The government has removed Dubai from its travel corridor list following an increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases identified in passengers who have flown into the UK from Dubai since the New Year.
Scotland was the first to introduce the new measures, asking anyone returning from Dubai to Scotland after 4am on Monday 11 January, 2021, to quarantine for 10 days. And anyone returning from the remainder of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on or after 4am on 12 January to isolate for 10 days.
Those who travelled to Scotland from Dubai since 3 January have also been asked to isolate, starting from the day they arrived back in the country.
England followed suit shortly after and removed the UAE and Dubai from its travel corridor as well. The UK government then announced that anyone returning from the UAE, including Dubai, to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales from 4am on Tuesday 12 January 2021 must also isolate for 10 days.
The UK is currently under a travel ban, and Brits have been advised not to leave their homes unless for legally permitted reasons. Although, it’s been reported that people have managed to get around the restrictions by abusing privileges and using work as an excuse for travelling.
However, as a result of the sheer number of Brits currently in Dubai and increase in the number of Covid-19 infections, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has been forced to update its travel guidance and advise against all but essential travel to the emirates.
The tightening in restrictions now means that anyone who travels to the UAE without evidence that their trip is essential will, in most cases, not be covered by their travel insurance provider for any claims submitted, as they are travelling against government advice.
Anyone who absolutely must travel for unavoidable work purposes should discuss the matter with their travel insurer beforehand and be prepared to be questioned and, in some cases, asked to provide evidence to prove that the trip is essential.
