Britain has removed the United Arab Emirates from its travel corridor list following a concerning increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases, it has been announced.
From Tuesday, travellers arriving into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from the UAE - which includes the popular Dubai and Abu Dhabi - will need to self-isolate, the the UK Department of Transport said.
It comes after various UK celebs have faced criticism for travelling to the UAE during the pandemic.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement this evening on Twitter.
He posted: "The LATEST data indicates we need to immediately remove the #UAE from the #TRAVELCORRIDOR list. From 4am Tuesday, January 12, anyone arriving from the UAE will need to SELF-ISOLATE."
Do you think people who travelled to Dubai should be criticised? Let us know in the comments section
Shapps added: "Current NATIONAL RESTRICTIONS do not permit international travel other than for specific reasons. Ignoring the rules costs lives.
"Inconsiderate and selfish behaviour puts others at risk & is unfair to those following the rules to beat the virus. Stay at home. Save lives."
The Foreign Office tweeted tonight: "International travel is restricted.
"Stay at home.
"From 4am Tues 12 Jan travellers arriving into the UK from the United Arab Emirates will need to self-isolate on their return.
"Take Action Now."
Former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh herself has hit out at her fellow celebs, slamming the hoards of social media influencers who jetted out to luxury destinations like Dubai amid the pandemic.
The 44-year-old said she was concerned that jetsetters are hardly practicing social distancing on their sunny holidays and risk bringing Covid-19 back into the UK.
Writing for her OK! column, Kym said: “Lots of influencers seem to be going abroad.
"If you’ve got to travel for work then fair enough, but I personally would be putting off that trip and staying at home."
She added: “From what I can see from the pictures of people in Dubai, every man and his dog is there and it doesn’t look particularly socially distanced!"
Kym's remarks came as a host of well known social media influencers flaunt their sun-filled pictures on Instagram while enjoying their sunny getaways.
Figures such as Chloe Ferry and Love Island stars like Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have all enjoyed a lavish getaway while coronavirus cases continue to rise across the UK.
Some of the stars have recently faced a barrage of online abuse as fans criticise their luxury getaways - some of which have been defended as 'work trips'.
Laura Anderson was forced to turn off comments on her latest Instagram picture after facing a torrent of negative replies.
The star, a fan favourite of 2018's Love Island, had posting pictures to document her experiences in Dubai - a trip she made completely legally.
But she was targeted by keyboard warriors, attacking her over the trip.
