Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Greece and Spain travel advice as ‘all but essential’ warning issued | Travel News | Travel
As the war between the US, Israel and Iran rages on, the Foreign Office (FCDO) is keeping a constant watch on countries in the Middle East and Europe and updating its travel advice. Since the war broke out on February 28, the FCDO has moved several previously “safe” or “green” destinations into “Do Not Travel” or “All But Essential Travel” categories, including several popular tourist destinations.
In just the last day, Abu Dhabi’s authorities responded to a fire at the Ruwais Industrial Complex after a drone attack. In a statement, authorities said: “The competent authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are dealing with a fire that broke out in one of the facilities within the Ruwais Industrial Complex, resulting from a drone attack, with no injuries recorded so far.”
The UAE’s emirate has become a top, rapidly growing global tourism hub, with key sites, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island theme parks and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
In its update on Monday (March 9), the FCDO, as a precautionary measure, temporarily withdrew the dependents of British Embassy staff from the UAE, though the embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.
The latest FCDO guidance for the UAE 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.”
The FCDO also warns that there are “a limited number of commercial options available” for leaving the UAE, including air travel from the UAE and Oman.
For those with a holiday booked in Turkey, the majority of the country remains under “safe” or “green” categories. However, the FCDO advises against “all travel to within 10km [6mi] of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.
Once again, the FCDO advises British nationals in Turkey to read “guidance on ‘how to prepare for a crisis’ with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and ‘what to do in a crisis’.
It also urges Brits to follow advice from local authorities, sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts and monitor local and international media for the latest information.
Similarly, in Greece, there are currently no FCDO travel warnings in place, following the removal of information about mass demonstrations and widespread disruption to public services across the country on February 28.
However, the FCDO does warn: “No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
It suggests reading its travel advice for women, solo and independent travellers, those with disabilities, LGBT+ travellers and those planning on volunteering and adventure travel abroad.
In another win for Brits due to holiday in Europe soon, the FCDO has felt no need to update Spain’s travel advice since mid-February. The last update came on February 18, in the wake of the two high‑speed trains that collided near Adamuz, in the province of Córdoba in Andalusia.
Nevertheless, the FCDO guidance reads: “If you are planning to travel to Spain through France, check the travel advice for France before you start your journey.
“If you are planning to travel to Spain through Gibraltar, check the travel advice for Gibraltar before you start your journey.
“No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
