Canaries Government increases capacities for indoor and outdoor events

The Governing Council of the Canary Islands has announced they are to make some restrictions more flexible, and has approved a request to increase the capacity of people in outdoor activities and events to 100% and to 80% in indoor activities in levels 1 and 2. The new regulation will initially be in force until October 31st but may be extended depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the Canary Islands.

The vice president of the Canary Islands, Antonio Olivera, clarified that the modification is subject to a series of conditions. This means that in activities and events being held in outdoor spaces, the maximum capacity allowed will be 100% if the public remains seated, without consuming food, and 90% if the public remains seated and eats. On the other hand, if the public remains standing, the maximum capacity will be 90% and it will not be possible to consume food or drinks.

Regarding the interiors, Olivera pointed out that the maximum capacity will be 80% and it will not be possible to consume food or drinks and the public will not be allowed to stand.

However, there is no change in the regulations for no dancing, no smoking in outdoor venues, and masks must be worn if social distancing is not maintained when standing, so it is easy to see how cultural sit-down town hall events will take place, but what about music festivals or concerts… no dancing, no drinking, sitting down for a DJ?

The Governing Council also debated the creation of a working group between the Government and the municipalities, with a view to organizing festive celebrations and carnivals safely.

The decree for the expansion of capacities and the regulations that must be met have been published in the BOC this morning and come into effect from today:

Capacity: The maximum capacity allowed in outdoor spaces will be 100% of that established and 80% indoors.

Public shows: cultural, recreational, music, and leisure, including sports, that take place sporadically and in places other than the establishments used for the regular exercise of said activity and, where appropriate, those held in demountable or open-air facilities, which are not considered mass events, will be adjusted to the following regime:

- In those held in outdoor spaces, the maximum capacity allowed will be 100% if the public remains seated and does not consume food, and 90% if the public remains seated and consumes food. If all of the attendees are standing, the maximum capacity will be 90% and no food or beverages may be consumed.

- In those that are held in closed spaces, the maximum capacity will be 80% and you will not be able to consume food or drinks, no standing public will be allowed.

Outdoor children's and youth camps: maximum capacity of 80% in outdoor spaces with a maximum of 150 participants including the monitor. In the activities carried out in closed spaces, the maximum capacity will be 60% with a maximum of 60 people including the monitor.

Sports: The practice of federated sports, regional or insular, outdoors or in enclosed spaces, and non-federated sports in the open air is allowed, ensuring the interpersonal distance of 2 metres is maintained, with mandatory use of the mask. The number of participants will be limited by the specific regulations of each sport. The public capacity will be 100% in open spaces and 80% in closed spaces.

Cultural activity that is not considered mass events: This is music events and shows that take place in closed cultural and artistic venues such as theatres, cinemas, music auditoriums, cultural centres, concert halls, exhibition halls, or other places of a similar nature whose ordinary activity is cultural, the maximum capacity allowed will be 80% of that established.

Period: These measures will be applicable until midnight on October 31st 2021, with the possibility of extension depending on the epidemiological situation.