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Spain’s tourism minister hasn’t had an easy job this year. Over and over again he had to react to new regulations. Now she is once again confident that the year will end in a somewhat indulgent way for her. “The Canaries are a safe travel destination,” says Reyes Maroto. “And the islands are well prepared to welcome vacationers again.”
Maroto had set off specifically for the holiday stronghold of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, in the south of Gran Canaria, to give the starting signal for the high season that is beginning.
With air and water temperatures of over 20 degrees you can stand it in the Canary Islands in the cold season. And most countries don’t classify the islands, which include Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, as corona risk areas. Germany also withdrew its travel notice. The archipelago in the Atlantic is currently one of the few travel destinations in Europe that is considered relatively safe.
Seven-day incidence less than 50
This is the reward for the island government’s efforts to keep the epidemic under control. In recent weeks, the Canary Islands have managed to reduce the incidence of new infections to seven days to below 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
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However, the situation is not the same on all islands. Tenerife, the largest and most populous island, has 72 cases per 100,000 residents, beyond the threshold of 50 beyond which Germany, for example, can issue a travel warning. Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are well below this limit with 20-30 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days.
Low number of new infections
In any case, the number of new infections in the Canary Islands is currently much lower than, for example, in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or Luxembourg. However, the Canarian authorities and now also the central Spanish authorities have ordered a basic proof requirement for all immigrants. In the Canary Islands, this rule applies from this Saturday.
On November 23, a PCR test will come into effect throughout Spain for domestic and foreign travelers. However, only for travelers from risk areas arriving at airports and ferry ports.
The analysis cannot be older than 72 hours and must be in English or Spanish. Rapid antigen tests are not recognized until there is a Europe-wide agreement on their reliability, the national health ministry said.
There are no quarantine requirements
A quarantine obligation for travelers from risk countries, as prescribed by Germany, is not currently foreseen in Spain. This means that if you arrive at a Spanish airport with a negative PCR test, you can move freely from day one.
Anyone who enters the country without a deadline test must expect a fine of at least 3,000 euros. Furthermore, the sinner must then do an on-site analysis at his own expense and await the result in quarantine.
As the regulations are constantly being adapted to the situation, travelers to Spain should inquire on the websites of the diplomatic missions or the tour operator before arriving, including regarding other Corona restrictions. This includes, for example, a mask requirement. And a night ban throughout Spain, which just doesn’t apply to the Canaries. In addition, before departure you must complete a health questionnaire in the “Travel Health Portal in Spain”.
For large travel companies, Spain’s PCR requirement comes as a surprise. The vacation companies wanted to provide their customers with inexpensive rapid antigen tests that can be completed before departure home or upon arrival at their destination. This was for example negotiated with the Canary Regional Government. However, after the entry into force of the new decree of the Spanish government, according to which only negative PCR analyzes are allowed as proof, entry with a rapid test will no longer be possible.
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