SHAMELESS British influencers are still promoting parties in Dubai after a coronavirus spike forced all pubs and bars to shut.
One reality TV poser moaned people are "quick to judge" after a fierce backlash against social media stars fleeing lockdown UK to sun themselves in the Gulf.
? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
An influx of visitors over New Year has been blamed for an alarming rise in Covid cases in the UAE.
And other countries have accused Dubai of spreading mutant variants around the world by allowing tourists to carry on as normal.
Now Dubai authorities have announced bars will stay shut for the whole of February, along with other measures such as limiting numbers at shopping malls.
However, restaurants and cafes can stay open until 1am, and influencers will still be allowed to lounge by hotel pools.
Despite the crackdown, boozy parties aimed at expats and tourists were still being promoted last night.
Love Islander Anton Danyluk's Instagram page shared a poster for a "Miami Beats Ladies Day" bash at the luxury Bla Bla beach club.
He has been in Dubai since December and says he is pursuing "business opportunities".
Towie couple James Lock and Yazmin Oukhellou sparked fury after posting fresh photos of them living it up at a Dubai nightspot.
James commented under his photo: "We are what we believe we are."
One furious user hit back: "Like millions of others we are sticking to the rules in the UK. Absolutely disgraceful that you both think that travelling is the right thing to do whilst we are in a pandemic!!"
In response to Yaz's glam photo, one viewer demanded Towie bosses ditch her from the next series, saying: "Hopefully you are reading the sheer disgust over this girl’s disrespectful behaviour during a global pandemic."
Meanwhile, Absolutely Ascot's Henry Simmons posed topless at Dubai's Palm last night and whinged about how influencers have been criticised for saying their sunshine breaks are "essential work".
In response to one fan supporting him, Henry moaned: "Thank you very much. A lot of ppl are quick to judge."
But one Instagram user replied mockingly:"Let’s see how long the 'work' continues now all the pubs and bars are closing!!!!"
The UAE allowed visitors to flock from around the world but has been rocked by 17 days straight of record coronavirus infections, including many cases of the new variants.
The Dubai government media office blamed “a marked increase in the number of violations of precautionary measures”.
Last week the UK added the Gulf state to it's travel red list, and all direct flights were axed.
Influencers mocked the travel ban as they were pictured downing shots by a Dubai pool.
Simmons, 21, joked in response to a Sun report on reality stars being stranded: "Oh what a shame."
It was a view echoed by OnlyFans model Honey Evans, who said she would not be returning to the UK before the deadline.
She tweeted: “Flights from Dubai to the UK are banned. Guess I have no choice but to stay out here. Shame."
In recent days Dubai has been blamed for spreading Covid across the globe with tourists flocking there to party.
The city has seen a quadrupling of cases and is facing questions after opening itself to boozy New Year super spreader mayhem for revellers stuck in lockdowns.
Partygoers who flocked there for sunbathing and cocktails were pictured without masks in bars and on yachts on New Year’s Eve.
“The new year shenanigans in Dubai were an obvious super spreader event,” one expat doctor told the Financial Times.
“After that, cases have gone up quickly and we have the new variant too.”
The effect of Dubai’s relaxed attitude is now being felt across the globe.
In Israel, the authorities said more than 900 travellers returning from Dubai have been infected with the coronavirus, creating a chain of infections numbering more than 4,000 people.
There have also been infections in the Philippines and Denmark, whose celebrities similarly travelled to Dubai for the New Year.
On January 29 officials from the Foreign Office signed off adverts which are intended to “remind people that travelling abroad is against the law”.
One, which features flip flops, warns: “Going on holiday is currently illegal.
“Stay at home. Save Lives.”
'WHAT A SHAME'
Source: Read Full Article