Canary Islands: Corona test is mandatory

The managers of the Canary Islands work every day to be able to offer tourists the greatest safety, hygiene and quality for their trip. The Canary Islands currently have one of the lowest epidemiological rates in Europe and the lowest in Spain. Most hotels - as well as the main tourist attractions, stores and restaurants - have already reopened their doors or will do so shortly. If you are traveling to the Canary Islands soon, here is important information.

1. who can travel to the Canary Islands?
All tourists can enter the Canary Islands provided they come from an EU country, a country of the Schengen area or a third country with which Spain has a reciprocal agreement regarding entry. These third countries are Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

2. Do I need to complete certain formalities before traveling to the Canary Islands?
Yes, you need to complete two formalities:

Maximum 72 hours before departure (only required if you are staying in tourist accommodation): Test for diagnosis of active infection by COVID-19 with negative test result. You must present this test result when you check-in to the tourist accommodation of your choice. IN FORCE SINCE NOVEMBER 14, 2020.

Maximum 48 hours before departure (only required if you are traveling from outside Spain): You must complete and sign a health control form (Formulario de control sanitario / FCS) online before traveling to the Canary Islands. You can access this form in the Spain Travel Health portal or via apps for Android and iOs access and sign it. After signing, you will receive a QR code that must be presented when entering the Canary Islands (valid both in digital format and printed). Remember that a separate form must be filled out for each trip and for each person.

In any case, it is essential that you check the conditions of your tour operator or airline before traveling to the Canary Islands.

3. doubts about the tests

Is the test obligatory before entering the Canary Islands?
No, the test is only required if you are staying at a tourist facility on the islands. The test must be no more than 72 hours before entering the country. We have managed to significantly reduce the infection rate in the Canary Islands, and therefore, for the safety of tourists and residents, we ask you to at least perform an antigen test before traveling. This is the only way that we can all continue to travel.

What kind of test?
A test to detect active infection that demonstrates that you are not positive as a carrier of COVID-19. This test must be homologated by the health authorities of your country or by the European Union.

Do I need a certificate? How do I provide a certificate?
You will need a certificate, either in digital format or on paper, stating that you have been tested. The certificate must include the date and time of the test, your personal information, the official body where you took the test, and the negative test result. It is recommended that this certificate is written in Spanish or English.

And children?
Children under 6 years of age are not required to present any type of negative test result.

I was already infected with the coronavirus and am immune. Do I also have to take a test?
Yes, even those who have already contracted coronavirus must provide a negative test result, and the test must have been performed within the 72 hours prior to entry.

I come from another autonomous community of Spain. Do I also have to take a test if I stay in a tourist accommodation?
Yes, you must provide a negative test result and the test must have been performed within the 72 hours prior to entry.

I am traveling to the Canary Islands, but I will be staying in my own vacation home or with friends or family.
In this case, the test is not necessary, but we recommend at least an antigen test before the trip to guarantee everyone's safety.

I have my permanent residence in the Canary Islands. Do I have to present a negative test result if I stay in a tourist establishment in the Canary Islands?
No. You only need to prove that you are a resident of the Canary Islands and make a self-responsible declaration that you have not left the Canary Islands in the 15 days prior to your arrival in the new accommodation and that you have not had any symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 during this timeram.

I will be staying in the Canary Islands for a long period of time. Do I need a test every time I move?
No, you only need to prove from your travel documents that you arrived in the Canary Islands more than 15 days ago and that you had no symptoms that could indicate COVID-19 during that timeram.

Is the test also necessary for departure from the Canary Islands?
No, but it may be that your country requires this test. We recommend that you always check the requirements and recommendations of your country of origin.

Can I take the test in the Canary Islands before I leave?
Of course. There is first class health care in the Canary Islands. In your accommodation you will receive information about the nearest center where you can undergo a homologated test.

4. what security measures are taken in the airport as well as on the plane?
At the airports of the Canary Islands, a health check is carried out on all international travelers. These checks can be a check of temperature, documents or a visual check of the passenger's health. The health control form (FCS) must be presented in the case.

Remember that masks are mandatory at the airport and throughout the flight. Likewise, you should follow all the safety measures mentioned to you by the airline and airport authorities.

We recommend that, if you are able, you check-in online to avoid unnecessary processing at the airport. Remember that many airlines no longer allow carry-on luggage, with the exception of a bag of personal effects that fits under the seat.

5. which airlines fly to the Canary Islands?
These are the airlines that offer direct connections with the archipelago:

6. What do you need to know before coming to the Canary Islands? Security measures
Of course. A great advantage of a trip to the Canary Islands is that you can visit several islands in one trip. The islands are very different and so your trip will be much more varied and exciting.

At present, travel between the islands is normal, with daily connections, so you can easily travel from any island to another, both by plane and by boat. Binter and Canaryfly are the airlines that connect the islands, and Fred Olsen, Armas, Biosfera Express and Líneas Romero are the shipping lines.

7. what should I know before arriving in the Canary Islands? Security measures.
In the Canary Islands, we have worked hard in recent months to ensure that you can spend your vacation with us in optimal safety conditions and with maximum enjoyment.For this reason, we recommend that you use the app RadarCOVID for infection alert to your cell phone, it is available for both iOS and Android. This app will inform you of the risk of exposure to COVID-19 depending on your location.

In addition, you should know the main measures we have taken to ensure your well-being.

