26
Mar 2021
0

COVID-19: Easter Restrictions

Semana Santa is going to be celebrated in the same fashion as everything this past year, with restrictions,

COVID-19: Easter Restrictions

Business Owners , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

Semana Santa is going to be celebrated in the same fashion as everything this past year, with restrictions, restrictions and more restrictions. I imagine that the disregard of any type of safety protocols over Christmas and New Year’s that created another spike in COVID-19 is the reason behind the measures that have been put in place.

Travel between islands from midnight last night and until midnight of Friday 9th April to coincide with Easter has been restricted which does not include exceptions indicated in Royal Decree-Law 926/2020 of 25th October (medical, work related, return to one’s primary residence…). The only way to travel between islands for reasons that do not meet that criteria is to show proof of a negative COVID PRC test.

Other restrictions are to do with limited number of persons who can meet in public areas (indoors or open-air) to a maximum of four as long as they do not reside in the same house (Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3) and a maximum of two (Alert Level 4). Only persons who reside in the same house may gather in private residences.

Curfew has been set between 11pm and 6pm (Alert Level 1) and between 10pm and 6am (Alert Levels 2, 3 and 4). This does not affect essential activities.

Restrictions will also apply to those wishing to enter the Canary Islands during the Easter period.

There are of course specific measures for the hospitality sector (restaurants, bars, terraces, cafés and similar) besides the general measures in place for each alert level during this period.

  • Safety distance of at least 2 metres between chairs belonging to different groups of tables.
  • Try to ensure the maximum distance between occupants of the same table, preferably so they are sat face to face
  • Consumption of food and drink outside of the designated seating area assigned to each customer is prohibited and specifically alcoholic beverages
  • Smoking on terraces or other open-air areas belonging to the establishment is strictly prohibited. Smoking tabacco or other substances within a 5 metre perimeter of access points of the establishments is prohibited.
  • Customers must remain at their tables to reduce movement around the establishment as much as possible.
  • The use of masks is obligatory except in the moment in which food or drink is consumed, so basically between bites and sips you must slip the mask back on.
  • Activities that promote gatherings, incorrect use of masks or non-compliance with the safetey distance are prohibited (fiestas, dances, karaokes, competitions, concerts or ambient music that invites people to sing or dance…).
  • The owners of the establishments are responsible for ensuring all appropriate measures to prevent further contagion of COVID-19.

This list of restrictions definitely does not put one in the mood for celebrating anything, but I suppose that is kind of the point and it does not mean you can’t go out and still have fun. What I do know is that the blatant disregard of these rules just sets us back even further and if we don’t do our best to follow guidelines and restrictions, we are never going to break this cycle, and I can’t be the only one who wants to return to a pre-COVID existence some time in the very near future.

26
Mar 2021
0

Ayuntamiento de La Oliva Allows Business Owners in the Hospitality Sector to Occupy Public Domain to Extend Terraces

Due to recent changes in Fuerteventura brought about by increased COVID-19 restrictions, the Ayuntamiento de La Oliva will

Ayuntamiento de La Oliva Allows Business Owners in the Hospitality Sector to Occupy Public Domain to Extend Terraces

Business Owners , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

Due to recent changes in Fuerteventura brought about by increased COVID-19 restrictions, the Ayuntamiento de La Oliva will permit business owners in the hospitality sector who perhaps do not have an outdoor terrace to occupy part of the street so they can remain open.

As published in my previous article, Fuerteventura’s Alert Level increased to Three which means that indoor service is not permitted for the time being, however, this means that many establishments that do not have outside space have to make the difficult “choice” to close doors once again.

This Ayuntamiento will receive applications to use part of the street to set up a temporary terrace area to prevent further closures and financial loss to hard-working local business owners and their staff. Since this measure is in line with a Government Agreement on 16th December 2020 that states that “use of public domain will be exceptionally and provisionally granted during periods in which the islands are subject to Alert Level 3 and higher restrictions”, no other specifics besides either being in possession of the Opening Licences or providing proof it has been applied for have been indicated.

The Department of Commerce is responsible for processing these applications so if you are an affected party, it is well worth applying.

21
Mar 2021
3

COVID-19: Fuerteventura Moves Up to Alert Level 3 Again

Who would have thought two years ago that we would live in a world where we would experience

COVID-19: Fuerteventura Moves Up to Alert Level 3 Again

Business Owners , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

Who would have thought two years ago that we would live in a world where we would experience lockdowns, curfews and restrictions where we are prohibited from seeing our own family and friends? This is our new reality and we must get used to constant changes in what we are permitted to do at any given moment.

To be honest, this year, I have not really wanted to write as much because I’m COVID-out, but I have to suck it up and keep reading the daily law changes. So here is the latest I’m bringing to you after it was approved on Friday and comes into effect from tomorrow, Monday 22nd March 2021. What are the restrictions for Alert Level Three?:

  1. Travel: Restricted travel and movement of persons to and from the island except justified travel (work, emergencies…). Those who have can prove they have pre-booked in tourist establishments will be authorized entry as per Decree-Law 17/2020, 29th October.
  2. Public and Private Areas: Maximum gatherings of four people except those who reside in the same home.
  3. Curfew: We must make sure to be home between 10pm and 6am every day except for essential activities (article 5 of Royal Decree 926/2020, 25th October).
  4. Hospitals: Visits are prohibited except for patients who are minors, pregnant, terminal or in similar circumstances.
  5. Hospitality Sector: Maximum of four persons per table. The security distance between tables is the usual 2 metres. Occupancy on terraces is lowered to 50% and unfortunately service in the interior of establishments is not permitted. Nobody is allowed to be seated at the bar. Interior buffets are not permitted, however, they may take place outside. Restricted areas must be clearly marks and activities that do not allow for the safety distance between patrons are not allowed. All establishments must be closed before 10pm allowing time for staff to get home.
  6. Sport: All interior sports activities are prohibited, however, they are allowed outside as long as occupancy is decreased to 50% of the normal number of people. Groups are limited to a maximum of four including the monitor if the minimum security distance cannot be guaranteed.
  7. Transport: Obligatory use of masks and it is not permitted to eat, drink or smoke onboard. Singing, shouting, initiating conversations with other passengers and phone conversations are restricted as well (breathing is optional!!!!). We are encouraged not to travel at peak times except for essential activities.

Good luck everybody and stay safe