The "no swimming" signs will disappear next Wednesday from Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo, which have started phase 2 of the de-escalation in an ambiguous situation. Although the Lanzarote Emergency and Security Consortium has confirmed to La Voz that swimming was allowed on all the island's beaches from this Monday - since the national restriction has already been lifted and no town council had ordered the closure of any beach by decree - the Yaiza Town Council had placed these signs on several beaches and had only officially announced the opening of the beach in the town of Playa Blanca, which has seen its capacity filled in a few hours.
Finally, both institutions have confirmed to this media outlet that the ban on swimming in the rest was only a "recommendation", as they had not yet been able to provide them with the necessary security measures. Therefore, as happens when the red flag is raised on a beach, what was being done was only a warning to bathers, which in no case could imply fines.
However, the City Council has already informed that from 10 am next Wednesday, Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo will have lifeguards, so they will also consider them open to the public. In the case of Playa Dorada, they explain that the company that has the concession has confirmed "the resumption of the lifeguard service"; while in Flamingo it will be the City Council itself that assumes it, "after its concession has ended".
The City Council appeals to the "responsibility" of the users
In a statement, the City Council "again appeals to the responsibility of citizens to maintain security and prevention measures in the use of beaches, especially those, such as Papagayo, which do not have a lifeguard service." The mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, will hold a meeting this Tuesday with officials from the Island Council "to adopt new measures in favor of public health, but anticipates that in any case, "Papagayo and all the beaches of the municipality will return to normal this week."
Óscar Noda also wanted to "thank once again the sacrifice of the residents of the municipality of Yaiza and the responsibility of the vast majority of the population in respecting the health measures recommended in the de-escalation process." The mayor stresses that "the abrupt change in social behavior dictated by covid and the consequences of the pandemic has not been easy for the population, but we want to continue taking safe steps that will lead us to the total recovery of daily activity. Yaiza will continue to be responsible and faithful to the consensus, because in the management of a crisis of such magnitude there is no room for quarrels between political colors and much less between administrations."
Yaiza recalls that the hours of enjoyment of beaches are from 10:00 to 18:00 hours. Bathing, sunbathing, walking and individual sports activities are allowed. The use of public toilets, showers, footbaths, hammocks, collective sports activities, barbecues, igloos or windbreaks, mats, as well as the use of any play element in the sea is not allowed.
