A LOCKDOWN on travel has left tens of thousands of people around the globe stranded with Bradford residents among them.

Ibrahim Sadiq reported that he has been caught in Saudi Arabia with no flights back to the UK after three had been cancelled.

And Bradford-born Rabbi Dr Walter Rothschild has been forced to abandon a trip back to the city from Berlin because of the curbs in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Sadiq said: "Now suddenly no flights and we are being told by locals it could be more then two weeks as the cases are rising.

"All malls closed all restaurant are takeout only. Only pharmacies are open and big supermarkets.

"The biggest problem is the hotels are closing down as there is no customers and we have literally been kicked out of three hotels. We staying in an expensive hotel as it’s only last few left open.

"We have an elderly person who is diabetic and big risk if he get corona.

"We spoke to the British embassy on the phone for three hours waiting and the reply was simply help yourself, we can't help in anyway.

"We need to get back we have family to take off especially young kids and elderly."

At the weekend Saudi authorities announced the suspension of international flights from 11am on Sunday and they have ordered the closure of commercial markets and malls.

Dr Rothschild was due to officiate as guest Rabbi at the Bradford Synagogue in Bowland Street on March 28.

He is a former Bradfordian and celebrated his Bar-Mitzvah and Chuppah in this historic synagogue, where his father Edgar was for many years Hon. Secretary, Hon Treasurer and finally Chairman. His mother Esther is still a member, now aged 95.

But he has not been able to leave Germany: "I am still in Berlin and staying here.

"Almost everything is closed and we are expecting a total lockdown any day now.

"I was advised by all concerned not to travel to the UK since, were I to come down with it, I would be of no help to my mother and would be away from all my own support networks!

"I do hope to try again some other time but for now nobody can say when that will be."

A spokesperson for Hays Travel said: “Our primary concern is for our customers who have been affected whilst on holiday and we have redoubled support systems so that we are in touch with those clients to assist them every day.

“We are also helping customers who are planning holidays selectively and being sensible about destinations and timings of their trips.

“While this is a difficult time in the short term, the travel industry as a whole is very resilient and has bounced back from other setbacks in the past. We continue to monitor the advice from the Foreign Office as well as that of our national industry representatives, ABTA and the Civil Aviation Authority, and we are advising our customers accordingly.

“Customers who have been advised not to travel to affected areas by the Foreign Office may be compensated under ABTA rules and we will support them through this.”

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said: “The announcement from FCO, advising against all but essential travel to anywhere outside of the UK, means that travel insurance policies should pay out.

“Any UK residents who have a trip booked abroad, should get a refund directly from their travel provider.

“In the first instance, if you have not already been contacted by your travel provider, you should speak to your airline and accommodation provider and then if needed, contact your insurer.

“Bear in mind this will be a busy time and insurers will likely prioritise enquiries from people who were due to travel immediately.”