Friday 29 January 2021

My Winter COVID Vacation in Dubai

Yes, I left the UK during lockdown to go to Dubai for 2 months over winter. I'm not an influencer and certainly wasn't getting free accommodation in exchange for a few Instagram posts, but I did have a couple of hotel stays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but there was little beach and pool time as it's too cold at the moment. Ok it's still 25c, but when you're used to temps in the 40's in the summer, the sea does feel quite chilly.

Dubai's covid rules are different to the UK and change as the virus changes. At the moment no more than 4 in a coffee shop, 7 in a restaurant to sit together and tables 3ms apart. No indoor groups, but gyms and hairdressers are open. Malls and shops operating as normal, whilst Covid compliance officers are checking on numbers of shoppers, working practices, use of masks and hand sanitisers there's no one counting you in and out and taking your temperature any more.

Life in Dubai is very different to the UK, FULL STOP. I've family and friends around the world, locals and expats like us. Apart from a few countries with completely different demographics, Covid is behaving the same around the world. The number of deaths and cases differ depending on how or if they are reported. The UK is different because it's made up of different people, attitudes, entitlement (yes really). We don't choose to eat out often in the UK or go to the cinema or even visit nail bars and hairdressers. We spend our time in the UK with family, out door activities and with friends and as expats even though I'm back in the UK, I can't do any of that anyway, so it was nice to be able to have the option to be elsewhere.

I was in Dubai because I have a visa to live there with my husband for the past 6 years, however I've been spending more and more time in the UK over recent years and with us reclaiming our family home and relocating the cat and dog to the UK and covid hitting in March 2020 I've only spent 18 weeks there in the past 12 months. Only 14 weeks actually with my husband as he was away for one week with work then he managed to get shut in Saudi for an extra week when they closed their borders over night, I spent time in hospital with a slipped disc, had surgery and had then time in Abu Dhabi working on the golf.

I've received quite a bit of indirect criticism about being out in Dubai, but it's been my home for the last 6 years and my husband still lives and works there. I certainly wouldn't be contemplating travelling for a holiday, I'm more than happy to travel between the UK and Dubai as I have a home in both countries and can afford to isolate and pay for a hotel stay for quarantine purposes. 

There have been brunches, coffees with friends, cinema trips, using public transport, pub quizzes, walks on the beach as well as:

8 x PCR tests

2 x hospital stays

2 x hotel stays

2 x working at major sporting events






















Early March 2020 schools closed, by mid March Emirates stopped flying and the end of March, Dubai closed its borders. Curfews in place and permits required to leave home.

June and residents and citizens were allowed to fly back in. My husband wasn't allowed to fly as he was over 60. Under 12's also weren't allowed, as well as no access to malls. 

July tourists allowed back in. Permission to travel from both UK and UAE required.

August and Peter was allowed to fly. 2 weeks isolation in the UK, then a PCR test required to fly back to Dubai. Same for me for my trip in September and 2 weeks isolation back in the UK.

October and citizens PCR on arrival, tourists PCR prior to travel and on arrival also. Isolate until results arrive.

Abu Dhabi has different rules which still require anyone entering to wear a tracking device while they are isolating for 10 days. A PCR test is required for residents of the UAE to cross the border also.


24 comments:

  1. Interesting, thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

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  2. Interesting to read about the rules in other countries. It's strange to see you sitting in coffee shops and out and about. I've forgotten what it's like!

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    1. I'm back in the UK now and it's all a distant memory

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  3. I enjoyed your photos Suzanne. Dubai looks beautiful. It must have been such a relief to re-unite with your husband.

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    1. It was great to be back together even though it wasn't for long

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  4. So happy for you to have found a way to be with your husband! Wonderful pictures!

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  5. Oh to go to a cafe or a hotel! In fairness to yourself, when you are separated from a spouse / partner because of work or some other circumstance, it must be incredibly difficult. Not only emotionally but also keeping on top of all the differing COVID rules as you travel. Alas, some people will judge but what can you do. Me? I'm just looking forward to the day we can go on a family day trip to Calais again!

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    1. I'm so looking forward to not travelling for quite some time if I can help it

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  6. Wow - fascinating to learn the way they manage the virus in Duabi!

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    1. There seems to be an assumption that Dubai isn't taking the virus seriously

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  7. stay well - thanks for the share of interesting place to be right now

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  8. What an interesting read.
    It is annoying that you have received criticism for being in Dubai. It has been your home, you were there way before the influencers who have totally taken the mick. x

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    1. The influencers are in hotels, it's very quite and a lot of areas are closed off from guests and/or day users so easy to be without a mask and appear in public

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  9. Great photos that give an excellent illustration of your time in Dubai, including the hospital bed! You look so happy to be able to have some time with your husband, at last.

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    1. Oh it was lovely to see my husband again, who knows how long it'll be this time

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  10. Love the photos of you two together. It's interesting to read how other countries are dealing with this situation

    Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto

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  11. It's interesting to see how life has changed elsewhere, and great pictures of you and Peter especially #PoCoLo

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  12. It does sound very different there. It must be nice to be able to do some 'normal' things. It's very interesting to read about it all and to see your lovely photos - apart from the hospital one!

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    1. Thank you, I didn't really appreciate doing normal things until i returned to the uk

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