Emirates issues travel advisory for UK, Singapore flyers

Emirates Airline has updated travel guidelines for passengers flying to the UK and Singapore after the countries issued restrictions amid new COVID-19 variant concerns.

From November 27, passengers who've been to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe within 14 days of their flight to Singapore will not be permitted "entry or transit/transfer". 

"This includes long‑term pass holders, short‑term visitors and all those who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore," the airline announced in a statement on their website.

"Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents are exempt."

Passengers to UK

From November 26, passengers who have been to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia within 10 days of their flight to the UK will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine.

It comes after the UK added these countries to its red travel list.

"Passengers arriving in England from 4 am Sunday 28th November will be required to book and pay for a government‑approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days," the statement added.

Meanwhile, "Passengers who have been in these countries within the last 10 days and are arriving between midday Friday 26th November and 4 am Sunday 28th November must quarantine at home for 10 days and should take NHS PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8, even if they already have a lateral flow test booking."

Exemptions will be made for "British or Irish National" or those with "residence rights in the UK". It will also not apply to passengers who have stayed airside and only transited through any of these countries while changing flights.

For "passengers arriving in Scotland from 4 am Saturday 27th November will be required to book and pay for a government‑approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days".

Meanwhile, "passengers who have been in these countries within the last 10 days and are arriving between midday Friday 26th November and 4 am Saturday 27th November must quarantine at home for 10 days and should take NHS PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8, even if they already have a lateral flow test booking".

Travellers are urged to check on the airline's "travel requirements page" as the "regulations change frequently".

Affected passengers are urged to contact their travel agents or Emirates Call Centres for rebooking options.