General Measures:

• Wearing a mask is mandatory for adults and children over 6 years of age on the street, in open spaces, and in enclosed spaces used by the public (except when eating, exercising, and/or in the event of disability or respiratory illness).
  

• Safety distance (set at 1.5 meters)

• Promoting the use of hygiene products (soaps and hydroalcoholic gels).

• Adequate cleaning and disinfection in all facilities and of all work materials (with particularly intensive cleaning of toilets and similar rooms used by the public).

Specific Measures:

• On public roads, in open spaces and in enclosed spaces used by the public. is mandatory to wear a mask, regardless of the safety distance of 1.5 meters between individuals. In addition, it is not allowed to smoke or use other tobacco inhalation devices if the safety distance of 2 meters cannot be maintained in the process. Smoking is not allowed on public roads.

• Public transportation and/or school buses. Wearing a mask is mandatory for adults and children over 6 years old, except in case of disability or respiratory disease. In tourist buses, seats are assigned.
• Tourist accommodation. The capacity in common rooms is limited depending on the required physical distance, including animation activities and group classes. At the buffets in the hotel restaurants you will be served, at self-service buffets there are partitions in the food displays.
• Beaches, swimming pools and other natural areas. At the accesses to the beaches and swimming pools, as well as during site changes and walks, the wearing of a mask is mandatory. The only exceptions here are bathing or swimming and staying in a confined space without changing location and with the recommended safety distance.  
  

  Some popular beaches have restrictions on capacity (4 m² per person), retention, and access to ensure that spacing is maintained. For natural pools, the size of the water surface is used to calculate the restricted capacity. A distance of two meters must be maintained between groups of sunbeds and umbrellas, and sunbeds must be disinfected after each customer. Cleaning of toilets, showers and foot baths has been intensified. 

  The number of users of swimming pools is limited just like the number of sunbeds. The latter are arranged by family units, taking into account the spatial distance, and are disinfected daily.

  In natural areas outside of urban centers, the mask requirement does not apply as long as the spatial safety distance is maintained.

• Restaurants.  Hotel and catering establishments and terraces, as well as pubs and beach restaurants close no later than 12 o'clock at night, and no new guests are received after 11 o'clock. The minimum distance between tables, groups or to the counter is 1.5 meters, with a maximum occupancy per table or grouping of ten people. Self-service items and/or frequently used items such as napkin rings, sugar bowls and menus have been removed, and menus have been replaced with QR codes, posters or similar means. Tables are cleaned and sanitized prior to table setting.
• Sightseeing and guided tours. Since there are capacity limitations, you must make an appointment in advance (in most cases this is done electronically). In the respective sights, the tours run in one direction to avoid clashes and crowds. We encourage the use of individual audio guides, which are disinfected after each use.
• Shopping. Garments are disinfected after each fitting, and the changing rooms are also frequently disinfected. The installed ventilation systems guarantee sufficient air renewal. We recommend payment with a credit or debit card.
• Cultural activities and events. For the time being, the range of events is limited, but the usual calendar of events in the islands will gradually be reintroduced. Seats in cinemas, theaters and similar establishments are allocated according to the number of members of a household. Security personnel control the entrance and access area to ensure at all times that the spatial distance is respected.
• Spas and wellness centers. These facilities have strict hygiene protocols anyway, which have been tightened even more due to the pandemic. Since their capacities are strictly limited, pre-registration is absolutely necessary here. A towel or bathrobe must be worn in the facilities.
• Fitness center and sports activities. Group activities indoors are carried out with a maximum of 25 people, outdoors with a maximum of 30 people, in order to be able to ensure the physical distance between each participant. Clients are provided with materials for disinfecting equipment and other elements used in the facilities. The use of a towel is mandatory. The installed ventilation systems guarantee a constant renewal of air.
• Golf courses. Games can be played with 4 people as long as the physical distance is respected; caddies and playing partners are not allowed to touch the player's ball. The use of buggies is limited to two people, the carts are disinfected before each use.
• Nightlife. Only those establishments that have an outdoor area are allowed to open. The number of guests is limited to 75% of the usual capacity. Consumption is at the table (not at the bar), dance floors are not yet allowed. Closing time will be no later than 12pm at night, and no new guests will be received after 11pm.
• Active tourism. Outdoor activities involve low risks and are usually conducted in small groups. However, individual sports equipment may not be shared and there are specific cleaning and disinfection protocols.

8. what personal measures should you take to avoid infection?
The Government of the Canary Islands recommends that all citizens take the following personal protection measures:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or hydroalcoholic gel.
• If you have to cough or sneeze, hold a paper tissue in front of your mouth and nose and then throw it into a trash can.
• Keep at least 1.5 meters away from people you do not live with (with or without symptoms).
• Wear a mask on public streets, in open areas, and in enclosed spaces open to the public.

It is recommended that the number of participants in all types of group meetings or gatherings of people not living in the same household in private rooms be limited to a maximum of 10 people, even if the safety distance can be maintained.

9. what to do if you have symptoms during your stay in the Canary Islands? COVID assistance insurance.
If you experience symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath or general malaise, isolate yourself in your accommodation and call 112 so that you can be instructed and referred to the appropriate health center.

Remember that you must always wear a mask in the medical centers of the islands and should not touch anything there.

Because we care about your health and well-being, in the Canary Islands, if you do not have travel health insurance, we offer you free AXA insurance, which covers all costs related to COVID-19covers. Click click on the following link and find out what this offer includes.