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:
Is England still in lockdown?
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.
What happens when lockdown ends?
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.
What are the rules for Tier 3?
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.
What are the rules for Tier 2?
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.
What are the rules for Tier 1?
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.
What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
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.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
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Company%20Profile
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THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')
Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
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AIDA%20RETURNS
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Mobile phone packages comparison
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Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
MADAME%20WEB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20S.J.%20Clarkson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dakota%20Johnson%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%2C%20Sydney%20Sweeney%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Kill%20
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now