Travellers arriving in the UK face lengthy delays at border control as officials enforce new coronavirus checks.
Passengers at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday told The National they faced waits of more than an hour for their negative Covid-19 test results to be signed off by customs officers.
They said social distancing rules were breached as travellers faced lengthy queues after being funnelled into the arrivals hall, and that authorities should better enforce mask-wearing.
Several passengers spoke of the difficulty of getting a test in countries where asymptomatic screening is not widely available.
All passengers arriving in the UK face a £500 ($683) fine if they do not present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of departure.
Border Force said 30 passengers were fined after arriving in the country without a correct certificate showing a negative PCR, lateral flow or Lamp test result. The travellers were allowed on their way after being fined, the Home Office said.
Rose Medway, who arrived at Heathrow on an Emirates flight from Dubai, said the long queues on arrival in Britain were unexpected.
“It was slow – very different to Dubai, where there were no problems at all,” she said.
Dawn Heather White, who arrived in the UK from Kenya, criticised authorities for bringing in the requirement at short notice.
“Having to have it 72 hours before departure, my departure was Tuesday so I needed it on Sunday,” she said.
“I ended up going to my local clinic and they very efficiently sorted it out for me, so that was a relief, but it did cause me sleepless nights trying to get it done at short notice.”
International difficulties
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new regime was brought in to "protect against the risk of as yet unidentified new strains" of Covid. He said the rules would be in place until at least February 15.
The UK was the fourth-busiest country for air travel in Europe on Wednesday, with about 1,000 flights, according to aviation agency Eurocontrol. Before lockdown and the new entry requirements, the UK was the region’s busiest.
The number of flights arriving in the UK ahead before the festive period was more than 2,000 a day.
Healthcare worker Kaya Jones said she needed “to pull a few strings” to get her coronavirus test but was otherwise pleased with the new arrangements at the UK border.
The British citizen, who arrived from Australia, said it was difficult to get an asymptomatic test on a Sunday in Australia.
“Not all places are set up for a fit-to-fly test on a Sunday,” she said. “I had to pull a few strings, if I’m honest. I got it free but it would have cost hundreds of pounds for others.”
Martin and Beverly Whitelow, who were returning home from Kenya, said they waited more than an hour to get through border control.
“They had 12 cabins with three guys checking your documents,” Mr Whitelow said.
“Everybody was parked in together, no social distancing. Considering there are all these big flights coming in, it was a complete nightmare. You’d think they’d be more organised.”
'Do what's necessary'
The government suspended the UK’s travel corridors on Monday, meaning all overseas travellers are required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival.
One passenger from Bahrain, which was previously on the safe travel list, said he did not object to the requirement.
“You have to do what’s necessary to stop Covid from spreading,” he said.
Ms White, who was en route to Belfast after three months abroad, said arriving in the UK while the pandemic was raging was eerie. She said British authorities needed to better enforce mask-wearing.
“This is the scariest part of the journey,” she said.
Should we have closed our borders earlier? The answer is yes.
Lucy Moreton from the ISU, the union representing border officers, said delays were expected after the new rules were introduced.
"It was brought in quite suddenly, so it is inevitably going to be slower when you’re checking documents that you aren't familiar with," she said.
"Border officers want to check as many as they can but the certificate for the negative Covid tests are challenging - every country presents them in a different format, some of them aren't even in English."
Asked whether travellers were choosing to accept the fine rather than organise a test, Ms Moreton said: "Some people aren’t getting the test, I can’t speculate as to why, but carriers are not obliged to check the test before travel, which puts everybody at risk."
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted on Wednesday that the government should have closed the borders in March last year when the pandemic reached the UK.
Authorities did not impose a ban or quarantine restrictions on international travellers arriving in the UK until June.
"Should we have closed our borders earlier? The answer is yes. I was an advocate of closing them in March," Ms Patel said in video obtained by Guido Fawkes.
What are the new rules for travellers?
Travellers arriving in the UK, whether by boat, train or plane, have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test to be allowed entry. The proof must be in English, French or Spanish.
The test must be taken in the 72 hours before travelling and anyone arriving without one faces a fine of up to £500.
All passengers will still be required to quarantine for up to 10 days.
However, the isolation period can be cut short with a negative test with a private provider after five days, allowing those travellers to leave quarantine by day seven, as tests can take up to 48 hours to process.
All arrivals in the UK must also complete a passenger locator form, detailing travel details and the address where they will stay.
In pictures – UK tightens border rules
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
BLACK%20ADAM
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results
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How%20champions%20are%20made
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
