The UK Foreign Office has issued an update for Brits in the UAE(Image: VCG via Getty Images)
An update has been issued affecting Brits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid the ongoing war between the US-Israel and Iran. Over the last two weeks, flights have been disrupted due to airspace being closed in the Middle East.
Brits in the UAE, including Dubai, have been advised to ‘register your presence’ with the UK Government to receive support with returning to the UK. But now, this scheme is being paused.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been updating its guidance for lots of Middle East countries over the past few weeks, with information such as ‘sheltering in place’, ‘regional escalation’ and travelling between countries.
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In an update shared on Sunday afternoon, the UK Foreign Office said that for those in the UAE, the ‘register your presence’ scheme is being paused.
The update reads: “Register your presence – With commercial flights resuming to the UK from United Arab Emirates (UAE), we are pausing our ‘register your interest in flights from UAE’ scheme.
“If you are still in UAE and need to get back to the UK, please check availability with the commercial airlines. You can still register your presence if you are in UAE for further updates.”
Other advice for Brits in the UAE includes ‘shelter in place’, which warns of ‘falling debris’ caused by intercepts.
The advice reads: “If local authorities advise you to take shelter, stay indoors or move to the nearest safe building immediately. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Choose an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible for additional protection.
“Limit your movements to essential journeys only. When travel is unavoidable, aim to move during daylight hours and avoid crowded venues. Always let friends or family know where you are and when you are travelling, and keep your mobile phone with you and charged.
“If you are away from your home or hotel, and an attack occurs or you receive an alert from the official UAE warning system, seek shelter in the closest building immediately.”
On top of that, Brits in the UAE are being warned that posting certain material online is ‘illegal’.
“It is illegal to post material,” the warning reads, “including videos and photographs, online that is critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE.
“This includes material which appears to abuse, ridicule or criticise the country or its authorities. Material that is culturally insensitive may also be considered illegal.”