A NEW government ad campaign warns holidays are “illegal” as influencers face a backlash for jetting off to Dubai.
Social media stars continued to live it up at swanky resorts in the Gulf – despite a ban on direct flights from the UAE to the UK coming into force today.
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Ministers have ramped up rhetoric advising Brits not to leave the country after adding a swathe of countries to the quarantine ‘red list’ yesterday.
The move means that anyone choosing to fly home from Dubai on an indirect flight will need to self-isolate at home for ten days.
Officials from the Foreign Office today signed off adverts which are intended to “remind people that travelling abroad is against the law”.
One, which features flip flops, warns: “Going on holiday is currently illegal.
“Stay at home. Save Lives.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced yesterday that the UAE had been added to the UK’s ‘red list’ of countries subject to a travel ban.
The ‘red list’ was introduced in an attempt to prevent the spread of new Covid-19 variants from Brazil and South Africa, the latter of which is believed to have been detected in the UAE.
The ban also includes all of South America, Panama, swathes of Southern Africa as well as Portugal.
But the Dubai travel ban didn't seem to trouble influencers, who were pictured enjoying the sunshine at glitzy resorts earlier today.
Mia Sully from Absolutely Ascot and TOWIE star Yazmin Oukhellou were among the celebs snapped taking shots beside a plush Dubai pool.
Despite the pictures, Oukhellou previously claimed she was flying to the country for work, saying: “I know a lot of people are getting a lot of stick for travelling out here at the moment, but we have come out here to work”.
More Brits staying put are Amy Willerton, former Miss Universe contestant, and her sister Erin, who were both pictured enjoying pizza poolside at a Dubai hotel.
When the quarantine hotel restrictions are in place – expected to be from February 8 – all 33 countries on the high risk list will have to pay to self-isolate at a government-approved hotel for 10 days.
Influencer-hotspot Dubai – where the likes of Georgia Steel and Yazmin Oukhellou have recently been on holiday – has seen a jump in cases.
The UAE has seen 249.7 cases per 100,000 cumulatively over the last seven days while the UK, in comparison, has seen 377.4 cases cumulatively over the last seven days.
It isn't the only travel restriction holidaymakers now face – most destinations require a negative coronavirus test on arrival.
All UK travellers must also have a negative coronavirus test when returning, along with a Passenger Locator Form.
Anyone not on the hotel quarantine list must still self-isolate for 10 days – or just five if taking a second negative coronavirus test – but can do so at their own house.
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