The Government has requested an extension of the mandatory use of the COVID certificate

The Ministry of Health has officially requested an extension from the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) for the mandatory use of the Covid Certificate for any islands in Levels 3 or 4, as it currently expires on Monday, January 24th. If it is approved, it will be in force for another month until midnight on February 24th, and will depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the islands.

The mandatory use of the COVID certificate for certain establishments and activities in the Canary Islands came into force on December 25th, initially for one month, during which time it has been subject to monitoring and evaluation, and subsequently, it has been decided to request this extension given the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the Archipelago.

Therefore this request is made after analyzing the report prepared by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands Health Service yesterday, and the decision to raise Gran Canaria and La Palma to Level 4.

This report includes the upward trend of the spread of the virus with no signs of slowing down in the short term since the transmission of COVID has entered a phase of persistent and progressive transmission, with very significant penetration of the Omicron variant in new cases.

Currently, the COVID certificate is mandatory for establishments and activities subject to capacity limits and closing times on the islands at Levels 3 and 4, and does not allow them to benefit from applying lower-level measures.

The objective is to establish exceptional measures to control the health situation of people who access certain establishments, facilities, or activities considered to be at risk for the transmission of COVID, in order to stop its spread.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
The access to establishments, facilities, or activities for public use where the certificate is mandatory, will require proof of the absence of active COVID-19 infection for anyone over 12 years and 3 months old. This accreditation can be carried out in three ways:

- By showing the negative result of a COVID diagnostic test (not self-diagnostic tests) with a maximum of 48 hours in advance.

- By showing an official certificate of having received the complete vaccination schedule in accordance with the provisions of the Vaccination Strategy against COVID-19 in Spain, from 14 days after the date of administration of the last dose.

- By proof of having had the disease between 11 and 180 days prior, with an official certificate.

Certificates can be presented in digital or paper format to the person/persons designated for access control at the establishment, facility, or activity, who will carry out their verification.

At the entrance of the establishments, facilities, or activities, in a visible area, an information poster will be placed for the public on the necessary nature of this documentation for access to it, as well as on the non-conservation of accredited personal health data.

WHERE IS IT REQUIRED:
- Hotel and hospitality establishments open to the public, whose opening license has a capacity of more than 30 people.

- Establishments and nightlife activities, whose opening license has a capacity of more than 30 people, as well as in those others in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food is allowed.

- Gambling venues whose opening license has a capacity of more than 30 people, as well as in those others in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food is allowed.

- Events, celebrations, and music festivals attended by more than 500 people, as well as those others in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food or drink is allowed.

- Sporting events attended by more than 500 people, as well as those in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food or drink is allowed.

- Public shows attended by more than 500 people, as well as in those others in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food or drink is allowed.

- Cultural activities in cinemas, theatres, auditoriums, and the like, whose opening license has a capacity of more than 50 people, as well as in those others in which, regardless of their capacity, the consumption of food or drink is allowed.

- Gyms and sports facilities.

- Health establishments and centres for visits to admitted patients, as well as to accompany people to consultations, diagnostic tests, cures or treatment, except in the cases of minors, disabled people, dependents or people whose health circumstances or any other type require them, at the discretion of the health personnel of the centre or establishment.

CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED IN INTERIORS AND OUTDOOR SPACES:
The establishments and activities in which it will be required are those that offer the greatest risk of contagion, usually related to leisure activities, or those in which there is a special relationship with vulnerable people, as is the case of health or social health establishments.

It is required to use either indoor or outdoor spaces, e.g. a bar or restaurant terrace.

SCS READER APP:
At the beginning of December, the Ministry of Health made the COVID SCS Reader app available to the public, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store, Google Play, and Huawei App Gallery, in order to facilitate the use of the Covid Certificate in all establishments and activities necessary.