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HORSES

In pics: Tenerife’s blessing of the horses

Enramada beach on the Canary island of Tenerife played host to dozens of horses on Tuesday as part of the annual festival of Saint Sebastian, said to protect animals against disease.

Published: 21 January 2015 13:04 CET
In pics: Tenerife's blessing of the horses
A man rides two donkeys simultaneously during the annual festival of Saint Sebastian, in Tenerife. Photo: Desiree Martin/AFP

The Saint Sebastian festivities in Adeje, a town in the south-west of Tenerife, began at the end of the 19th century and start with a traditional mass and blessing of the saint’s effigy that is then carried on the shoulders of the parishioners to the sea shore.

People traditionally lead their horses down to the water so they can be blessed as part of the ritual, while thousands of people flock from all over the island to watch the proceedings.

Celebrations continue after the blessing, with roadside food shacks setting up offering local delicacies alongside locally produced wine, while folk groups entertain the crowds. 

In pics: Tenerife's blessing of the horses

CANARY ISLANDS

Tenerife closes island as coronavirus infections soar but will still allow tourists

The government of the Canary Islands have decided to ban non-essential travel to the island of Tenerife from Friday after a recent surge in infections.

Published: 17 December 2020 11:32 CET
Tenerife closes island as coronavirus infections soar but will still allow tourists
Photo: AFP

Regional president Ángel Víctor Torres announced the “tough measures” late Wednesday and said the island would be close off to all but essential travel from Friday at midnight.

He said that for a period of two weeks, travel between municipalities on the island should be avoided, that  social gatherings would be limited to six people from a maximum of two households, and the curfew would be brought forward to 10pm.

But while the decision appeared to derail the plans of thousands of holidaymakers who have booked to travel to the island for some winter sun over Christmas, a clarification came from the island’s Health Ministry explaining that tourists were exempt from the ban.

Those already on the island will be allowed to stay on and return home as planned, while new arrivals, both from mainland Spain or elsewhere, will be welcome if they have proof of accommodation booked and a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours.

A spokesperson from Jet2 which is operating holidays to the island said:

“We are aware of news reports regarding Tenerife closing its borders to holidaymakers. We can assure customers that we have received confirmation from the Canaries Government that this is not the case.  Holidaymakers can still travel to Tenerife to enjoy Christmas and their well-deserved holidays in the sunshine.

“Given this welcome update from the Canaries Government, alongside the current FCDO travel advice, we are operating our flights and holidays programmes to Tenerife as normal.”

The cumulative incidence rate over 14 days on Tenerife has soared to 226 cases per 100,000 people from 137 cases a month ago, above the average across Spain which just topped 200.READ MORE: 

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