Brian Taylor
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thanks Christine, good to know expresstest at Gatwick is good
(for members in Scotland the same company operate at Edinburgh – and for everyone, they are rolling out to 30 sites across UK)I hope you have a great time at Anfi, so much quieter than usual when we were there a few weeks ago. And you missed the few rainy days at the beginning of the month!
For restaurants Pam & I walked round to Valentinos and Montesmar at Patalavaca, and though we didn’t use them Cabosuroeste is open and, on some days, Sagitario. By taxi or car Palm Garden well worth a visit. Or in Puerto Rico the new ones in the new-ish Mogan Mall.
Taxis at Anfi a bit thin on the ground though plenty waiting for work in Puerto Rico and Arguineguin
Regards, Brian
There are two articles Which? published recently which may be of interest about travel and tests and appear to be available without membership of Which?
– travel to the Canary Islands and entry requirements
– where to get a PCR or antigen test
the company providing tests at Gatwick and Edinburgh come out lowest cost and are rolling out to 30 sites across UKthe 7 day incidence across the islands has gone up close to 50 per 100,000 now. The overall rate is pulled up by the high rate in Tenerife and the islands government is brining in restrictions in Tenerife to bring the increase under control
If the rate exceeds 50 the German government will class as high risk, and perhaps we may see a change from UK government too – even though these rates are well below the rates in UK and Germany.– 7 day rates – 47 overall at the time of writing this, 80 in Tenerife, 24 in Gran Canaria. In Gran Canaria 1060 active cases mainly in Las Palmas, in Mogan only 6.
the Canary Islands government is moving to approve antigen tests but is seeking approval from the Ministry of Health – Spain had required PCR tests, but then EU suggesting no tests for travellers within EU countries & the islands want antigen tests for travellers – Canary News
The Spanish government is reported to be supporting the islands request to use antigen as alternative to PCR tests
Arguineguin pier is reported to be clear of migrants for the first time in 3 months – Canarian Weekly
In a further update today the Canarian Weekly reports on action taken by the police regarding the 10 complexes in Mogan housing 3,200 migrants. Also reporting a march on Friday by 1,000 people in Puerto Rico asking for the migrants to be housed in alternative facilities.
https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/protest-leads-to-sanctions-complexes
Canarian Weekly report that the Canary Islands government hope to have an agreement in place next week to accept antigen tests as well as PCR tests
I see the UK government is reported as removing international travel restrictions from 3rd December for England – though tier 3 are advised not to travel outside of area. This will be a relief to members in England planning to travel & may open up some short term opportunities to rent out December weeks.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
“From 5 November to 2 December 2020, travelling away from home, including internationally, is restricted from England except in limited circumstances such as for work or for education. Different rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Do check the government website for any updates to the statement or the details
showing the 7 day incidence of COVID cases and how they have come down from the peak
If you are interested on how the virus can spread El Pais has published diagrams and modelling for spread in a room, a bar and a classroom – on this link – a useful article if you like that kind of information
one example:-
Irrespective of whether safe distances are maintained, if the six people spend four hours together talking loudly, without wearing a face mask in a room with no ventilation, five will become infected, according to the scientific model explained in the methodology.Hi Robert
Sorry to hear about your week and situation – hopefully 2021 will work out better. When Pam &I tried to book a few weeks ago for March the availability was quite limited, especially 2 beds, so we went for a one bed, and only Monte had availability.
As a small gesture I’ve just refunded your advert fee, and emailed you. We will be contacting other members by email about refunds.
If the government allows travel we may see a pick up in December – though suspect people will leave it late to book. I hope other airports do as Gatwick have just done and bring in lower priced PCR tests (or perhaps the Canary Island government and travel industry campaign will work and antigen tests will be accepted!)
The Boots price at £120 adds a lot – Gatwick are doing for £60 for travellers and results back the next day.
(for anyone interested see separate post about Gatwick)Kind regards, Brian
Good news for those travelling from Gatwick – Gatwick are opening a PCR testing service from 30th November – https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-services/coronavirus/
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from Friday 27 November you will be able to book a Covid-19 screening test via ExpressTest, with the first appointments available from Monday 30 November.The site, located within the Long Stay Car Park in Gatwick South Terminal, will offer a fast and accurate lab-analysed PCR swab test. Air passengers and any employee based at Gatwick Airport can book a test for a reduced rate of £60. It is also available to the general public for £99. A group discount is also offered, with up to 30% off for groups of four or more, for those who are booking the full priced test.
