Holidays: Simon Calder gives 2021 travel advice
Dubai holidays now come with new quarantine restrictions for those living in Scotland. Self-isolation is now mandatory for anyone returning from Dubai to Scottish shores. The current government travel advice stated: “From 04:00 Monday, January 11 2021, all arrivals from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) will be required to self-isolate on arrival.
“In addition, those passengers that have travelled back to Scotland from Dubai since January 3, 2021, are also being asked to isolate for 10 days, from the date they arrived back in the country.”
Quarantine rules for arrivals from Dubai do not yet apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, the national lockdown means all travel is off the cards.
“If you are in the UK you should not travel abroad. You can only travel aboard if you have a legally permitted reason to leave home,” explained the government.
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Many will be keen to get future holidays in the diary and it’s important to stay on top of what the rules are in your holiday destination.
This is the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for Dubai and the UAE.
Dubai travel advice
Britons are still allowed to enter Dubai, however, the FCDO warned: “COVID-19 entry requirements may change at short notice, and travellers to the UAE are strongly encouraged to check the specifics, including the time frames for undertaking COVID-19 PCR tests before departure with their airline before they travel.”
Strict testing measures are in place.
“Travellers from the UK to Dubai have the option to either present a negative COVID-19 PCR test on departure which was taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure or to take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport,” said the FCDO.
“Those tested on arrival will be required to quarantine until they have the results of their COVID-19 PCR test. Travellers may also be tested on arrival in Dubai even if they have had a COVID-19 PCR test before departure.
“If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Dubai, depending on your symptoms and your accommodation plans, you may be required to self-isolate in a government-led facility, a hospital, your hotel or privately arranged accommodation for at least 10 days.”
The rules differ slightly elsewhere in the UAE.
“For the rest of the UAE, all travellers have to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test in the country they are currently in, and have proof of a negative result, before travelling to the UAE,” detailed the Foreign Office.
“Those travelling to Abu Dhabi from the UK and certain other countries are required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure and have a negative result.
“Travellers to Abu Dhabi are also required to have a test on arrival. Further details are available on Etihad Airlines Website.”
It’s key you get the right sort of covid test for travel. The FCDO stated: “In all circumstances, the test must be a COVID-19 PCR swab test. Other test results including antibody tests are not accepted.”
However, Britons should not use the NHS for tests for travel. “You should arrange to take a private test,” urged the FCDO.
This week new rules on providing a negative covid test to enter England come into force.
Government advice stated: “All international arrivals to England, including UK nationals, required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure.
“Passengers will be subject to an immediate fine of £500 if they fail to comply with the new regulations on pre-departure testing.
“All passengers arriving from countries not on the government’s travel corridor list will still be required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of test result.”
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