Dubai is a popular sunshine hotspot for UK travellers, but holidays have been few and far between since it was placed on the red list in January. However, in a major development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to be placed onto the amber list from Sunday, August 8, 2021.
Under amber list rules, fully vaccinated Britons will be eligible to enter the UK from the UAE without the need for quarantine.
Travellers must have been vaccinated 14 days or more prior to travel and will be required to show official evidence of this.
Vaccines are accepted as long as they have been administered and authorised by the UK, European Union (EU) or US.
Travellers will also be required to undergo one pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in the UK.
READ MORE: When will Pakistan be moved from the red list? Latest travel advice
Following the announcement, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said: “We are committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we’ve made through our successful vaccination programme, helping connect families, friends and businesses around the world.
“While we must continue to be cautious, today’s changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid added: “As we learn to live with this virus we are continuing to take steps to safely reopen international travel, based on the latest data and expert public health advice.”
At the time of writing, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has yet to update its travel advice for the UAE.
DON’T MISS
Flights: Jet2, TUI, BA and easyJet updates as restrictions ease [UPDATE]
Holidays: Spain travellers may still quarantine as list changes [INSIGHT]
Spain holidays: Nation reports loss of five million tourists in 2021 [DATA]
However, according to the FCDO, UK arrivals are being accepted into the country.
“Residents, tourists and visitors travelling from or through the UK and arriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which was taken no more than 72 hours before departure and present the certificate at check-in,” states the FCDO.
“Travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi will also be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival.
“Travellers arriving in Dubai may be required to undertake a further COVID-19 PCR test on arrival and will have to isolate pending the result of the COVID-19 PCR test.”
The FCDO warns that holidaymakers who test positive for COVID-19 on arrivals may be required to self-isolate in a Government facility or hospital.
However, they may also be given the option to self-isolate in privately arranged accommodation for 10 days.
Up until now, the UAE and its popular holiday hub of Dubai remained on the red list.
This has meant only British and Irish nationals and residents have been able to return to the UK from the UAE.
They have then been forced to quarantine in a Government approved hotel for 10 days at their own expense.
This initially cost £1,750 for the entire stay.
But from Sunday, the cost of managed quarantine is set to increase to £2,285 for a single adult and £1,430 for a second adult.
This package includes testing on days two and eight of the quarantine.