When arriving for your appointment follow the signs for South Terminal Long Stay Car Park, and then signs for ExpressTest. Staff on site will direct you through the drive through facility and you will be swabbed while you remain in your car.
You will typically receive your results via text or email by the end of the following day, along with a Fit to fly certificate. If you plan to use this fit to fly certificate for travel, you must check with your airline before booking the test if it meets the specific requirements of your arrival destination.
To book a test (Booking portal goes live on Friday 27 November), visit http://www.expresstest.co.uk and select a date and time. You will receive a QR code which you must present at your appointment, along with your passport or employee ID.
This facility is for air passengers who may require a valid, negative test certificate. If you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms please contact 111 and follow NHS advice.
The Canary Island government are reported to be hopeful of agreeing an antigen test for travellers entering the island from the 2nd December – report on the Canarian Weekly
Is they succeed it will certainly reduce the cost of travelling to Anfi, or anywhere in Canary Islands
Hi Christine
My heart goes out to you for the situation you are in, and Anfi’s response.
You may well be able to go 7th December if full (English) lockdown ends. EasyJet are actually fully booked from Gatwick on flight out 3rd December.When I saw Anfi’s email “offer” I immediately queried with my committee colleagues on the Anfi liaison committees, whether Anfi were “profiting” from members who cannot go and renting out their weeks – and if so where does that money go, as it should go to those losing out!
Initial reply is that the liaison committees were not consulted about the offers and that they believe the weeks offered are weeks held by Anfi sales i.e. are not unused members weeks. A query to Anfi about this is underway.
I do feel Anfi are out of line here and should have made it clear that the weeks offered are from Anfi Sales (if they are) – and if Anfi have unused weeks from members then, if members can’t go and Anfi can rent out, great as long as the weeks owner gets some money back, a win win if open and honest process.
You can of course try to rent your week, but at present rentals are slow and I suspect only being taken up last minute.
As a small gesture we will be refunding members renting weeks at short notice for the coming weeks, and also offering free rentals for those who advertised earlier this year and got caught up in the closure and later quarantine/lockdown issues.
I will email all members about this offer/rebate in the next week or so.Regards, Brian
Hi Diane
I’ve had the same email – I clicked through and seems genuine – you could always call AVC or Customer Services to check as numbers are in email (see copy below) – you can book online or via their website if your are interested in the offer (sadly too late for me as got just back last Saturday, after 4 weeks at Anfi, and AVC were charging 900€ for extra weeks 2 or 3 weeks ago)
Others on committee have had same email
I’ll reply on Christine’s post separately, we think the weeks are surplus weeks held by Anfi Sales, but have yet to get confirmation.
Kind regards, Brian
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Early Black Friday offer from Anfi – extend your holiday time in paradise!
We’d like to thank you for your continued trust… Anfi Bright Friday has arrived!
You don’t have to wait any longer; you need a break and the chance to disconnect on holiday, so don’t hesitate and pack your bags! We now have a unique offer which gives you the opportunity to prolong your holidays and enjoy Anfi with the family this year (before the 28th of December and apart from your reservations for 2021), for a super special price: from € 420 per week.
Enjoy a well-deserved extra week, in the safest destination in Europe, with the maximum guarantees of health and safety, endorsed by the prestigious multinational consultancy HS Consulting.
HOW DO I BOOK? …IN 3 EASY STEPS:
1. Hit the “reserve” button below and complete the form
2. Get in contact today with the department indicated below, where you will be informed about the conditions of the offer and the availability:
Members of Anfi Vacation Club
Email: vacationclub@anfi.es o Tel: (+34) 928 152 990 / Select language / Option 2Non-Members of Anfi Vacation Club
Email: customerservice@anfi.es o Tel: (+34) 928 152 990 / Select language / Option 13. Start to pack your bags!
There are a limited number of weeks available on this deal so don’t let this unique offer pass you by!
