The current Covid rules facing UAE travellers coming to the UK

The UK has added the UAE to its safe travel list - meaning people travelling to Britain from the UAE do not have to quarantine on arrival. The UAE-UK travel corridor takes effect from Saturday. The promise of winter sun is likely to attract many UK residents to the UAE, while UAE residents have the opportunity to reconnect with family. However, those arriving in the UK face a litany of coronavirus restrictions that vary across the country. Here’s a look at some of the rules facing travellers: England will still be in national lockdown when the quarantine arrangements are lifted on Saturday. The lockdown is expected to be lifted on December 2. While still in place, people have been told to remain at home unless there is a specific reason to leave. The exemptions for leaving home include exercise, visiting the supermarket or collecting takeaway food, and education. In general, people must not meet socially but they can meet one other person not from their household outdoors. Shops remain closed but some hospitality venues are operating a takeaway service. People are advised against non-essential travel. If lockdown ends on December 2, as expected, England will revert back to its three-tier alert system. That means the country will be divided up according to local infection rates. Areas are categorised as either Tier 1 (medium), Tier 2 (high) or Tier 3 (very high). The higher the rate of transmission, the higher the alert level and, subsequently, the tougher the restrictions. The alert level under which each area will fall once lockdown ends remains unclear at this stage. People are not allowed to meet socially with anybody who is not part of their household. Residents are also not allowed to meet their support bubble indoors or in certain outdoor locations. Pubs and bars must stay closed unless they are serving meals - and alcohol can only be served as part of a meal. People are also advised not to travel in or out of Tier 3 areas other than for work, education or care responsibilities. Those in areas under Tier 2, or high alert, are not allowed to meet indoors with people they do not live with - including in their homes, pubs and restaurants. People in single-adult households are still allowed to meet people in their support bubble. There are also exceptions for in-home care and childcare. People can still meet friends and family outdoors, but only in a group of up to six people, while the use of public transport is discouraged. Areas classified as Tier 1, or medium alert, fall under the standard coronavirus regulations. These include the rule of six, which prevent more than six people meeting indoors and outdoors, and the 10pm hospitality curfew. Scotland is currently operating a tiered set of coronavirus restrictions. The rules range from near normal at Level 0 to Level 4, which constitutes a full lockdown. The majority of the country remains under Level 3 or “very high” restrictions - which means bars are not permitted to sell alcohol either indoors or outdoors. Cafes, pubs and restaurants are only allowed to open until 6pm for food sales and non-alcoholic drinks. People living under Level 3 restrictions are not allowed to travel outside the area. Wales emerged from its latest 17-day "firebreak" lockdown on November 9. Indoor meetings between households are still banned but people can meet outside in groups of up to four. Restaurants, bars and cafes have re-opened but are still not allowed to serve alcohol after 10pm. All retailers are open. There are no rules preventing travel but the authorities have advised against non-essential travel. In Northern Ireland , a "circuit-breaker" lockdown remains in place for another week. However, from November 20, hospitality venues will open on a “graduated basis” with unlicensed venues such as cafes opening first. Pubs and restaurants can reopen from November 27.

The current Covid rules facing UAE travellers coming to the UK

Varying restrictions await visitors who use UK-UAE travel corridor