UAE students have dropped plans to return for the new university term in the UK after ministers 'strongly' urged those already over there not to return home.
The UK has entered its third lockdown as Covid-19 cases spiral.
One 20-year-old Dubai student had been tested in the UAE ahead of flying back to the UK to complete her final year studying an accountancy and finance degree at Leeds University, in the north of England.
"I was preparing to travel back, I got tested and as I was about to book my flight back on Monday until I heard about the announcement," she told The National.
"I'm now going to stay in Dubai, at least until after my exams. It would have been nicer to know before Monday what was happening but I understand the situation keeps changing very fast. I'm just thankful this did not happened after I had arrived back at university."
The UK is now considering an international travel ban as a highly transmissable new strain of Covid-19 sweeps the country, and Cabinet minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday that overseas students should stay where they are.
Many who travelled home for the festive period were due to fly back to the UK this week to recommence their studies but they have now been urged not to travel.
"At the moment the strong advice for individuals is to stay where they are," Mr Gove said.
Leeds University said: "In response to the rise in Covid-19 cases across the UK over the Christmas holidays, the government has changed its guidance on the phased return of students for the spring term.
"Except for a small number of courses, students should not return to university until further notice."
It is a situation reflected across the country and students are angry at the short notice.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had urged all primary school pupils to return to school on Monday morning but in his address to the nation hours later he ordered all schools to close.
Mr Gove said GCSE and A-Level exams would be cancelled with an announcement made by the education secretary in due course. "We will be putting in place alternative arrangements," he said.
The exams watchdog Ofqual tweeted: “We know how difficult this must be for students, teachers and lecturers.
"We wish at all costs to avoid arrangements for this summer’s GCSEs, A-Levels and VTQs inflicting further disadvantage on students.
“We are considering a number of options to ensure the fairest possible outcome in the circumstances. We will update as soon as we can."
Mr Gove said the UK could impose new restrictions on international travel. Quarantine is compulsory for those arriving from many countries but Covid-19 testing is not.
Having discussed the issue with the leaders of the other UK nations, Mr Gove said: "We will be coming forward very shortly with new proposals."
Under plans being considered by the government, travellers arriving from overseas will have to show a negative Covid-19 test before they're allowed to enter the country.
People will be required to demonstrate a negative result from no more than 72 hours before their departure. Measures could become even tighter and include another test on arrival.
Mr Gove said: "We are looking at further options to restrict international travel. But the message is very, very clear for UK citizens that they should not be travelling."
He was unable to say precisely when the lockdown, scheduled to last six weeks, would be lifted, warning of "very, very difficult weeks" ahead.
The measures will be reviewed from February 15, he said, but the government cannot "predict with certainty" when they will be eased.
"I think it is right to say that as we enter March we should be able to lift some of these restrictions but not necessarily all," he said.
The new measures began in England on Tuesday morning and will become law in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also bringing in strict lockdowns, including school closures.
The latest lockdown for England comes as the new strain of coronavirus threatens to overwhelm hospitals, despite the distribution of two vaccines, including the UK's own Oxford University/AstraZeneca drug. More than one million people in the UK have been immunised.
A total of 58,784 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK on Monday, with cases in the last seven days up 50 per cent on the previous week.
Britain has been among the worst hit countries in the world, with about 2.7 million cases and 75,431 deaths recorded.
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Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
