Infection rates are rising on the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands, which is currently colored dark red on the EU’s infection map.
On Friday, the latest infection figures came from Spain, where 65,937 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.
– Really on time
Tenerife is one of the holiday islands with the highest infection pressure, just beaten by Gran Canaria. Earlier this week, the authorities decided to introduce a red level on the island, which corresponds to the highest level of risk.
– Can not stop living
Tenerife is a well-known holiday gem for many Norwegians, and among those who are in the “infection chaos” are their friends Julie Blystad (21) and Marianne Froknestad (20).
– We have postponed and postponed the holiday. Now it was really time, says Blystad to Dagbladet.
The two have already spent seven days in the heat and are looking forward to another week with plus degrees and sun.
Blystad says that the two enjoy a trip, but that they mostly stay in the hotel areas.
– We have been out and eaten a couple of times, but usually cook at home because we do not want to be infected, she explains.
She says that they went to the bar one evening, but that they quickly went home again.
– We went to a local bar. It was packed and people did not wear face masks. It was completely out of control, and there was no question of staying in the “infection bomb”, the two friends say.
– At the breaking point
Valid corona passport
Blystad has the impression that many tourists are good at complying with the rules when it comes to wearing a face mask, but believes that many locals may have a slightly too relaxed relationship with the measures.
– It does not really feel safe when people do not wear face masks. I’re constantly thinking about it. It makes it harder for us when others do not follow the rules.
In Spain, a valid corona passport is required at the entrance to restaurants and bars. It seems the girlfriends are very positive.
Blystad says that they would usually be more out at bars, restaurants, shops and the beach. Now the two students follow lessons from solsteika and spend the afternoons studying.
Apart from that, there is little that affects the holiday for us, Blystad emphasizes.
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Little worried
Knut Løwengreen is retired and leader of the Scandinavian club in Tenerife, and spends most of the winter in Tenerife with his wife. He reports that many Scandinavians have taken over the holiday island. He himself is not very worried about the increase in infection in the country.
– It’s much worse at home. Here we are out all the time, at home we are inside. We take precautions and use a mask and keep our distance, he says.
Løwengreen thinks it is perfectly fine to comply with the new rules.
– It’s more strict now. The times we are out we can only sit six at each table and not fifteen. Many are good at maintaining it, others are not. We abide by the rules and take care of ourselves. That’s all right, he says.
HIGH INFECTION NUMBERS: – It is worse at home, says Løwengreen who thinks it is unproblematic to stay in Tenerife, despite high infection rates. Photo: Private
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As the leader of the Scandinavian club, Løwengreen is involved in organizing trips for those who want an excursion.
– We have had a break from it, but now we are planning a trip to next Sunday. Now we can use 75 percent of the seats on the bus, and those I have spoken to think it is positive that we start up again, he explains.
Løwengreen has spent many years on Tenerife and reports a good atmosphere on the island. It does not seem that the infection has put an end to the holiday coziness.
– You should look forward to retiring, he concludes and chuckles.
Getting better
Torgeir Vea is permanently stationed in Tenerife and works as a priest and general manager in the local Sjømannskirken. He has been in Spain for three and a half years and lived under a strict lockdown regime earlier in the pandemic.
– Business-wise, it has been closed, which has been a financial burden. It has not been viable, simply, he says.
Now, on the other hand, he views the spring positively.
LIKE HOME: Torgeir Vea points to higher infection rates, but fewer hospital admissions. Photo: Private
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On Saturday, Sjømannskirken arranged a “Saturday porridge”, where about 35 happy Norwegians showed up. Vea explains that in 2019 at the same time it was approx. 100 participants, but that the development still indicates that things are on the road to improvement.
– I think that the situation down here is quite similar to at home in Norway. Infection rates are on the rise, but admissions are declining. I think that the whole “infection carousel” is quite frustrating and that the figures may not say anything about where the real threat lies, he says, but points out that he is not a professional in the field.
Vea says that he experiences that many people have a relaxed relationship with the restrictions, including when it comes to wearing a bandage, but that he himself wants to remain loyal to the authorities.
– People in the environment are aggressive towards looseness. I myself do not allow myself to revolt, but respect the authorities. In terms of pandemics, I’m not worried at all, says Vea, but I think it’s sad that corona passes contribute to segregation in society.
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