12
Feb 2021
0

COVID-19: Carnival 2021 Cancelled… No Party, No Way!

So I’m a little late to the party just because today was a busy day here at the

COVID-19: Carnival 2021 Cancelled… No Party, No Way!

COVID-19 , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

So I’m a little late to the party just because today was a busy day here at the office, but the latest update, the Canarian Government has published restrictions some of which apply to ALL islands REGARDLESS of their alert status in an attempt to curb potential issues as we approach one of the biggest event of the year… CARNIVAL!

Carnival in the Canaries is almost as big as it is in Brazil. So much effort goes into planning the theme, processions, bands, promotion, policing etc., it is a big deal, but COVID-19 is going to ruin Carnival season for the second year in a row and it has been officially cancelled (insert crying Carnival Queen) but we knew this was coming.

The Government convened yesterday afternoon and agreed the following restrictions from today thru Sunday 21st February 2021. Some will be based on the alert status of each island and others apply to all, so first, lets get up to date with what is happening on each island:

  • Alert Level 1: Tenerife, La Palma and La Gomera
  • Alert Level 2: Fuerteventura and El Hierro
  • Alert Level 3: Gran Canaria
  • Alert Level 4: Lanzarote and La Graciosa

CURFEW: Persons who do not live under the same roof my meet over the next 10 days in public or private spaces (open-air or enclosed) but the curfew is between 10pm and 6am ON ALL ISLANDS.

EXTRA MEASURES FOR THE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SECTORS: Over the next 10 days, besides the measures that are already in place depending on the alert level of each island, there are retrictions regarding activities that increase the risk of inspection like consuming at the bar or those that do not allow for the security distance between persons or incorrect use of masks such as celebrating parties, dances, karaokes, competitions, concerts, live music… There are also specific requirements about the maximum number of persons per table:

  • Alert Levels 1 and 2: 6 persons
  • Alert Level 3: 4 persons
  • Alert Level 4: 2 persons

TRAVEL BETWEEN ISLANDS AT ALERT LEVELS 3 AND 4: Airport and port controls are going to intensify to prevent unnecessary travel between islands where the alert level is high. Maximum occupancy on public transport will also be cut to 50%.

ORGANIZED PARTIES, “VERBENAS” AND PUBLIC EVENTS: These types of gatherings are not permitted period. Any type of event that incites mass gatherings and do not allow for social distancing rules will not be allowed so Carnival is a big no-no again this year

Follow the rules and stay safe everyone! Have a lovely weekend 🙂

16
Jan 2021
2

COVID-19: Fuerteventura Enters Alert Level II

After the fiasco that was this week in La Oliva after our Mayor, Pilar González Segura issued an

COVID-19: Fuerteventura Enters Alert Level II

Business Owners , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

After the fiasco that was this week in La Oliva after our Mayor, Pilar González Segura issued an authorized increase from alert level II to level III of the municipality only to revoke it a day and a half later, there are more changes to the island’s status, only this time from the correct source.

Following on from the temporary measures decreed throughout the Canary Islands last week, yesterday, Fuerteventura has officially gone from Alert Level I to Level II due to increased cases that are no doubt a result from illegal mass gatherings and parties since Christmas and especially over New Year’s where standard security measures have not been properly observed.

A Plenary Session of the Canarian Government was held on Thursday 14th January 2021 to amend the alert levels of Lanzarote (increased to Level III), Fuerteventura (increased to Level II) and La Gomera (reduced to Level I) and came into effect yesterday, Friday 15th January until Thursday 28th January inclusive as can be seen on the released Announcement.

Restrictions for Alert Level II are:

  • Curfew: Freedom of movement is limited between 11pm and 6am every day
  • Limitations of groups of people in public and private areas: This is restricted to a maximum of FOUR persons except in the cases of co-habitants. If the group is a mixture of both co-habitants and non co-habitants, the maximum is still FOUR.
  • Specific measures for the Hotel and Restaurant Sector (terraces, bars and cafes): The maximum number of persons permitted per table is reduced from six to FOUR and the establishment must close to the public by 11pm. Activities that do not allow the required 2 metre safety distance are not permitted in terraces or other open-air spaces attached to the establishment, i.e., dancing, karaoke and similar
  • Sport Activities: Group or team sports practiced in indoor installations and sports centres that do not allow a permanent safety distance of 2 metres between persons is restricted to a maximum of FOUR persons per group including the instructor. In open-air areas, team sports that do not guarantee a permanent safety distance between participants at all times are not permitted. Group activities where it is not possible to maintain a permanent 2 metre security distance are restricted to a maximum of FOUR persons per group including the instructor (Personal Note: This last part for open-air activities seems contradictory because it is either not permitted or restricted so use discretion here)
  • Hospitals and Public Health Centres: Visitation is limited and must be supervised by health care specialists within the centres. Proper clinical face masks must be used otherwise entry will be refused.
  • Public Transport: In regular public road transport, the maximum capacity has been reduced to 50%. Police forces will be extra vigilant during peak times/ rush hour to prevent crowds from gathering at bus stops etc., and request only essential travel at these times. The frequency of bus routes will be increased and as before, food and drink may not be consumed on board and masks must be used correctly (not under the nose or chin)

These measures will be reviewed again around 28th January to see whether they have been successful or not and if the number of cases decrease, Fuerteventura may return to Alert Level I.

Personally, I am not one for checking the daily statistics of the Canary Islands as I find it too depressing to be so immersed in everything COVID-19, but since we are on the subject, the latest report of the last 24 hours shows the following:

There have been 368 new cases which takes the total number of accumulated cases in the Canary Islands to 30.946 of which there are 7.825 active cases (55 remain in Intensive Care; 300 are hospitalized and the remainder are quarantining at home). There have been four deaths (two males from Tenerife and two from Gran Canaria) aged between 49 and 82 and all with pre-existing medical conditions.

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