Spanish island relaxes more Covid rules from today

GRAN Canaria has relaxed more of its Covid restrictions today, making it easier for people to socialise.

The Canary Island was on the highest level of Covid alert – Level 4 – but as of midnight this morning, it has been reduced to Level 3.

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The change means that groups of up to 12 people can sit at a table in a restaurant in Gran Canaria, compared to just eight under Level 4 rules.

Hospitality venues, such as restaurants and bars, can stay open until 4am instead of 3am and nightclubs can operate at 100 per cent capacity outside, compared to 75 per cent.

Gran Canaria follows in the footsteps of Tenerife and La Palma which were downgraded from Level 4 to Level 3 last month.

The change will come as good news to Brits with plans to go to the Spanish island in the coming weeks.

However, the islands’ Covid levels may not last much longer, as Spanish health experts have announced it’s likely they’ll ditch all restrictions by June.

The Canaries have been operating under a traffic light system since the pandemic began, depending on case numbers and hospital occupancy.

But now, the general director of Public Health José Juan Alemán has revealed the traffic light system will “disappear before long”.

As reported in local media, he told Spanish radio station COPE Radio: “Before long the traffic light of alert levels in the Canary Islands is going to disappear.”

Additionally, Spain has changed its entry requirements to allow some unvaccinated Brits to enter.

People who recovered from Covid within the last 180 days are now able to visit Spain, even if they’ve only had one of zero jabs.

The news will be welcomed by unvaccinated Brits with plans to head abroad during the Easter holidays.

Spain has also relaxed some other Covid travel rules in time for Easter, as the Balearic Islands have ended most of their restrictions due to an improvement in Covid cases.

And it’s not just Spain relaxing Covid restrictions – Dubai no longer requires tests from vaccinated arrivals along with Italy and Cyprus.

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