Wendy's Tenerife diary: Thanks to our Mayor, who chips in to provide face masks!

Royton-born mother of two Wendy Muldowney has lived in one of Oldhamers' favourite holiday hot spots for more than 20 years.

Here, she gives the latest update on life for her and other Brits in Los Gigantes Tenerife, as it slowly comes out of severe lockdown which had lasted more than two months.

In her latest weekly instalment, Wendy told us: “And we are out, not completely - but anything is better than nothing.

We can exercise, visit friends, meet in one of the few bars / restaurants that have opened with a 50-per-cent  occupation on their terrace (providing we aren’t more than 10 people together).

We can go to a few local shops, but only about 20-per-cent of the small local shops are open and only about 10-per-cent of the bars / restaurants have opened their terraces.

I live in a small picturesque village that is virtually 90-per-cent dependent on tourism.

All the hotels and holiday accommodation is closed.

I hope that by July or August they will start to open again, if not with international tourists then either locals or from mainland Spain.

In Tenerife as a whole, the large shopping centres are all closed.

We are due to go into phase two of our phased release from our complete lockdown, so that will mean the big shopping centres, beaches and parks will open.

Things are hopefully starting to look better for us.

One thing  stands out when I do actually go out is everyone is abiding by the Royal Decree and respecting the social distancing rules.

Everyone has their face masks on.

It became law that we had to use masks at all times when we leave and are going to be in close contact with other people or in confined spaces.

Even children from six years old have to wear masks.

Fines will be given if not abiding by the rules and the authorities are very strict about this. The fines are from 600€!

The most amazing thing is that our local Mayor, Emilio Navarro, has bought and given out face masks to everyone on the electoral register here in the municipal area of Santiago del Teide, Tenerife.

Should we want to buy more, they are available in the chemist at 0.96€ each.

Obviously we have to keep washing our hands, use our masks, gloves when necessary and respect the rules and one day soon... we will reach the other side and hopefully all my family and friends will be there.

Just stay home, stay safe and hope to see you all again very soon.”

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