Following a significant increase in both the level and pace of change in confirmed cases, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been removed from the UK list of travel corridors.
From 4am on 12 January 2021, people returning to the UK from the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al-Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah) will need to self-isolate for 10 days, as the country has been removed from the travel corridor list.
The decision has been made following a significant acceleration in the number of imported cases, along with the number of reported new cases over the past 7 days, which have risen in the UAE by 52%.
People currently in the UAE are encouraged to follow the local rules, return home as normal and check FCDO travel advice for further information.
Passengers arriving from all international destinations, including the UAE, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 3 days before departing for England or Scotland to help protect against new strains of coronavirus circulating internationally.
Passengers will need to present this proof to carriers, along with their passenger locator form. The UK Border Force will conduct spot checks on arrival into England to ensure that passengers are fully compliant.
At the same time, the FCDO has updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to UAE.
The government has made consistently clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus, including if the public health risk of people returning from a particular country without self-isolating becomes too high.
The devolved administrations have all taken the same decision today, so travellers arriving from the UAE into all parts of the UK will need to self-isolate.
National restrictions for England introduced on 6 January 2021 remain in place, meaning everyone must stay at home unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons, including for work. This means people can no longer travel to take holidays or travel internationally unless for work or other legally permitted reasons. Those in breach of the rules face penalties starting at £200, rising to a maximum of £6,400.