THE Canary Islands is to enforce new rules which will require all arrivals to have a negative coronavirus test from November 14.
This will apply to all nationalities, including Brits once the UK government gives the all-clear for international travel, and will include children over the age of six.
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The Canary Islands, which includes Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, are currently the only place in Spain where Brits can travel without the need to go into quarantine on their return as this was lifted by the UK government as a result of the low incidence of coronavirus.
However, there is currently a halt on international holidays following Boris Johnson’s announcement of the new lockdown from November 5 to December 2.
The Canary tourism department is to start an information campaign for clients and accommodation regarding the obligatory nature of the test so that people know what to expect when restrictions ease in the UK.
The new rule establishes that as of November 14, all visitors staying in tourist accommodation will have to present a certificate proving a negative diagnostic test for COVID-19.
This will make holidays to the islands much pricier, as negative coronavirus tests for travel-purposes are not allowed for free on the NHS.
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Instead, it has to be done privately which can cost between £100 and £200 per person.
Other countries to have enforced this on British travellers include Cyprus, St Lucia and Dubai.
Information posters and texts have been prepared to send information in five languages, in addition to updating the contents of the website aimed at solving frequent questions from travellers and also on professional and promotional social media profiles.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands has made available to hotels and owners of tourist accommodation material that helps them inform their clients of the entry into force of Decree Law 17/2020,” said a spokesman.
This decree implements measures aimed at preventing risk situations from the intensification of movements of people from territorial units with a high incidence of COVID-19 to others with a lower incidence, such as the Canary Islands.
Tourists arriving in the Canaries will need to show their covid-free certificates obtained up to 72 hours prior to their arrival at their accommodation in order to be allowed in.
If they don’t have one, they will be refused access and told to visit a local clinic or hospital to take a rapid test at their own expense. If this proves negative, they can enter their hotel or apartment.
If positive, they will need to go into quarantine.
On the promotional website of the Hola Islas Canarias destination, the content for tourists has been updated in multiple languages.
“The objective is threefold and is aimed at three different audiences: on the one hand, to provide entrepreneurs with the precise information that they must pass on to their clients; on the other, attend to the queries that the tourists themselves ask before embarking on their trip; and finally, for destination marketing professionals such as tour operators or travel agencies,” said the spokesman.
Island officials have spoken of their devastation regarding the UK lockdown which may force hotels and restaurants to close for good.
Holidays to the Canaries were on sale for as little as £207 for seven nights and return flights, with last-minute winter sun trips popular.
However, families are likely to be looking to 2021 for their next holiday thanks to the new lockdown restrictions.
