Following Thursday’s traffic light travel update, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the UK has slammed the Government’s decision to keep the nation on the red list. His “disappointment” comes amid news that some direct flights from the country have been permitted to resume to “dedicated” airports, though strictly only for “essential” travel. The ambassador has spoken out about “bespoke travel arrangements” the UAE had made with other countries, including Greece and Italy.
At the time of writing, only British and Irish nationals and UK residents are permitted to enter the UK from anywhere in the United Arab Emirates.
Upon arrival, they will be required to quarantine for 10 days in a Government designated hotel.
However, the United Arab Emirates ambassador has spoken out about Boris Johnson’s Government’s decision, claiming the nation is “among the top countries in the world for both vaccination rate and its testing programme.”
In a statement, UAE Ambassador to the UK, Mansoor Abulhoul said: “It is disappointing to see that the UAE has remained on the UK’s red travel list.
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“We have strict controls to guard against troubling variants and have bespoke travel arrangements with several countries for vaccinated passengers, including Greece and Italy, and we look forward to negotiating similar solutions with other countries,” he explained.
“Our aim is to allow families and friends separated by COVID-19 to reunite as soon as possible and to resume our crucial business and leisure travel links.”
While the UAE remains on the red list, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a new update today regarding direct flights from the nation.
On its travel advice page, the FCDO explains: “From June 8, direct flights can arrive in England from the UAE, but they must arrive at dedicated terminals at Heathrow and Birmingham airports.
“Different requirements may apply for arrivals into…