Tag: Minister

Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine

The Canary Guide Día de Canarias #WeekendTips 26-28 May 2023

 
What an interesting last weekend of May ahead. Weather predictions are showing some rain showers are likely across Gran Canaria. This extended #WeekendTips covers up to Tuesday, when all things Canarian are celebrated on the Día de Canarias. There’ll be some gorgeous Patron Saints’ festivities happening in San Fernando de Maspalomas as well as in Valleseco.

Fun Fact:
Valleseco literally means “dry valley” in Spanish, but is actually one of the wettest municipalities Gran Canaria. Nestling between the famous fresh water sources of Firgas & Teror, half way up the island’s mountainous northern slopes, this area is well known for its apple growers, cider and its weekly market

Six weeks since the unexplained disappearance of Anna-Karin on Gran Canaria

The authorities on Gran Canaria have been engaged in a rigorous search for Swedish tourist Anna-Karin Bengtsson, who went missing in the south of Gran Canaria around April 9. Her unexplained disappearance has caused her family much distress, with no clues to her whereabouts having emerged in the six weeks since they first realised her phone was no longer functioning.

The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 19-21 May 2023

 

An exciting May weekend ahead with abundant events and festivities taking place all around Gran Canaria. There are Patron Saints’ festivities for Motor Grande, in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, and in El Tablero in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and up in the mountains of Artenara. There is also a two day lively exhibition event in Meloneras boulevard and the Rally Gran Canaria is held this Friday and Saturday.

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Spain’s Tourism Minister insists that, at the moment, only PCR tests are allowed for travel from high risk areas

Spain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, has insisted this Monday afternoon that, at the moment, the European Commission (EC) “only PCR tests” are allowed on international travel from high risk areas.
That is why, in the Public Health in Spain resolution, which was issued two weeks ago and came into force on November 23, only PCR tests have been included for all international travellers, as the only one recognised right now by the European Council, Maroto explained at the end of the international conference held this Monday on the Canary Island of La Palma.

However, taking into account that other tests are being used not only in the Canary Islands, but also in some destinations on the mainland,  and are already recognised as having shown high reliability for the control of the pandemic, including antigen tests or serological tests, the Government is working with the European Union to incorporate them, she said.
However, at this time, “we still do not have this authorisation and when it occurs, of course the Government’s intention is to increase the range of diagnostic tests for active infection,” she insisted.
In her opinion, this will not only facilitate better control of the pandemic, but will also give greater accessibility to these tests so that they can be used for tourism flight corridors and other international travel, she added.

Many tourism businesses are banking on the EU accepting the recommendations of the European Council to include these tests before the Christmas holidays, and preferably to coincide with the relaxation of restrictions currently in force in the UK and other European source markets.  The EU leaders have made clear they are searching for common standards to allow this to happen.  The next EU leaders meeting is scheduled for December 10, but many are hoping for an announcement in the coming days.
We will keep you posted when we hear more.

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