The Government of the Canary Islands published this Monday, in an extraordinary BOC, the decree law that brings together all the measures to contain the Covid pandemic. In addition, it includes changes at all alert levels, expanding the number of non-cohabiting people in meetings, as well as the closing hours of establishments. Likewise, the text, which comes into force after its publication, allows the reopening of nightlife on all the islands.
Regarding the islands that are at level 1, which are currently Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, meetings may now be up to a maximum of 12 people not living together in both public and private spaces.
As for the closing time of establishments, it has been set at 03:00 hours, as long as it is businesses or activities that before the pandemic did not have a closing time set or that it was higher. For its part, 100% capacity will be allowed in restaurants and 75% indoors.
For the islands at level 2, in which there are currently none, the maximum number of non-cohabiting people in meetings will now be up to a maximum of eight people and businesses may remain open until 02:00 hours. The capacity allowed in restaurants will be 75% of what they have established in outdoor spaces and 50% in indoor spaces.
At alert level 3, where the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura are now located, meetings of up to a maximum of six people are allowed and the closing time of businesses is extended until 01:00 hours. The capacity in the hotel industry will in this case be 50% outdoors and 33% indoors.
Finally, at alert level 4, meetings of up to six non-cohabiting people are allowed, as in level 3, and establishments may also remain open until 01:00 hours. However, in this case, the capacity in restaurants will be 75% outdoors and 25% indoors.
Nightlife venues such as discos, bars and karaoke bars may open at all alert levels, under the same conditions as other hotels and restaurants. However, dancing will not be allowed and those responsible for the establishments must keep a record of attendees "for the traceability of infections and contacts" in case of infections.
The ban on smoking on terraces remains
In addition, the decree maintains the prohibition of "consumption of tobacco and the use of tobacco inhalation devices, water pipes, hookahs, shisha, or similar in all entertainment venues, leisure, hotels, restaurants and in any other type of establishment open to the public, even on terraces".
Likewise, smoking is also prohibited on public roads when "it is not possible to guarantee the maintenance of an interpersonal safety distance of two meters, as well as within a perimeter of at least 5 meters, with respect to accesses to non-university educational centers, health centers, social health centers, premises and establishments where smoking is prohibited and with respect to the physical or virtual limits of playgrounds".
Similarly, eating and drinking on public roads and in outdoor spaces is not allowed when it is not possible to guarantee the maintenance of an interpersonal safety distance of two meters, except in stable cohabitation groups.
Regarding the period of validity of these measures, "it will be in force until the end of the health crisis situation caused by Covid-19 at the national level is declared."
Sporting and cultural events
The decree establishes that "the regional health authority, depending on the favorable evolution of the epidemiological situation, may adopt the measure of expanding capacity, number of people per group and closing hours planned for each activity and space at different alert levels, allowing the increase in access for those people who voluntarily accredit either the negative result of a diagnostic test of active infection for SARS-CoV-2 carried out with a maximum advance of 48 hours and self-diagnosis tests not being admissible, or having received the complete vaccination schedule against Covid-19 of a vaccine authorized by the European Medicines Agency with more than 14 days in advance within the previous 12 months, or having passed the disease within the previous 180 days. This measure will be of voluntary application for the person responsible for the activity or space and under their responsibility."
Regarding sectors such as cultural or sports, the Government has reviewed in the decree-law the measures adopted to ensure that the conditions are exactly the same or improved, as well as improving the part linked to sports activity, following the guidelines agreed between Public Health and Sports. In addition, the practice of Canarian wrestling is allowed.
