The operators of the Santa Cruz Town Hall yesterday began to remove the elements of protection and delimitation (concrete barriers and fences) of the temporary terraces, on public roads, of those restaurants, bars and cafeterias that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and having only interior space, had obtained an express authorization, by Public Services, to attend and serve in the street. Avenida de Los Majuelos, in the Southwest district, was the first point where operators went to start the removal of the terraces, spaces that, on the other hand, just over half of the businesses have chosen to maintain, as as confirmed by the mayor of Public Services, Guillermo Díaz Guerra, who pointed out that the day passed normally.
As for the different businesses on Avenida de Los Majuelos, most of the employees of these premises commented to DIARIO DE AVISOS that they have had a bad time and that the City Council’s measure has prevented them from closing. This is the case of José, from the Conipa 2 Restaurant, who assures that “without a terrace, it would have been difficult to survive, especially during the toughest phases of the pandemic.” His boss has requested authorization to continue with tables abroad.
Nayra, the manager of Bar El Compadre, has submitted the procedures to install a fixed space for 20 chairs. “Although people can enter, they continue to consume a lot outside,” he explains.
In the Manatí cafeteria, Johan says that he wants to continue serving outside “because it is the way that people, who are still afraid of being infected, come to consume”. However, Yoraima, from the El Retorno bar, states that his establishment is spacious: “When it was closed we had no other choice, but now the situation is better and I don’t see it necessary.”
At the moment, in all of Santa Cruz there are 39 businesses that have requested an authorization for permanent occupation of the public domain. These may occupy the sidewalks and roads, with all legality, until the resolution of these procedures.
The mayor of the Southwest District, Javier Rivero, confirmed that many businesses in the district have chosen to maintain the terraces, starting a regularization process. However, they have encountered an added problem and that is that “the manufacture and installation of the materials with which they must make the terraces is being delayed”. There are also several businesses that already have an installed platform, such as the Picasso, on Punta de Anaga street, and on other roads such as Los Alisios, Añaza or Barranco Grande.
