Dubai, Cyprus, Qatar and Greece latest travel advice as ‘shelter’ warning issued

The Foreign Office has issued “shelter in place” warnings to Brits in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain amid the ongoing Iran war, while Cyprus and Greece face different travel advice

UK authorities continue to issue ‘shelter in place’ warnings to Britons in nations throughout the Middle East amidst the continuing Iran conflict. The guidance from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) applies to countries including Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, encompassing popular tourist spots like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Iran continues to launch retaliatory drone and missile attacks on targets in surrounding nations across the region. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, was briefly shut on Monday following a drone strike on a nearby fuel depot, while authorities in the country reported that a Pakistani citizen was killed by missile fragments in Abu Dhabi. The FCDO is recommending against all but essential travel to the UAE – which hosts a substantial British expatriate population – during the intense conflict which has now entered its third week.

READ MORE: Trump’s Iran war backfires as angry Americans say “enough” in petrol price painREAD MORE: Latest Portugal travel advice for Brits after Foreign Office update

Concerning the ‘shelter in place’ warning for the UAE, the FCDO states on its website: “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.”

Similar advice is also in place for nations such as Bahrain and Qatar, where the FCDO also advises against all but essential travel.

The department’s shelter in place warning for Qatar reads: “Follow the instructions of the local authorities. If you receive a warning alert, hear the sound of interceptions or are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. Remain inside until the authorities confirm it is safe to resume normal activity.

“The Qatari Ministry of Interior publishes announcements on its social media channels.

“If you are moving around outdoors, take sensible precautions. Stay alert to developments.” Meanwhile, for Bahrain, the FCDO states: “If staying in the Kingdom, follow the instructions of the local authorities. If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. You should not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

“We advise British nationals, wherever possible, to stay inside and limit movements to essential journeys only. Always let friends or family know where you are and when you are travelling and keep your mobile phone with you and charged.”

Concerns that the Iran conflict could trigger a broader war were heightened when an RAF base in Cyprus was struck by a drone, thought to have been launched by pro-Iranian militias in Lebanon or western Iraq.

There is currently no ‘shelter in place’ alert for Britons on the Eastern Mediterranean island, nor are individuals being discouraged from travelling there.

Nevertheless, the FCDO is cautioning that regional escalation “poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.

Britons are being encouraged to take precautions including keeping up with local and international media for the latest developments and registering for local information alerts.

Meanwhile, there are no travel advisories for Greece, which has assisted in strengthening the defences of neighbouring Cyprus following the incident at RAF Akrotiri. An FCDO spokesperson said: “Even though much larger numbers of commercial flights are now becoming available, this remains an extremely difficult and stressful time for British holidaymakers, transit passengers, businesspeople and ex-pats in the region who are still experiencing serious travel disruption and delays.

“We continue to keep our travel advice up to date to reflect the latest situation on the ground in each country. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates should continue to register their presence to receive direct updates and advice from the FCDO.”