Spain announce travel ban for UK flights amid coronavirus strain

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The holiday islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura have been placed on new special measures in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The Government of the Canary Islands has introduced new preventive measures for the three islands which came into effect on Monday.

The new rules are said to be “specific and temporary measures to contain the spread of infections caused by SARS -CoV-2” with officials saying they will be “modified or cancelled if the epidemiological situation in each of the islands so advises.”

Among the rules are tightened curfews, which will limit the freedom of movement of people at night.

Restrictions will last from 10pm to 6am, instead of the previous curfew of 11pm to 6am, with the exception of those out of the home for specific reasons.

Now, only four people from different households can mix outside, both in public and private spaces.

In a blow to tourism, hotels and restaurants have also seen their capacity slashed.

Hotels, restaurants and outdoor terraces will now only be permitted to operate at 50 percent of their usual capacity.

Dining indoors will be limited to four people per table, meanwhile, only two people can sit together at bars.

Establishments must also close by 10pm under the new curfew rules, including pick-up and takeaway services.

Buffets and self-service dining options continue to be closed.

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Tourist activities, as well as children’s and youth camps, are reduced to 20 people including the person leading the group.

Attendees of any group activities will automatically be separated into bubbles of four.

Under the new decree, beaches will also be impacted by tightened rules.

Beach capacity will be reduced to 50 percent occupancy, and separate households will only be permitted to mix in groups of four or less.

The Canary government says these measures must be followed in tandem with the raft of other regulations still in force on all of the islands.

They are being introduced following an increase in cases which health chiefs are attributing to Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as carnivals which were allowed to go ahead, particularly in February.

Coronavirus figures across Tenerife in particular have been rising, falling and then rising again over the last few months and the islands have been on different levels of alert.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 151 new cases of coronavirus COVID-19 and one more death.

Over the previous seven days accumulated the Canary Islands reported 62.88 cases per 100,000 people.

Over the previous 14 days, this figure sits at 118.51 cases per 100,000 people.

By islands, Tenerife added 69 cases with a total of 18,221 accumulated cases, with 2,255 still active; Gran Canaria has 17,817 accumulated cases, 73 more than the previous day and 1,885 active.

Lanzarote added a new case with 4,520 accumulated and 81 epidemiologically active.

Fuerteventura has 1,824 accumulated cases with seven more cases than the previous day and 295 active.

La Palma added a new case and stands at 442 accumulated and 29 active cases; El Hierro did not register any cases, keeping its accumulated at 298 and there were no new cases on La Gomera.

To date, a total of 911,966 PCR tests have been carried out in the islands.

Hoteliers say they are desperate to get the tourism season kickstarted and have launched a new campaign to warn of the “critical situation” and calling for more financial aid for “drowning tourism businesses”

It is not yet clear when Britons will be allowed to return to Spain and the Canary Islands, however, it will not be any sooner than May 17 under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.

By islands, Tenerife added 69 cases with a total of 18,221 accumulated cases, with 2,255 still active; Gran Canaria has 17,817 accumulated cases, 73 more than the previous day and 1,885 active.

Lanzarote added a new case with 4,520 accumulated and 81 epidemiologically active.

Fuerteventura has 1,824 accumulated cases with seven more cases than the previous day and 295 active.

La Palma added a new case and stands at 442 accumulated and 29 active cases; El Hierro did not register any cases, keeping its accumulated at 298 and there were no new cases on La Gomera.

To date, a total of 911,966 PCR tests have been carried out in the islands.

Hoteliers say they are desperate to get the tourism season kickstarted and have launched a new campaign to warn of the “critical situation” and calling for more financial aid for “drowning tourism businesses”

It is not yet clear when Britons will be allowed to return to Spain and the Canary Islands, however, it will not be any sooner than May 17 under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.

Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.

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