KeaneJohn

Typically it’s Saturday it might be instant if it’s serious like Denmark and I can’t remember if South Africa was instant. K

mikeyfly

True, and that would likely be tricky for all those on essential business trip that probably won't have finished their essential business....

Globaliser

Denmark was instant, IIRC; and some Greek islands were changed mid-week (out of cycle) in early September.

BAeuro

UAE has just been removed from the Travel Corridor List. You will need to isolate if arriving after 4am on 12th Jan.

Globaliser

This kind of risk is exactly what led to me booking a ticket for one flight every day when a family member had to go to a Greek island last September - although even that would not have got around this kind of instant removal. (And I've ended up with six separate FTVs, each mostly composed of Avios.)

TGLoyalty

Give it a few hours and expect avios inventory to open up then!

though 5 days and £79 might not put that many off.

oceanscape

Doubt it, the kind of people breaching lockdown to travel to DXB in the first place are likely the same kind of people who will breach self-isolation requirements.

Duck1981

Thats it for my 380 flight in April....

moral_low_ground

I understand the reason for the UAE being removed but if the UK had required negative PCR tests before travel sooner then probably far fewer cases would have been imported to the UK - starting on Friday seems a definite case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I was due back in the UK on the 19th which I moved to the 15th. Therefore this announcement means I won't be coming back and will stay in the UAE/Saudi. For people like me who work abroad, snap decisions like this make life even more difficult and I don't see why giving 36 or 48 hours notice would not really affect things materially given the massvie positive count already in the UK.

KeaneJohn

Despite our inept Government playing whack a mole with restrictions there is history of immediate restrictions (Denmark, SA, some GREEK islands), of having immediate and retrospective quarantine imposed. Indeed said Government did say that overseas travel (in a global pandemic) would be risky and if your leisure or current business travel was critical and essential then expect short notice changes.

I don’t think our current Government have much wiggle room however with the rapid rise in cases/deaths at the moment and we’ve not reached the peak hence their immediate action.

Im also surprised that the UAE have continued to allow a high risk country in such as the UK however I expect the social media exposure and tourism £££ from ‘influencers’ and the associated publicity attached too much of an incentive. That said however in the last 24-48 hours they have been forcing Brits to test on arrival despite the fact that arrivals had a negative PCZr test result with people being quarantined in their room until the results received. I expect a couple of shock tests results giving arrivals an enforced stay at a UAE quarantine facility.

UKTraveller4Fun

I do agree that they would go regardless. Hasn't the FCDO advised against all but essential travel however making most travel insurance invalid? Hopefully this may stop a few going as I really wouldn't fancy being in Dubai without any valid insurance!!

KeaneJohn

Whilst I know this is a frequent flyer forum when theres People questioning the risk of travel with frontline NHS staff that had 20 covid deaths at the weekend and people saying that IF you were caught in the illegal act of travelling to the airport the penalty is only £200 this will be of little consequence especially as I believe Battleface will provide cover even if FCDO say don’t travel.

DYKWIA

I don't think I've seen it mentioned on here before, but UK and Germany no longer qualify for just a test on arrival. You need a test 96 hours before as with other countries.

https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/...ents/tourists/

Wozza2404

There's evidence on forums that DXB are mandating testing on arrival as well now for all UK arrivals - so PCR before departure and on arrival.

DYKWIA

Yep - I've seen that in a few places.