ReserveOffer conditions:
• This offer is valid for reservations between the 17th of November 2020 and the 28th of December 2020
• This offer is valid for Members who have paid their maintenance invoice for 2021
• Payment of this special price reservation must be made through the virtual POS link, up to a maximum of 15 calendar days before the arrival date
• Cancellation of this extra reservation can be made up until the day before arrival – the full amount of this promotional week will be refunded
• This special promotion is subject to availability and confirmation in writing from the Anfi Group
We look forward to welcoming you very soon!
Anfi Groupthe earlier post (this link) gives Anfi’s statement of 11th November – this has not yet been updated to reflect the later Spanish government rules about PCR that apply from 23rd November, as Roger has detailed above.
Brian
A reminder to members planning to travel after 1st January – your passport will need at least 6 months left on the day you travel. Please check latest on the government website
And please allow ample time to receive your passport – online renewals are currently saying 3 weeks, though there are a lot of people who may decide to renew early i.e. anyone travelling in January who’s passport expires by July, February by August etc
Also, depending on final Brexit agreement, you may need international drivers licence – please check the government website for details and latest info.
And look at the section on healthcare and travel insurance as the EHIC card only works to 31st December – EHIC covers pre-existing conditions so you need to check your replacement health insurance covers pre-existing conditions, as many insurance policies do not.
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Passports: check if you need to renew
You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021.On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:
- have at least 6 months left
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)
If you do not renew your passport, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
You can check whether your passport is valid for the country you’re visiting.
further information from Spanish government on the PCR requirement required from 23rd November – info
Spain has released a statement and the new PCR test requirement for travellers from at risk countries will apply from 23rd November
Translation to English as copied below————————————–
Spain will require international travellers from high-risk countries to have a negative PCR in the last 72 hours
This measure will be collected in the Health Control Form and is added to the controls that are already carried out at the moment, such as temperature control and visual control
When the Form has not been completed electronically, through the QR code generated through the web http://www.spth.gob.es or the Spain Travel Health-SpTH application, it may be submitted in paper format before boarding
This new measure complies with the EU Recommendation 2020/1475, which seeks to end the disparity in the health control models implemented by the countries of the European Union
November 11, 2020 .- Spain will require international travelers from risk countries to have a negative PCR within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain in order to enter the country.This measure is in addition to the health controls that are currently being carried out on all international passengers at the points of entry. Thus, temperature control and visual control are maintained.
For its part, as a novelty, the Health Control Form that all passengers must complete before entering the country, will from now on collect a question about whether they have a negative PCR performed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain. . At any time, the passenger may be asked to accredit the test result. The document must be the original, written in Spanish or English and may be submitted in paper or electronic format.
When the Form has not been completed electronically, through the QR code generated through the website www.spth.gob .es or the Spain Travel Health-SpTH application, it may be submitted in paper format before boarding. In this case, it must be accompanied by the original document certifying the performance of the diagnostic test.
Those passengers who, after carrying out the temperature, visual or documentary controls, it is determined that there is a suspicion that they may suffer from Covid-19 must undergo a diagnostic test at the airport, upon arrival in Spain.
Risk countries
For the designation of risk areas or countries that will be required to carry out a PCR, in the case of European Union countries and Schengen associated countries, the criteria contemplated in EU Recommendation 2020/1475 will be taken as a reference. , of October 13 , on a coordinated approach to restricting free movement in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regarding third countries, the basic reference will be the basic incidence accumulated per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days, supplemented with the capacities implemented as contemplated in the International Health regulations, based on the information provided by the European Center for Prevention and Disease Control (ECDC).
Travel agencies, tour operators and air or maritime transport companies and any other agent that markets tickets must inform passengers of the obligation to have a PCR with a negative result in order to travel.
This new measure complies with the EU Recommendation 2020/1475, which seeks to end the disparity in the health control models implemented by the countries of the European Union.
The resolution that establishes these new controls will be published tomorrow in the Official State Gazette and will enter into force on November 23.
Hi Ian
Sorry to hear no resolution. The likelihood of rental at this time as you might expect, is low. Though there are more people from Germany and Denmark out here.
The only statement is if you log into Anfi’s member area they have letter stating Beach will not open until at least 28th November. Though they do say members will be transferred to Monte or Gran.
