DUBAI holidays are a favourite among many Britons thanks to the guaranteed sunshine in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a major update for Dubai.
Dubai holidays are a popular vacation choice for British tourists. Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic dashed holiday dreams as global travel ground to a halt. Luckily, with the crisis showing signs of easing, countries around the world are slowing relaxing certain measures.
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The UAE is a destination which adopted a number of very strict rules when it went into lockdown.
All inbound and outbound flights were suspended on March 24.
Then, on April 2, the UAE Government announced its decision to renew for a further two weeks the suspension of entry of all UAE Residents who are currently abroad.
However, the country is starting to ease some of its travel restrictions, including allowing people back into the country. This is the latest travel advice.
The FCO has now shared the latest update to British travellers in its travel advice.
“Some foreign residents, including British Nationals, are being allowed to return to the UAE based on criteria set by the UAE authorities,” explained the FCO.
“British residents who wish to return to the UAE will have to get approval from the UAE authorities and should continue to apply online on the UAE Entry Permission Service website.
“This website is not always available from Microsoft Internet Explorer so you should use another web browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox.
“Applications will be assessed by the UAE authorities based on their own criteria and, if approved, you will be issued with a unique reference number.”
“You will need this reference number to book one of the limited flights being operated with effect from 9 May from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi and Dubai by Etihad and Emirates airlines.”
Today, Emirates announced its plan to operate scheduled flight services from May 21 to nine destinations: London Heathrow Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne, subject to government approval.
The airline will also offer connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways announced yesterday that, effective May 15, Etihad will operate a regular scheduled service from Melbourne to London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi, and from May 21 will also introduce services from London Heathrow to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi.
The airline plans to maintain this link until it fully resumes its previous double daily connection between the two cities.
“Further information is available on Etihad Travel Updates and Emirates Travel Updates,” explained the FCO.
“There are also details about additional restrictions for passengers before and during flights and information about what you can expect on arrival in the UAE.
“These flights are sold and operated by Etihad and Emirates airlines so you do not need to contact the British Embassy for any further travel permissions or documentation.
“Please note that the availability of flights may change at short notice.
“Stringent entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival in the UAE which may include, but are not be limited to, a mandatory Health Authority test on arrival, mandatory quarantine for at least 14 days and follow up testing before you can be released from quarantine.
“Once released from quarantine you must continue to comply with all measures put in place by the UAE authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus.”
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