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 6970 times Last modified on Sunday, 10 May 2020 11:43
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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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