Kind regards, Brian
Covid tests for arrivals from 14th November
Anfi have recently published information confirming the Canary islands government decision to require Covid test prior to arrival – see text below and pdf version on this link (test could be PCR or antigen as originally stated by Canary Island government)
Since then the Spanish government has decided that from 23rd November, any travel to Spain from high risk areas will need a PCR test and that antigen tests will not be accepted – see Canary News article
Originally it looked as though you could travel and take an antigen test for about 25€ in Gran Canaria – it now appears that at least from 23rd Nov only PCR tests will be accepted
If you read Anfi’s letter it is not clear what happens if you turn up without test, then test positive.Recent news reports say the travel industry is trying to get the Spanish government to accept antigen tests as the industry fear the lack of availability and cost of PCR tests will restrict tourism.
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ANFI GROUP, Barranco de la Verga s/n, E-35120 Arguineguín, Gran Canaria, Spain, Tel (+34) 928 152 990, E-mail info@anfi.es, http://www.anfi.com
Canary Islands – A Safe Destination!
Dear Member
The Canarian Government has decreed in the law 17/2020 of 29th October the following, which comes into force for all arrivals from the 14th November 2020.To maintain the archipelago’s low incident rate for the pandemic and guarantee the sustainability of our tourist activity, all visitors over the age of six arriving to the islands must present a certificate that is officially recognised by the healthcare authorities to show that they have tested negative for active COVID-19 infection in the past 72 hours.
This certificate will be required to check into the Anfi clubs and any other tourist accommodation on the islands. The certificate must show the following information:-
1. The date and time the test was taken
2. The identity of the person taking the test
3. The laboratory responsible for the verification and the nature of the laboratory
4. The negative result
Please remember that a certificate is required for each of the members travelling in your party and who are over the age of six.This certificate will not be required for visitors who show proof that they have been in the Canary Islands for the 15 days prior to the check-in date in Anfi and that they have not had any symptoms of COVID-19 during that time.
Tourist establishments are required to refuse entry to anyone who does not comply with the above request for a certificate. Only in exceptional cases, will members be allowed to check-in and to take a diagnostic test in an authorised centre on the island, if they have not been able to do so before travelling. If this is the case, members will be allowed to check in and stay for the minimum time required to get your results, although you will be required to stay in your apartment until the results are received.
In case of inspection by the authorities, a copy of the certificates pertaining to the members in your party will be kept on file in the reception until your departure date and information regarding the protection of your personal data will be supplied at check-in.
We recommend downloading the RADAR COVID contagion notification app and keep it enabled on your mobile during your stay in the islands and for the 15 days immediately following your return to your place of origin.
• ANDROID: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.gob.radarcovid&hl=es&gl=US
• IOS: https://apps.apple.com/es/app/radar-covid/id1520443509
We look forward to welcoming you very soon!
Anfi Group-
This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by
. Reason: confirmed date as 23rd November
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This reply was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by
Just rechecked EasyJet and flights on 3rd Dec are sold out, there are flights 5th Dec – and the return prices for mid December have some really good prices
Hi Christine
Just a couple of ideas to add to Rogers – if you have AVC weeks you can bank your week. If you bought resale and have fixed weeks your options are limited.
As the government is putting a lot of hope in university students going home 3rd – 9th Dec after testing I think there is a real chance of English lockdown ending on 2nd, at least for a while.
EasyJet currently have flights scheduled from the 3rd Dec, though they don’t fly back on 14th though they do 15th & 17th/18th/19th (Gatwick) – if Anfi will move your days as Roger mentioned then you could get your two weeks, and if not get 10 days.
Do consider trying Customer Services, they were helpful for Pam & I.
Also if they won’t move your date they are “renting” extra days which you could use to extend your stay, or match to your flight.If lockdown is extended EasyJet are likely to cancel all but Saturday flights.
You could try renting out though at present I think rentals are only being taken up last minute because of the uncertainty, and very few enquiries recently.
It is very quite at Anfi, I’ve been out for last 3 weeks, and it is a bit weird, though nice if you like a quiet time with none of the buzz.
Good luck
Regards, BrianA photo of the larger coastguard ship off Anfi this morning – it is now out at sea, there are two smaller boats in the Arguineguin harbour.
Some apartment blocks in Puerto Rico have been used for accommodating migrants – the Holiday Club ones opposite Las Olas commercial centre have all been used (the commercial centre itself appears closed and its car park was locked off today) and there is also another block further up the hillside from the centre of Puerto Rico on the opposite side to Las Olas.
