Huge change to Covid restrictions on Spain’s Canary Islands from TODAY
COVID rules have been relaxed on the Canary Islands today, giving a boost to Brits with plans to visit.
As of 12am this morning, all of the Canary Islands - which includes Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote - are operating at the lowest level of Covid restrictions.
The Spanish islands have been operating under a traffic light system since the pandemic began, depending on case numbers and hospital occupancy.
Last week, Gran Canaria was reduced to Level 3 Covid alert to join Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
Lanzarote and La Graciosa are at Level 2.
However, as of today, all of the islands that are on Levels 1, 2 or 3 - which is all of them - are operating at Level 1 Covid alert.
Under Level 1, there can be 100 per cent capacity at all indoor and outdoor spaces, including cafés, bars and restaurants, and closing times can be by 4am.
Large events can operate at 100 per cent capacity both indoors and outdoors along with children and youth camps.
Some restrictions do remain in place, as there is a 12-person limit on group sizes and, despite the fact that nightclubs can open, dancing is banned.
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The new measure is expected to be in force until April 30, although it may be extended if deemed necessary depending on Covid data nearer the time.
While all the islands are likely to continue to operate under the traffic light system until then, health experts have announced they hope to scrap all Covid rules by the summer.
The general director of Public Health José Juan Alemán has revealed the traffic light system will "disappear before long" and it is "perfectly feasible" there will be mass events without the need for face masks in June.
Spain has been relaxing Covid rules in recent weeks and the latest news will come as another boost to Brits with holiday plans.
Spain has changed its entry requirements to allow unvaccinated Brits who recently recovered from Covid to enter.
Previously, only vaccinated Brits could visit Spain, but the change means people with one or zero jabs can also enter.
Additionally, Spain has scrapped the requirement for kids to be vaccinated to enter, and the Balearic Islands have ended most of their restrictions due to an improvement in Covid cases.
