10th Feb 2021 @ 10:02 am

Tías Council has introduced a “GuardianCovid” line where citizens can anonymously report any activities that increase the risk of coronavirus transmission.

The line will permit citizens to report instances of “non-compliance with health protocols, security measures, groupings of people, potential contagions or any other information that may help protect the municipality”. Reports can be made anonymously, with data protection measures in place.

Health councillor Laura Callero said “Restrictions work if people observe them. We must be strict when it comes to mask use, hand washing, distancing and ventilation of spaces, as well as comply fully with isolation when we test positive or have had contact with positive cases. We must make an effort.”

Last month, Tías Mayor Juan José Cruz was highly critical of locals who held large parties over the Christmas period, and this latets initiative signals the Ayuntamiento’s intention to clamp down on any such occurrences. The majority of outbreaks on the island are linked to family gatherings which, as they usually take place in private homes or closed premises, are extremely difficult for the police to detect and control. 

The GuardianCovid page can be accessed by scanning the QR code that appears on posters and publications, or  directly online at www.ayuntamientodetias.es/denuncia-covid/

Cases fall

Lanzarote registered 28 cases yesterday, the lowest total for over a month, and the percentage of positive tests was a hugely encouraging 4.9%. However, there remains a long way to go before the island can return to the way it was before Christmas, when it was one of the lowest risk areas in Europe.

774 active cases remain. Most are under isolation at home, but 55 are in the hospital, with 20 in the intensive care unit. As a result of this high occupancy, the hospital has requested the transfer of “more stable” patients in the ICU to other islands, and one patient has already been flown to Las Palmas.

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