CORONAVIRUS – COVID 19

(Updated on April 10th, 2021 – Latest news: www.hellocanaryisland.com)

INFORMATION OF INTEREST

Lanzarote is one of the areas in the world least affected by COVID-19 and this makes the island one of the safest destinations to visit since it offers maximum conditions of safety and hygiene.

Accommodation establishments are gradually beginning to recover their activity and the main centres of tourist interest, shops and restaurants are already operating.

If you are coming on holiday to the Canary Islands in the near future, the following information is relevant to you. If you are visiting for another reason, please consult the Decree 87/2020 dated December 9. 

Re – open EU

The European Union has set up a website and a mobile app that provides all the information you need to travel to each European Union member state, the requirements at each destination and other information required by tourists. The site is called “Re-open EU” and provides travellers with the procedures to follow before travelling to each destination. 

Spain Travel Health – Sanitary Control Protocol

Travel assistance coverage for COVID-19

Faced with the slightest suspicion of Covid-19 symptoms, the tourist must first notify the Canary Islands Health Service on phone number +34 900 112 061 so that the Canary Islands health services can activate the corresponding protocols. The contact telephone number of the AXA insurer will be provided once the Canary Islands health services certify to the interested party that a positive case of Covid-19 has occurred.

Health & Safety Guidelines

RadarCOVID iOS o Android

You must download the RadarCOVID contagion alert app to your mobile. It is available for both iPhone and Android and will notify you of the risk of exposure to COVID-19 depending on your location.

List of authorised laboratories to carry out diagnostic tests for Covid-19

  Who can visit Canary Islands?

You can visit the Canary Islands provided you travel from the European Union, from a country in the Schengen area or from a third country with which Spain has reciprocal agreements regarding the acceptance of travellers. These are Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

From 6pm (GMT+1) on 30 March 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), passenger travel between the UK and Spain will resume, however entry restrictions and testing requirements will remain in force. Only Spanish citizens, those who are legally resident in Spain or those who can demonstrate through documentary evidence an essential need to enter Spain, will be allowed to enter the country. For further information please click here. 

When planning your return, we always recommend that you check the requirements and recommendations of your country of origin.

  Are there any special procedures to complete before travelling to Canaries?

Everyone who comes on holiday to the Canary Islands must go through a health inspection. This inspection varies depending on your exact circumstances.

  If you travel from a high risk area outside Spain

• Spanish Health Form that you must fill in and sign online before your travel to the Canary Islands
• PCR or TMA test taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the Canary Islands with negative result.Here is a list of some authorised testing centres in the United Kingdom.And click here in order to find a list of certain authorized centers in Ireland.
• Check the risk status of your home area here.
• Health check on arrival at the airport consisting of a temperature check (fever defined as a body temperature of 37.5ºC or higher) and a visual check for the absence of symptoms.

  If you travel from a medium or low risk area outside Spain

• Health form that must be completed and signed online before your visit to the Canary Islands
• Only if  you are going to stay at a tourist establishment: Have a test for an active case of COVID-19 with negative result taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the Canary Islands. The test certificate is presented at check in at your touristic accommodation. Children under the age of six are exempt from testing. The test must be approved by the health authorities of your home country or an EU country. The tests that are allowed are PCR (RT-PCR for COVID-19), Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA), and Antigen tests that detect SARS-COV-2 antigens with an accuracy of 97% and a sensitivity of over 80% as defined in their supporting documentation.

Here is a list of some authorised testing centres in the United Kingdom.

And click here in order to find a list of certain authorized centers in Ireland.

• Health check on arrival at the airport consisting of a temperature check (fever defined as a body temperature of 37.5ºC or higher) and a visual check for the absence of symptoms.

  If you travel from another autonomous community within Spain and don’t stay in official touristic accommodation

• Have a test for an active case of COVID-19 with negative result taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the Canary Islands. This is obligatory  between December 18, 2020 and April 9, 2021. Before travel you must send the test certificate to the email address pdiasviajes@gobiernodecanarias.org with your flight number and arrival date in the subject line. The tests that are allowed are PCR (RT-PCR for COVID-19), Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA), and Antigen tests that detect SARS-COV-2 antigens with an accuracy of 97% and a sensitivity of over 80% as defined in their supporting documentation. 
• In exceptional cases you may take a test within 72 hours of arrival in the Canary Islands, or isolate for 14 days.

  If you travel from another autonomous community within Spain and stay in official touristic accommodation

• You must show your touristic accommodation reservation document on arrival.
• Have a test for an active case of COVID-19 with negative result taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the Canary Islands. The test certificate is presented at check in at your touristic accommodation. Children under the age of six are exempt from testing. The test must be approved by health authorities. Here is a list of some approved testing facilities in Spain.  The tests that are allowed are PCR (RT-PCR for COVID-19), Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA), and Antigen tests that detect SARS-COV-2 antigens with an accuracy of 97% and a sensitivity of over 80% as defined in their supporting documentation.

In any case, it is extremely important you check your operator or airline’s conditions before travelling to Lanzarote

What measures will I find at the airport and/or on board the aircraft?

