Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, the Canary Islands Government has decided to regulate tourist access to accommodation by establishing a series of obligations (published in Decree-Law 17/2020 of 29 October) which must be fulfilled by the owners and managers of all types of tourist establishments, without exception. All tourists over the age of 6 who come from outside the Canary Islands, both nationals and foreigners, must provide a diagnostic test for active infection with a negative result for COVID-19 carried out at least 72 hours before arrival, in accordance with the regulations of the Canary Islands Government, as well as downloading and maintaining the “Radar Covid” app active during their stay on the islands and for 15 days after their return. The reservation implies the express acceptance of these conditions.
Who is exempt from the test?
Tourists resident in the Canary Islands who travel between islands, provided that they sign a declaration stating that they have not left the Canary Islands in the 15 days prior to arrival at the holiday home and that during this period they have not had symptoms compatible with the COVID-19. Non-resident tourists who can prove with their travel documents that they have stayed in the Canary Islands at least 15 days prior to arrival at the holiday home and that during this period they have not experienced any symptoms compatible with the COVID-19 will also be exempt.
The role of HH managers and owners
They must have the poster in at least five official languages of the EU informing about the conditions of access. In the event that the tourist does not have the test or refuses to sign a responsible statement, he/she will be denied access to the holiday home, except when the reason is that he/she does not have the test. He/she will be informed of nearby centres where he/she can take the test.
In exceptional cases, tourists will be authorised to enter and spend the night at the VV for the time necessary to take the test and to collect the results. In the event that the tourist has to take a test to return to his/her country, he/she will be informed of the appropriate centres for this purpose. It is advisable to communicate this information through a medium (whatsapp, gmail, etc…) that records the fulfilment of this obligation and to keep it for a reasonable time.
When will these new measures come into force?
They will come into force from Friday 13th November 2020, and will last until the Canary Islands Government declares them unnecessary or replaces them with others. Failure to comply with them may result in fines of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros. For further information click here.