MATT Hancock has today slammed influencers jetting off for “weekends in Dubai” during Covid lockdown as he unveiled a border crackdown.

The Health Secretary announced quarantine rules would be beefed up as he took aim at celebrities fleeing lockdown Britain for the glitzy United Arab Emirates (UAE) resort.

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Matt Hancock has blasted influencers who flew to Dubai for ‘weekends’

Towie’s Yazmin Oukhellou living it up in DubaiCredit: Instagram

Brit influencers have faced a backlash after travelling to the Gulf, but vowed to carry on the party after flights to the UK were cancelled last monthCredit: Instagram

From February 15, anyone entering the UK from 33 “red list” countries must stay in Covid quarantine hotels for 10 days.

Travellers trying to sneak out of the facilities face a £10,000 fine, with the crackdown aimed at stopping cases of new variants entering Britain.

And passengers returning to the UK who lie about where they’ve been risk 10 years in jail.

Holidaymakers who try to trick border authorities after arriving from Covid “red” places like South Africa, Brazil or Dubai will be treated as criminals, Mr Hancock said.

COVID CRACKDOWN

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hancock renewed his attack on posing influencers, who have sparked fury for jetting to the Gulf to swerve lockdown.

Mr Hancock said: “This virus attacks us all as humans, it doesn’t treat people differently just because they’re better off and might be able to fly to Dubai for the weekend.

“It treats us all the same so we should treat people the same.

“That’s one of the reasons it’s important to bring these measures in with strong enforcement, so they are both tough and fair on people who are working so hard and sacrificing so much to follow the rules.”

People forced to quarantine in hotels will also face fines of up to £2,000 for failing to take covid tests after arrival and the isolation period will be extended if they continue to refuse.

TOWIE star Yazmin Oukhellou said previously she is staying put in DubaiCredit: Instagram

Love Island’s Ellie Brown was among those who sparked outrage after flying to DubaiCredit: Instagram

TOWIE’s James Lock was hit with a fierce backlash on Instagram after travelling to the UAE as wellCredit: Instagram

Mr Hancock also revealed the government had signed deals with 16 hotels, securing 4,600 rooms for arrivals coming in from “red” nations next week.

In November, UAE became one of the few destinations on the UK government’s travel corridors list – meaning Brits didn’t need to self-isolate on their return.

It led to a flurry of reality TV stars flying out to soak up the sun in Dubai while Brits were ordered to stay home to protect the NHS.

But last month, the UK added the Gulf state to it’s travel red list after a spike in Covid cases, with all direct flights axed.

Shameless influencers mocked the travel ban as they were pictured downing shots by a Dubai pool.

This virus attacks us all as humans, it doesn’t treat people differently just because they’re better off and might be able to fly to Dubai for the weekend

Matt Hancock

They were blasted for continuing to promote 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.

Absolutely Ascot’s Henry 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.

Anton Danyluk with fellow influencers soaking up the sun in the UAECredit: Instagram

Instagram video shows influencers crammed into a lift partying in DubaiCredit: www.instagram.com/lanasido_

Ex On The Beach’s Leonie Mcsorley parties with friends in DubaiCredit: Instagram

She tweeted: “Flights from Dubai to the UK are banned. Guess I have no choice but to stay out here. Shame.”

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”.

And Towie couple James Lock and Yazmin Oukhellou have sparked fury after posting photos of them living it up in Dubai.

James commented under one photo: “We are what we believe we are.”

Absolutely Ascot’s Henry posed topless at Dubai’s Palm 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.”

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.”