Ian Lane reports on the all-or-nothing finale to one of the strangest, most frustrating seasons ever experienced by Arrecife’s UD Lanzarote.

April saw Lanzarote finally recover from the huge spike in cases that occurred post-Christmas and, at the time of writing, the easter holidays appear to have had only a slight effect on the number of active cases on the island. Now, all eyes are on the race to vaccinate and reduce infections for the possible return of tourism.

“During the first wave it took three months for the beds to be filled. Now, in just two weeks, the entire hospital is full. there has been an incredibly swift exponential growth, like a tsunami that has overwhelmed India's health system.”

The Canary Islands were yesterday classed as amber (medium risk) on the European Centrre for Disease Control's colour-coded map of Europe. This classification is hugely important for the prospective opening of travel corridors with other European countries.

The horrifying discovery of a fishing boat containing the bodies of 24 African migrants, two of them minors, has once again highlighted the dangers of the “Canarian Route”.

Spain will reopen its doors to international tourism in June, and the proposed Green Digital Certificate that shows when a person has been vaccinated, recently tested or has recovered from Covid-19, will be a key tool.

The incidence of coronavirus on the Canaries is now falling consistently, although whether it will reach levels that permit inclusion on the UK's green list in time for May 17th remains debatable.

The Canarian Coastal Demarcation Department has rejected a proposal to build a cable-ski centre in the lagoon at La Santa.

Lanzarote tenants spend almost a third of their income on rent, according to a recent report by El País. The worst-affected municipality is Yaiza, where 39.8% of income is paid in rental, and three other Lanzarote municipalities; Tías, Tinajo and Haría, also feature in the top 109 “stressed rental markets” out of more than 8,000 municipalities in Spain.

A new amendment to the Covid restrictions on the Canary Islands means that bars and restaurants who serve customers indoors must keep a register of their details.

Reports that the Canarian President, Ángel Victor Torres, has claimed that the Canaries will be on the UK's green list for travel are premature.

Great news at Arrecife’s Hospital Jose Molina Orosa yesterday as occupancy of the intensive care unit went down by one.

The Canarian Health Service has informed all residents on Lanzarote who were born between 1952 and 1961 that they can request a vaccination appointment by calling 928 595 266 or 928 595 401.

Spain's Congress will today vote on a proposed amendment of the Civil Law which will recognise animals as sentient beings, rather than property.