UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al-Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah) has been removed from list of travel corridors following a concerning increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases.

The rule change took effect from 4am this morning and covers travellers arriving into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Current national restrictions don’t permit international travel, unless for a limited set of reasons.

The decision was made following a significant acceleration in the number of imported cases, along with the number of reported new cases over the past seven 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 Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for further information.

Passengers arriving from all international destinations, including the UAE, are now required to present a negative Covid-19 test result taken up to three 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.

National lockdown 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.