Balearic and Canary Islands tighten Covid rules – including only two people at restaurants and clubs at 25% capacity

THE Balearic and Canary Islands have tightened their Covid rules again as cases soar.

Brits with plans to visit the islands will be subject to harsher restrictions as Spanish authorities desperately try to curb the spread of Omicron.

The Balearic and Canary Islands have tightened their Covid rules as cases soar Credit: Alamy

The Balearic Islands, including Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, are on Level 3 Covid alert – the second highest risk level.

Under Level 3 rules, only two people can sit together at a restaurant, regardless of whether they are from the same household.

According to schengenvisainfo.com, the rules stated: “Only seated eating is permitted. Maximum two people in a group with a distance of 1.5m between groups. Closing time: midnight.”

Canary Islands Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria are on the highest level of Covid alert at Level 4, and restrictions are increasing.

Nightclub capacity is being slashed to just 25 per cent and beaches are limited to 50 per cent capacity, with appointments required for people who want to visit the beach.

A maximum of six people can meet up indoors or outdoors and residents and visitors are not allowed access to spas and saunas.

Covid passports must be shown to get inside all establishments.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura remain on Level 3.

Currently, Brits must have had two vaccinations to enter Spain, however, from next month that rule is changing.

From February 1, Spain will only permit Brits who can prove they were fully vaccinated against Covid within the last 270 days to enter.

Anyone who received their second dose more than nine months ago must have had a booster to be allowed in.

The booster must have been given more than 14 days before travelling.

This could be a headache for Brits with half-term plans, who will need to have had their booster by January 31 if they plan on visiting Spain during the school holidays.

The Spanish hospitality industry has been hit hard by Covid restrictions in recent months, which prompted thousands of Brits to cancel holiday plans in the lead up to Christmas.

Benidorm is facing its worst start to a new year, with around 50 per cent of its hotels closed due to a massive drop in tourists.

But there is some hope for half term holidaymakers, as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that all Covid tests for vaccinated Brits will be scrapped from February 11.

These are the 34 countries Brits can enter without needing any Covid tests – and the 38 countries Brits are banned from entering due to Covid rules.

In the Balearic Islands, only two people can sit together at a restaurant, regardless of whether they are from the same household Credit: Rex Features