Amid the UK’s latest lockdown, Dubai has been a haven for hundreds of British citizens and social media influencers. But these exotic excursions risk quickly coming to a halt as the UK government has added the UAE to the quarantine red-list.
A ban on direct travel from the UAE to the UK was introduced this afternoon. Under the new restrictions, non-British jet-setters who have recently travelled to the Gulf state will no longer be granted access to the UK. British nationals and residents will be allowed in but must self-isolate with their household for 10 days. Those who do not return quickly also face the risk of having to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense under further restrictions announced this week but not yet implemented.
But the new rules have not yet deterred social media personalities from posting about their luxurious lifestyles in the UAE. Influencer Arianna Ajtar is one of many who are still glamming up and sipping cocktails in the Gulf state. In a post shared with her 400,000 Instagram followers this morning, she shared her Yoga regimes.
British national Alex Evenden, 21, managed to get back from the UAE yesterday to avoid the new measures. “With news of variants and growing cases, I was quite apprehensive about getting home, so I quickly booked a flight back and I’m so glad I did,” she said. Alex explained that she aimed to remain responsible and was tested as soon as she arrived.
Her comments follow growing public criticism of reality stars for continuing to travel abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.