More restrictions have been introduced on Tenerife following an increase in COVID cases.

The island will move to level 4 rules from midnight on Sunday, the Canary Islands Government has announced.

Level 4 restrictions mean all over 18s entering hospitality venues will have to show they have been double vaccinated.

It comes amid concerns of increased pressure on the local health service, with a warning to people on the island not to ‘lower their guard’, even if they have been vaccinated.

Neighbouring islands Gran Canaria and La Palma have moved up to level 3; Lanzarote and La Gomera have moved up to level 2, while El Hierro remains at level 1, all with immediate effect.

Canarian Weekly reports Government spokesman Julio Perez said the move was necessary because of a ‘worrying level of the pandemic and pressure on the healthcare system on the island’.

Pérez confirmed that the indicators “will be revised” and that the levels that mark the healthcare pressure in the islands are rising, the basis on which this change in level in Tenerife is based.

Under the new restrictions, closing time at hospitality venues will not change and will remain at midnight. Maximum indoor capacity at these venues will continue to operate at 50%, but everyone over the age of 18 will now need to show they’ve been double vaccinated.

Indoor sporting events are capped at 33% capacity and indoor cultural activities capped at 55% maximum capacity. Anyone attending an indoor event must be double vaccinated.

Perez said: “These are not measures for Tenerife, but for level 4 in the event that any of the other of the islands are moved to level 4 also.”

Minister of Health Blas Trujillo said pressure on hospitals is increasing and that being vaccinated does not mean people cannot infect others.

He warned: “Hence, you should not lower your guard on a day-to-day basis and maintain sanitary measures.”