Canary Islands: New strict rules for holidaymakers

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The Canary Islands have introduced new COVID-19 passports for pubs, restaurants and clubs. The islands, which include Brit favourites Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, have followed the example of other places like Valencia and the Balearics and will require people to present Covid-free certificates.

The new rule comes into force on December 10 and is currently set to last a month, although that could be extended. The health chiefs have implemented the new law because of a rise in Covid cases and pressure on intensive care beds.

They argue that the Covid-19 passports will allow them to be flexible in other areas, like capacity in bars and restaurants and late curfews.

The Minister of Health Blas Trujillo said that it is about protecting people’s health and lives through a measure that restricts the spread of the pandemic.

It cannot be considered a discriminatory measure, insofar as the right to life and the protection of public health prevail, since the information on whether the vaccine has been received or not, at times when a pandemic is going through, is a basic and essential piece to prevent the spread of the infection by SARS – CoV-2

The Canary Islands Health Service are creating a mobile app for the Covid passport called the COVID SCS Reader, can be downloaded from the Apple Store, Google Play and Huawei App Gallery stores in the coming days.

Brits visiting Benidorm were told this weekend that they would fine more than £500 if they fail to show their Covid passports when going into a pub, club or bar. The owners of establishments without posters warning about the measure will also be sanctioned with up to €600.

The new rules have been introduced in the Alicante region as a direct response to rising cases of coronavirus, with health officials admitting Valencia is going through the sixth wave. The new rules came into yesterday and will remain in place for at least 30 days.

Customers need to show their Covid passes or app when going into any hotel or restaurant in Benidorm with a capacity of more than 50 people. The Covid certificate can be obtained in three ways: with a double vaccination, with a negative PCR in the last 72 hours or after having overcome the disease in the last six months.

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