Four Spanish islands made history today by becoming the first places in the entire country following the coronavirus outbreak where people can take a swim in the sea.
Formentera in the Balearics, together with La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa in the Canaries, have all entered phase two of the Spanish government's de-escalation plan this morning due to their low incidence of coronavirus.
It means a whole new raft of freedom measures for local residents though anyone who manages to travel into the islands would still be subject to the 14-day quarantine rule.
Activities now allowed include swimming for pleasure in the sea which is still prohibited in all other parts of Spain until they too reach phase one.
Most regions are currently still in phase one but Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza have today asked for special permission to also progress to phase two next Monday.
The Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expects to extend the country's State of Emergency on Wednesday for a period which will probably take Spain up to the end of June by when, he says, the start of the "new norm" will have been achieved.
Police throughout Spain have had to fine thousands of people for breaching the rules and swimming in the sea or in pools although specific zones have been allocated in most regions for aquatic sports.
Phase two will also allow swimming pools to reopen, both inside and outdoors, but there will be strict social distancing and entry rules.
Scientific reports have concluded that there is very little chance of coronavirus being spread in the water due to chemicals already used to keep it clean. They say the greater danger is being too close to people.
Leaders of all four islands say they realise people are desperate to get into the sea again but they have called for caution and responsibility and to avoid physical contact.
Hotel and restaurant premises can now allow people to eat inside the establishments, not just on the terraces, but to a maximum limit of 40 per cent. They are still unable to open nightlife venues and nightclubs.
More people will also be able to attend funerals on the four islands (maximum of 25 people outdoors and 15 in closed spaces) and weddings can go-ahead with 100 guests if outdoors, 50 inside.
People up to 70 years of age are allowed to practice sports at any time, except in the time sections established for the walks of the elderly (from 10am to noon and between 7pm and 8pm).
Groups can carry out active and nature tourism with 20 people, in addition to allowing congresses, meetings, business meetings and conferences to be held without exceeding 50 attendees.
In the field of culture, cinemas, theaters, auditoriums and similar spaces can resume their activity with pre-assigned seats and a limit of one third of capacity and a maximum of 50 people.
El Hierro was thrust into the international news when it suffered an underwater volcanic eruption in the Sea of Calm in December 2011 following more than 4,000 tremors. It is the second smallest island of the Canaries and has a population of just 11,000.
At one stage, it was feared that the whole island would have to be evacuated but it has since bounced back with its natural charm, spectacular diving and near 100 per cent energy efficiency which has placed it on the world map.
La Gomera is the third smallest island of the Canaries and is much favoured by hikers, including the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It does have its own hotels and rural retreats and is also much visited by Brits staying on the bigger islands.
La Graciosa was recently granted official status as the eighth island of the Canaries. The tiny island lies off the northern tip of Lanzarote and its population is just 700.
Formentera lies south of Ibiza and is the smallest inhabited island in the Balearics. It is only accessed by boat and features crystal clear water and pristine beaches.
