JULY 2020

Last Updated on Monday, 10 August 2020 01:08 Written by Paul Tassell Monday, 10 August 2020 01:08

July was a very warm month and we saw more easing of the restrictions for corona virus.

The pool is now open again, and most people are respecting the rules this time. The maximum number of people allowed in the large pool is 12 and the number for the small pool is 2. These numbers must be strictly adhered to as the penalties for the community from the government are severe.                                                                                                          We could get a large fine and have our pool area closed down for an unknown amount of time. We are aware of incidents where the inspectors have been visiting sites unannounced.                                                                                                                                            You must also read all the signs at the pool area and make sure you put your apartment number on your preferred time before you enter. If these rules are respected the area should run smoothly.                                                                                                                                  At this time we still cannot use sun beds and personal beds are not permitted .

The canary islands have had a very low incidence of Corona virus, but we are still aware that the re-introduction of tourists can start putting up our numbers.                                    The islands are now seeing immigrant boats arriving daily now, and unfortunately a lot of these people  are testing positive which is  pushing our figures higher.                        When the boats are found the occupants are taken into isolation and the boat destroyed so no harm can come to residents of the islands.                                                                                   We are seeing an increase in numbers around Europe and are just hoping that the numbers stay low on the island’s.

The Heights is very very quiet for the time of year and a lot of the surrounding businesses are still waiting to open,  as is the case with hotels, only about half the hotels are open and their occupancy is very low.

We hope to see many owners later in the year when they feel it is safe to travel again.

Please stay safe  Paul

JUNE 2020

Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 July 2020 12:21 Written by Paul Tassell Tuesday, 14 July 2020 12:21

June was a better month for the Canaries as the Covid 19 cases dropped to a very low level.

We came out of lockdown and into the new normal, face masks must be worn in public places and shops etc. If you are in public and don’t have a mask you could face a 100 euro fine  for the first offence.

We were one of the first complexes to open the swimming pool under the new strict spanish laws and the first week went quite well. However some owners did insist on breaking the law by bringing friends to our pool from outside the complex and taking chairs etc into the pool area . There are plenty of multi lingual signs around the complex to inform you what is allowed but due to these few owners persisting on not respecting the law we had to close it again or face a 15000 euro fine.   We have now re-opened and hope that  it will be better and the offenders will respect the rules this time.                          If we have to close it again I can’t see us being able to open again for a long time.

If you go to the pool you must put your apartment number and the number of people in the time slot on the appointment sheet by the pool.  A maximum of 12 people are allowed in the large pool and 2 in the small pool, this MUST be adhered to.    You may put 2 towels on a red dot on the pool area and if all red dots are taken you must leave the area.     These laws are going to be with us for some time and must be respected.

We still have a problem with noise from barking dogs and dogs defacating on the complex. We are monitoring a few apartments that are persistent offenders and hopefully will soon launch court action against them as they totally disregard our warnings and have no respect for their neighbours or our complex .

One owner bought his dog down to the pool level and when I told him it is not allowed he became abusive and used totally unacceptable language towards me in front of some ladies and small children. No respect at all .

Over the past few weeks we have started to get some tourists back on the island although only half of the hotels are open and many bars and restaurants are still to open their doors. The beaches are open but again under strict laws and are segregated

If you are venturing out to Tenerife this summer please keep safe and abide by the spanish laws and you will have a good holiday but a bit different to what you are used too.

Keep safe   Paul

MAY 2020

Last Updated on Friday, 5 June 2020 05:17 Written by Paul Tassell Friday, 5 June 2020 05:17

May was a very quiet month again in Tenerife. We are still in lockdown, but we have had some de-escalation of the strict rules here and we go into phase 3 next Monday 8th June.

It feels very strange now when we are able to go out that the streets are so quiet, and of course there are no tourists.

Under Spanish law we so have to wear face masks when on public transport, in shops and in the streets, these measures are expected to carry on for some time yet.

We had our first committee meeting for nearly three months on  Thursday, obviously we had a lot to discuss but I can assure you we have still been liaising with Etalina  at Universal properties by phone to resolve problems when they have occurred.

Jose  and Matilda have been working as normal throughout lockdown for which I thank them.

We discussed the opening of our swimming pool, this is going to be complicated but it is possible with your co-operation, but everybody must respect the rules.

It is ONLY residents of the Heights who will be allowed in the pool area.

Only 6 people will be allowed in the large pool at any time and this will be done on an appointment system, there must be a 2 metre distance maintained at all times. People will only be allowed to stay in the pool area for 1 and a half hours at their appointed time they must then leave the pool area.

Only one person is allowed in the small pool unless in the case of a small child they need 1 parent with them for safety.

No inflatables or children’s toys of any kind will be allowed, if you take a drink into the pool area please take the empties away with you and dispose of responsibly.

Sunbeds will not be available at this stage nor will people be allowed to bring sunbeds or chairs into the pool area.

There will be red circles around the pool area at 4 metre intervals, at your allotted time you can place your towel on one of the circles, if there are no circles available you will not be able to go into the pool area.

We anticipate there will be about 12 red circles and it will be up to those people to make sure they do not exceed the six people in the pool at any time.

Children going to the bar area must stay with their parents in the bar area at all times and not run along and play in walkways, or around the toilet and benches. Under spanish law and to avoid transmission of the virus children are not allowed in the pool area without a parent, this law covers the whole complex and also means children must not play in community areas at any time.

We rely on you to respect these rules and if there is any breaking of the rules we will not hesitate to close the pool again, we have to take this very seriously because if the authorities find that the rules are being broken the complex will incur the very heavy fines.

I have been informed that these measures will very possibly be in for the summer months with the possibility of a bit of easing at intervals.

The pool bar is open again and as with the pool Scott has to abide by many rules and is restricted on the number of tables. I wish Scott and Haley all the best with their new venture under these difficult circumstances.

We endeavour to keep the Heights up to a good standard with maintenance and cleaning, but whatever we do we cannot please everybody. I know there have been some complaints about the cleaning, but if you do have an issue with anything regarding the Heights please let us know and we will try to address the problem.

The Corona virus figures in the Canaries are now very low and everybody works hard to keep it that way, we must all wash our hands regularly, stay 2 metres apart and wear masks in public to keep safe.

Our thanks go out again to all key workers all over the world who are proving so important in beating this disease.

Paul