is recommended to increase the frequency of public transport schedules, guaranteeing adequate ventilation and compliance with prevention measures, which includes not eating or drinking and making correct use of the mask.
