Covid passports will be valid on the Canary Islands from Friday the 10th December until the 15th January, and may be extended beyond that date.
The scheme will be voluntary, allowing bars, restaurants and nightclubs which apply a Covid passport scheme to apply the rules on maximum capacities, closing hours and group size limits that apply to the level lower than the one their island is currently at.
For example, if Lanzarote is raised to Level 2 again later this week, bars and restaurants that do not adopt the Covid passport scheme will have to close at 2am and restrict the number of customers indoors to 50% of maximum capacity. However, those establishments that do apply the scheme will be able to continue at 75% capacity and may close at 3 am. Several other activities are covered by the scheme.
Currently, all islands are at Level 1 (the lowest level) apart from Fuerteventura, which is at Level 3. However, infection rates on Gran Canaria are rising sharply, while Tenerife and Lanzarote are seeing a steadier increase. As a result, there is a possibility that levels may be increased on Thursday, especially given the Canarian Health Service’s nervousness about transmission during the Christmas holiday period.
For that reason, it’s a good idea for businesses that may be affected by level changes to be aware of the passport scheme.
The Covid Passport scheme will require businesses that choose to apply it to scan the QR code provided on the EU Digital Certificate that is issued to all those who are double-vaccinated or have recovered from Covid. Negative test results will also be accepted for a period of 48 hours. It is not yet clear whether UK certificates will be valid under the scheme.
Businesses that wish to introduce the passport scheme can download a free app that will permit them to read the QR codes of clients. The app is called Lector Covid SCS and will shortly be available on Apple Store, Google Playa and Huawei App Gallery. It can also be found at www.lectorcovid.com The passport scheme has been made possible after the Canarian Supreme Court revised its earlier ruling forbidding the measure on Saturday. This decision was clearly prompted by the Spanish Supreme Court’s recent decision to approve of Passport schemes in certain situations.
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