Canary Islands: Police crackdown as more islands under strict Covid restrictions

Hotel Benidorm: Chef discusses why Brits love the region

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The popular island of Gran Canaria moved to level four restrictions at the weekend. The Canaries are one of Spain’s top winter destinations.

Bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria now have to close at midnight instead of one am under the new rules.

Local media reported police moving in to evict people from bars that stayed open later than midnight on the first night of restrictions.

Bars on the island were cleared at midnight on the first night of the tough new restrictions.

Venues in Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas, were cleared as people adapted to the new rules.

The majority of evictions took place in an area called Vegueta where it was reported some venues were above capacity.

Local media reported that many people were not wearing masks or social distancing in bars in the area.

Gran Canaria moved to level four restrictions with the smaller island of La Palma at the weekend.

The Covid certificate is required to enter any bars and restaurants on the islands and masks must be worn at all times.

A maximum of six people can meet up indoors and outdoors unless they are from the same household.

Some popular beaches in Gran Canaria will now have capacity limits to prevent any overcrowding.

The natural pools in La Laja will be limited to 50 percent capacity while spas will be operating at 25 percent capacity.

The island of Tenerife is already at level four restrictions with tourists required to leave entertainment venues at midnight.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are currently at level three coronavirus restrictions and bars on the islands can open until one am.

El Hierro and La Gomera are at level two on the Covid scale and are not thought to be as high risk.

Last week, the president of the Canary Islands, Angel Victor Torres, said 2022 would be the “year of the comeback”.

He said he expected the islands to recover 90 percent of the tourist numbers that visited in 2019 before the pandemic.

He added: “The Canary Islands continue to be an attractive destination for international tourists and also for Spanish from the mainland.

“I believe we will fulfil these predictions if there isn’t a seventh wave or another unknown variant, which scientific advisors tell me is not very likely.”

Last year seven million tourists visited the Canary Islands although the hotospot was affected by restrictions.

It was a difficult year for the Canaries due to the long lasting volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma.

It finally came to an end in December after destroying 1,000 homes and many banana plantations.

Source: Read Full Article