All international passengers receive a health check at Canary Islands’ airports. This check may involve having your temperature taken, a document check and a visual examination of the passenger’s health.

Remember that you must wear a mask and comply with all the safety measures imposed by the airline and the airport authorities while you are at the airport and throughout the flight.

Whenever possible, we recommend that you check in online to avoid unnecessary formalities at the airport. Remember that many airlines do not allow cabin bags other than a bag for personal use that fits underneath your seat.

Can I move freely between the islands?

Of course. One of the great advantages of visiting Canary Islands is that you can discover several islands on the same trip. The islands are all very different from each other, which makes the trip all the more interesting and enriching.

Movement between the islands is fully reinstated at the moment, with daily connections that allow you to easily get from one island to any other, either by plane or by boat.  You can travel between the islands with airlines Binter and Canaryfly or shipping lines Fred Olsen, Armas, Biosfera Express and Líneas Romero.

  What do I need to know before my arrival in Lanzarote? Safety measures.

In Lanzarote, we have worked tirelessly for the past few months so that you can visit us and enjoy your holiday to the utmost in the maximum safety.

You should also be familiar with the main measures being applied to ensure your well-being.

During your stay in Lanzarote, you must respect the night mobility limitations established on the island in phase 2 and that limits the movement of people during night hours from 23.00 to 6.00 h every day.

Measures that are generally applied

• Social distancing: the interpersonal distance is set at 1.5 metres.
• The use of a mask is compulsory for adults and children over 6 years of age on public roads, in open spaces and in any publically-used enclosed space, or any space that is open to the public, regardless of the maintenance of an interpersonal safety distance of at least 1.5 metres.
• Correct use of the mask is obligatory, covering the nose and mouth completely at all times.
• Frequent hand washing is recommended (using soap and water or hydroalcoholic hand sanitising gel).
• Smoking, the use of tobacco inhalation devices, water pipes, hookahs, shisha or similar devices will not be allowed on public roads and in outdoor spaces, as long as it is not possible to guarantee that an interpersonal safety distance of 2 metres is kept.
• Any reunion or meeting in private spaces of people who do not live together should be restricted to a maximum of four people, even if the safety distance can be guaranteed.

Public transportation

• In all forms of public transport, the companies providing the services are obliged to comply with a series of necessary health and hygiene measures.
• Seating is regulated to maintain social distancing.

Accommodation establishments

• In common spaces, the capacity is limited to enable the maintenance of the required social distancing; this is also the case in the different entertainment activities and group classes.
• In the dining areas, hydroalcoholic hand sanitising gels are installed at the entrance, tables are separated by 1.5 metres and are cleaned and disinfected between clients, and the elements of shared use, such as napkin or toothpick dispensers, have been eliminated.
• The buffet bars must be separated from the clients by a protective screen, and must offer previously prepared or fresh products in individual and single-serving dishes protected from the environment.

Swimming pools

• Limited capacity, depending on the sunbeds available, respecting the social distancing measures for the family unit.
• They must be disinfected daily.

Beaches and natural swimming pools

• There are capacity limitations (4 m² per person).
• The separation of 1.5 m between groups of sunbeds and beach umbrellas is obligatory and disinfection between clients is required.
• The cleaning protocol of the toilets is strengthened.
• In beaches and swimming pools, there is an exception to the obligation to wear a mask while swimming and while staying in a certain space, without moving to another spot, provided that respect for the interpersonal safety distance between all non-cohabiting users can be guaranteed. The use of a mask will be obligatory at all access points, on journeys and during walks in these spaces and facilities.

Restaurants

• The minimum distance between tables is 1.5 m.
• All products for shared use such as napkin rings, sugar bowls, etc. have been eliminated.
• Tables are cleaned and disinfected between clients.
• Menus should be replaced by QR codes.
• At the entrance there will be hydroalcoholic hand sanitising gel.
• In hotel and restaurant establishments and services, including bars and cafeterias, the only exception to the obligation to wear a mask is when eating or drinking.
• The maximum occupation per table or group of tables outdoors will be 6 people.

Events and markets

• For the moment, parties, festivals or cultural and sporting events are suspended.
• Visits to centres of tourist interest are permitted and must always be made in one direction, avoiding crowding.

Evening entertainment and public shows

• Currently the opening of discos and other nightlife establishments is not allowed.

Active tourism

• Outdoor activities are allowed.
• Companies providing these services must respect the cleaning and disinfection protocols.

  What to do if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19?

If you have symptoms such as cough, fever or respiratory difficulty or have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19 remember that:

• You must isolate yourself immediately in your accommodation, keeping a safe distance from other people and paying special attention to the established sanitary and hygiene measures.
• Contact the COVID-19 information phone number authorised by the Canary Islands Government: +34 900 112 061 if you speak Spanish, or 112 for English, where you will be informed about how to proceed.
• As what is most important is your health and well-being, if you do not have medical insurance, we will provide you with an AXA policy free of charge in Canary Islands to cover all expenses relating to COVID-19. See everything that it covers here.
• PCR tests

Remember that for any questions about tourist information you can call us at +34 928 811 762, write to our email [email protected], or contact us through our social networks (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter).