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Tourists on a yacht as they pass a traditional dhow serving a dinner cruise, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Britain on Tuesday banned all direct flights between Britain and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the entry of all non-citizens who have been to the UAE. Returning citizens will be subjected to severe quarantine measures.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the UAE has been added to the government’s “red list” along with Burundi and Rwanda from 1.00 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Friday.
According to Reuters, due to travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the route was the world’s busiest in January, serving as a key hub between east and west.
After throwing its doors open to partygoers over the New Year, Dubai is now facing the economic cost of surging coronavirus cases as flight bans threaten its £23billion tourism sector.
Britain last night placed an outright travel ban on the Middle East party haven where the New Year revelry has been blamed for a spike in infections.
Denmark also shut down flights last week while Germany is now requiring negative tests for travellers from the UAE.
Before the pandemic struck last year, 100,000 British tourists a month were visiting Dubai during the winter, typically spending £34million per month to stay in its stylish hotels - which now face a setback after enjoying a revival in December.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Dubai blamed for virus cases abroad after New Year s Eve blowout
29 Jan, 2021 07:16 AM
6 minutes to read
A passenger passes through a temperature screening gateway at Dubai International Airport on June 10, 2020. Photo / AP
AP
By: Jon Gambrell
After opening itself to New Year s revellers, Dubai is now being blamed by several countries for spreading the coronavirus abroad, even as questions swirl about the city-state s ability to handle reported record spikes in virus cases.
The United Arab Emirates Government s Dubai Media Office says the sheikhdom is doing all it can to handle the pandemic, though it has repeatedly declined to answer questions from the Associated Press about its hospital capacity.
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