Sunday, 10 May 2020 11:07

Bars, Restaurants & Small Shops Reopen In Gran Canaria

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Photos Gran Canaria Photos Gran Canaria Gran Canaria enters phase one of de-escalation as Coronavirus case numbers continue to fall

Bars and restaurants with outside tables reopen tomorrow, Monday 11 May, at 50% of their capacity as Phase One of the lockdown de-escalation begins. Groups of up to 10 people can also meet in public places and restaurants (while maintaining safe distances) and small shops can reopen.

Gran Canaria and all of the Canary Islands are amongst the areas of Spain allowed to move into Phase One thanks to low and declining Coronavirus case levels. 

Bars, cafes and restaurants with outside seating can operate at 50% of their normal capacity with two metres between tables and no hand-held menus, serviette dispensers or toothpick holders. Toilets are open but only one person may use them at a time. 

Shops under 400 square metres in area are allowed to open with a limit of 30% of their standard maximum capacity. Shops (and restaureants, bars, etc) within shopping centrees are not allowed to open yet.

The time bands used to separate children from the elderly during Phase Zero remain in place but only for exercise. You can go to a shop or restaurant at any time of day. Shops and restaurants are expected to give priority to the elderly during their alloted exercise times. The time bands have not changed although the Canarian government can change them if they so choose. 

Outdoor sporting venues can now reopen for limited activities and professional athletes and federated sportspeople can do their sports within  their time bands. If you are a registered walker for example, you can drive to a place to walk). If you are not registed with the national federation, you cannot drive to exercise. Fishing is not allowed in Phase One. Outdoor sports companies can now operate again with socvial distancing and small groups. 

Other businesses that can open are car dealerships of any size, ITV vehicle inspection centers and garden centers (by appointment). Churches can reopen at 30% of capacity and small funerals are also allowed (up to 15 people in open air venues, 10 in enclosed ones). 

Gran Canaria residents are also allowed to travel to their second or holiday homes during Phase One but only within the island. 

Street markets can reopen but only with 25% of their normal number of stalls. Hotels can also reopen but their communal areas, such as buffet areas and swimming pools, must remain closed. 

People from the same household can now travel together in the same vehicle or tax i(up to nine seats) without wearing masks. People who live apart may travel in a car with a maximum of two peoploe per row of seats and while wearing masks. 

Read 8170 times Last modified on Sunday, 10 May 2020 11:43
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Tip of the day

  • Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros
    Tip Of The Day: Avoid Bank Card Charges By Paying In Euros

    Save money and avoid rip-off bank charges while in Gran Canaria by paying in euros when using your credit or debit card.

    Many bars and restaurants in Gran Canaria, and in almost all European holiday destinations, give you the option of paying in euros or in your home currency. Opting for your own currency, while it may seem like the safer option, can add as much as 5% to the bill as it triggers dynamic currency conversion. 

    DCC basically means that the exchange rate is calculated at point of sale rather than by your bank. It allows you to see the total cost of the transaction in your own currency but adds up to 5% to the total because it uses a terrible exchange rate. 

    Since the extra money is shared between your bank and the merchant, some places will automatically bill you in your own currency and hope you don't notice. You have the legal right to refuse and void the transaction should this happen. 

    ATMs too

    The same applies when taking money out of ATM machines in Gran Canaria (and anywhere in Europe); Always choose the local currency option to avoid losing money to poor exchange rates.

    If you opt for the local currency option, using bank ATMs is often the cheapest and safest way of getting euros in Gran Canaria. It's far safer than having a big pile of euros hidden in your room or tucked into your shorts.

    More details in this Daily Telegraph article.

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