The people of Tenerife can carry out leisure activities in nature, although with the restrictions of groups and schedules own of the alert level 4 health as a result of the pandemic covid-19. This has been decided by the Natural Environment and Security area of the Cabildo through a resolution at the end of last January signed by the councilor Isabel García that updates the conditions of use. Remember that document, based on a technical service report, which 17 recreational areas on the Island are open to public use. in those areas it is possible to use the stoves for traditional chops, although only groups of six people can stay at the tables, and the hours are between 10:00 and 17:00.
All over the Island.
These seventeen natural spaces are distributed throughout the island with a total of 560 tables to enjoy leisure with family or friends. In the Metropolitan Area, El Rosario is located, in the case of Las Raíces, with 56 tables; Llano de Los Viejos, in La Laguna, with 15, or La Quebrada in Tegueste with 18, El Norte has numerous recreational spaces. La Caldera, with 49 tables, and Ramón El Caminero, with 30, both in La Orotava; Arenas Negras, in Garachico, with 36; San José de Los Llanos, in El Tanque, with 38; El Lagar, in Icod de los Vinos, with 24; Las Calderetas in El Sauzal (31); Los Pedregales in Buenavista del Norte (20); Lomo La Jara in Tacoronte (31); Chanajiga, in Los Realejos, (36), La Tahona, in San Juan de la Rambla (38); Hoya del Abade in La Victoria (22) and Lagunetilla Chica in Santa Úrsula (36). These last two areas are only open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. In the southern area, the Cabildo keeps open the areas of Los Frailes, in Arafo, with 38, and Las Lajas in Vilaflor with 42,
Three are still closed.
Only three of the twenty recreational areas managed by the island institution remain closed. Those of Chío, in Guía de Isora, Las Hayas in Icod de los Vinos, and El Contador, in Arico. In the first two cases, the reason is that there are currently not the necessary personnel to guarantee control of the restrictive measures taken as a result of the pandemic. Regarding El Contador, the problem focuses on access difficulties linked to the effects of the fire that hit the forest area of the municipality of Arico in May last year and burned 3,000 hectares.
Restrictions.
Due to the level four health alert in which Tenerife is located, the use of these spaces must be limited to a series of specific regulations. These limitations are based in the first place on a timetable established between ten in the morning and five in the afternoon. The maximum number of people per table depends on the health measures in force at any given time. In this case, users may not exceed the limit of six per group.
camping areas
Regarding the camping areas, the regulations establish that they will remain closed when Tenerife is at alert levels 3 and 4 due to sanitary measures against covid-19. In the rest of the levels, they can be used with prior authorization obtained through the Cabildo Reservation Center. The available places will be adjusted to what the health regulations indicate. Gas cylinders of up to three kilograms may be used and must be installed on a flat surface, devoid of vegetation and nearby objects. It should be remembered that the Reservation Center will remain disabled for the activity of large groups in recreational areas organized by entities and companies, and no type of cultural, artistic, sports, religious, political act or of a similar nature will be authorized in them. The Cabildo manages four camping areas: Las Raíces (El Rosario); Las Lajas (Vilaflor); The Caldera de La Orotava and Arenas Negras in Garachico
Ups and downs due to the pandemic.
The closure and reopening of the recreational areas of Tenerife has been directly related to the ups and downs caused by the evolution of the covid-19 infection data. In this way, after the confinement and the state of alarm, a period in which they were, logically, completely closed, Environment and Security ordered the reopening as of June 27, 2020. Always with the necessary measures to guarantee hygiene and capacity control in these infrastructures. The process was gradual with the collaboration of the State security forces and bodies “to supervise and control these areas, with special attention to weekends.” That Saturday the 27th, the recreational areas of Las Raíces, Llano de los Viejos, La Quebrada, Las Lajas, La Caldera, Chío and San José de los Llanos were reopened. In November of that same year, the Cabildo, in response to the new containment and prevention measures to deal with the covid-19 pandemic on the Island, again closed these leisure spaces in nature for fourteen days. Subsequently, they were gradually reopened in direct relation to the improvement of the data.
Citizen demand.
The citizens of Tenerife have been attentive to closures and reopenings. Hanging out with those closest to you or using the steak as an excuse to get together is part of a culture embedded in the chicharreros. The Minister of the Natural Environment, Isabel García, summarizes: “We activate spaces that are highly demanded by citizens, but we must always remember that it is essential to respect the measures dictated by the Government of the Canary Islands.” It concludes: “We will maintain special attention so that they are fulfilled and we ask the population to take extreme care and attention to the environment.”
Six mandatory standards
The following rules must be respected in recreational areas:
1. Opening hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. The use of stoves and gas cylinders of up to 3 kilos to be installed on the tables is allowed.
3. The maximum number of people per table depends on the sanitary measures in force at any given time (with the current ones there are six) and will be signaled by signs.
4. For hygienic-sanitary reasons, cloth tablecloths or other non-disposable material are recommended.
5. No more people than those indicated on the signs may remain inside each bathroom module. The turn will wait outside, in line and with a separation of at least 1.5 meters.
6. Current health regulations regarding the use of masks and smoking must be complied with. | jdm
