Father says border rules could stop him returning to family

A father has hit out at “ridiculous” border rules which could prevent him from returning to his family.

David Taylor, 41, normally splits his time equally in three week blocks working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and being with his wife and their two children in north-east England.

But the Government’s decision to add the UAE to its “red list” countries means he would need to go to a quarantine hotel for 10 days if he returns from Monday.

Mr Taylor told the PA news agency: “It’s ridiculous.

“It’s putting a lot of pressure on my family because I’m away for longer.

“The kids don’t get to see me.

He described the £1,750 bill for staying in a quarantine hotel as “devastating”.

The oil industry worker is concerned that he will have difficulty finding an available room at a quarantine hotel when he is next due to return home in early March.

“I think I’m going to have real problems booking a hotel, and if they’re full I can’t fly,” he explained.

“I’m then relying on the Government finding more hotels, and I don’t have any faith in that at all.”

Mr Taylor also expressed anger that the UK has banned direct flights from the UAE.

“The UAE is full of expats and workers from the UK.

“We’re now going to have to go home via a different country and a different airline.

“It’s ridiculous.

“They’re so scared of me that they’re going to put me into quarantine, but they’ve pushed me onto a flight from France or wherever.

“When that flight lands, I’ll go straight into quarantine but everybody sat next to me will then go home.

“I just don’t get it.”

He added that around half the UAE’s population has received a coronavirus vaccine, and the country is being “picked on” by the UK Government in response to anger over social media influencers visiting Dubai.