Transport secretary Grant Shapps revealed on Wednesday (22 September) that vaccination certificates issued in the UAE would be accepted from 4 October “following updates to their vaccination app”.
“As a major transport hub, which is home to many British expats, this is great news for reopening international travel, boosting business and reuniting families,” said Shapps in a tweet.
The UAE, which includes destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al Khaimah, was moved from the red to amber list in early August.
The move comes after the UK government said on Friday (17 September) that it would scrap the current the traffic light system and ease testing requirements from next month.
Shapps has also signalled an end to last-minute changes to the England’s red list, which will still require people to quarantine in a government-arranged hotel for 10 days.
He indicated that further easing of the testing rules, which will see day two PCR tests replaced by cheaper lateral flow tests, may be in place for the vital October half-term period.
