Dubai shuts all bars and clubs over Covid spike after Brit influencers who flocked there mocked travel ban

Dubai shuts all bars and clubs over Covid spike after Brit influencers who flocked there mocked travel ban

Dubai is closing all its bars and pubs in February following a Covid spike after British influencers mocked a travel ban.

It follows an increase in Covid cases across the UAE, which has attracted social media stars fleeing lockdown UK.

Last week, the UAE was added to a ‘red list’ of countries where travel to the UK is banned.

This means all direct flights from the UAE to Britain have been suspended in a bid to stop the new South African variant of Covid-19.

People who choose to fly home from Dubai using indirect flights will be forced to self-isolate at home for 10 days or stay in Government arranged hotel quarantine.

A spokesman for the Dubai Media Office blamed “a marked increase in the number of violations of precautionary measures” for the shutdown of its bars and clubs.

It also blames a spike in Covid cases after New Year’s Eve.

The spokesman said: “The measures seek to further enhance efforts to combat Covid-19, and protect the health and safety of all citizens, residents and visitors.”

However, restaurants in Dubai will remain open and influencers will still be allowed to lounge by the pool.

Last week British influencers in Dubai taunted the travel ban that means they can no longer fly home saying: “Oh what a shame.”