Updated: Apr 27 2021, 9:51 ET
A HOLIDAY to Dubai may not return in time for the summer, it is feared, as it could remain on the UK s red list when travel opens up.
The UAE, which has given the first vaccine jab to more than half of the population ahead of the UK, was put onto the list back in January.
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Dubai trips may be off all summerCredit: Alamy
A jump in Covid cases and the threat of the South African variant meant the country was taken off the UK s safe list, when it was one of the most popular holiday destinations particularly with influencers.
We re not restricting the UAE due to the level of coronavirus in the UAE, Shapps told an aviation event on Wednesday. The issue is one of transit.
The comments drew sharp criticism from Emirates President Tim Clark: Leaving us on the red list for reasons of transit doesn t make any sense because (passengers) can just go through other hubs, he told a recent online event. It compromises our United Kingdom operation for Emirates. It s a real pity if they keep us on the red list.
Being on the U.K. s red list comes with a high price, and has real consequences for the 120,000 Brits living in the Gulf country and their family members. It requires anyone entering the U.K. from a red list country to quarantine in a government-approved hotel and cover their own lodging and food costs for 10 days, at a cost of £1,750 ($2,428) per person.