Working with our partners, we are warning our customers and members of the public to be vigilant in the face of scams connected to the coronavirus (Covid-19).

These scams could take many forms and might take the form of pensions transfers, high-return investment opportunities or health insurance supplements.

To help protect yourself you should:

• reject offers that come out of the blue
• get the company’s name and establish their credentials using the FCA’s Financial Services Register
• beware of adverts on social media channels and paid for/sponsored adverts online
• do not click links or open emails from senders you don’t already know
• be wary of promised returns that sound too good to be true
• take your time to make all the checks you need, even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’
• do not give out personal details (bank details, address, existing insurance/pensions/investment details)
• seek financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements or making investments

There is further advice on the FCA’s ScamSmart website about how to protect yourself and if you suspect you may have been contacted in what could be a scam, you can make a complaint to the Insolvency Service or call Action Fraud straight away on 0300 123 2040.

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the UK government has advised against non-essential travel overseas.

Please sign up for alerts on our travel advice page and follow our social media channels (@UKinIndia) for the latest information.

Urgent Consular Assistance

If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact our consular helplines on:

• New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100
• Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151
• Mumbai/Goa: +91 (22) 6650 2222

Alternatively contact us via the web messengers:

Flights

What is the UK doing to set up evacuation flights?

We are urgently working with the Government of India and airlines to enable returns to take place on commercial flights, and we will update our guidance for British nationals as soon as more information is available.

What is the likely timescale for evacuation flights to commence?

Currently there is a restriction on commercial international passenger flights until 14th April 2020, and on commercial domestic flights until the end of the government lockdown on 15th April 2020. If anything becomes available before then, we will let British nationals know by updating our travel advice and social media channels.

Will international flights resume on 14th April 2020 as previously stated?

The situation is highly fluid and British nationals should be prepared for the possibility that this could be extended. We are in close contact with the Government of India and will update our guidance as soon as more information becomes available. Please also stay in contact with your airline.

Why has UK not acted whilst other foreign missions have already run evacuation flights?

We are collecting information on British nationals currently in India to help understand how best to support you and to advise you when commercial flights become available to the UK. If you are a British national who is visiting India and want to be kept informed of commercial flights that may be available from India to the UK please contact us using the email address Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk. Please see “contacting the FCO” section below which sets out what details you will need to include.

How will I get to the airport when flights operate?

We are working with the Government of India and State governments to put plans in place to enable British nationals to reach airports once commercial flights resume.

Accommodation, Food, and Supplies

Our hotel is threatening to throw us out, what can we do?

We are working closely with the Government of India and State governments to provide necessary support to British nationals. If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact our consular helplines on:

• New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100
• Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151
• Mumbai/Goa: +91 (22) 6650 2222

You should ask your hotel to provide alternative accommodation, or talk to the police who can assist with this.

We are unable to buy any food, water, medicines or other essentials because all the shops are shut – what can we do?

The Government of India has ordered that food, medicines and other supplies will continue to remain available during the lockdown period. We are aware that supplies are running low, and some shops are closed. State Governments are working to put systems in place, and we are in touch them.

If you need medicine, use Google to check on pharmacies closest to you and see if they will deliver. If not, you should walk (don’t drive) to the nearest pharmacy or ask for assistance from your accommodation provider. Carry any medical papers or prescriptions and be prepared to answer questions if stopped by the police – the majority of police will let you through if you have a legitimate reason for being out.

If the same medication you’re on is not available, consult a local doctor for an Indian alternative or go to the nearest hospital. In a genuine medical emergency, call an ambulance.

If you are in Goa

The State of Goa has implemented a lockdown and curfew, meaning if you are outdoors you may be stopped and detained by authorities. You should stay indoors as far as possible and only step out for legitimate reasons. Be prepared to explain why you are out if you are stopped. For food requests the Goa State Government has set up the helpline +91 9423890066, and for medicine requests the helpline +91 7823026971. If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact our consular helpline on +91 (22) 6650 2222.

Can you arrange safe passage for me from A to B during the lockdown?

There is currently a 21-day lockdown declared across India. You should only be moving out of your accommodation for legitimate reasons. If you need to travel for a genuine emergency, please contact the nearest police station and explain the situation to the police, who will be able to help you. If you cannot contact them yourself, seek assistance from your accommodation provider.

We are working closely with the Government of India and State governments to provide necessary support to British nationals. If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact our consular helplines on:

• New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100
• Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151
• Mumbai/Goa: +91 (22) 6650 2222

How can I extend my Visa?

The Indian Government has announced that visas will be extended for those who have been unable to leave the country because of the lockdown measures. You should apply to the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for an extension online here.

I didn’t get a response to my email I sent to the Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk inbox?

The Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk mailbox is set to automatically acknowledge an email you have sent to us. Please check your Junk email to see if an acknowledgement has gone there. If you have not received an automated response, please double check the email address and resend your information with no attachments. If this fails, then if possible please send from another email address.

Due to the volume of emails we are receiving, we will be unable to send an individual response to everyone. We will however send any updates on the availability of flights to everyone on the list. You should also register for alerts to our Travel Advice and follow us on social media for any updates.

Please ensure to include all of the following information, so that we do not have to contact you for further information, reducing our capacity to assist. Presenting the information clearly will help us work through the information quickly. Please include, in the following format:

• Your full name (and names of any family members with you)
• Date of birth (for all named family members)
• Passport number
• Visa status
• Contact details
• Exact location in India
• Date of arrival in India
• Details of the return flight that you had planned to take back to the UK
• If you have any special circumstances, such as a medical condition

What’s happening to my information now? I’ve not received any more emails from you?

We have received a very large number of emails and we are putting all resources in place to support you as needed – we ask that you do not email us again to follow up.. We will send any updates on the availability of flights to everyone on the list. You should also register for alerts to our Travel Advice and follow us on social media for any updates.

Can I send other important information to the Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov.uk inbox?

Please only send the requested information to the conqry inbox. If you need consular assistance or guidance, please call us instead on

• New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100
• Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151
• Mumbai/Goa: +91 (22) 6650 2222

Or write to us via the web messengers:

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Youtube, Eventbrite and Blogs

DECA will remain operational in line with Government guidance throughout the COVID-19 emergency to deliver key Defence and National Security outputs, support overseas operations (where possible), and MOD contingency plans held at readiness to provide Military Assistance to the Civil Authorities.

Our Business Continuity planning is based on our ability to support those tasks which are critical to Defence and National Security interests in these challenging times, with DECA seeking urgent assistance from our customers to determine which of their products fall into these categories. We are currently contacting our customers to establish which tasks are critical so that we can plan and resource accordingly while at the same time complying with Government advice on home working for those non-critical activities or where people can operate remotely.

We also appreciate that, as the on-going situation continues to develop, critical tasks will emerge and priorities will change and we will keep our customers updated to reflect this. To remain updated with our ongoing support to defence, please subscribe to receive updates.

The statement, which is published to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, outlines action being taken to ensure that taxpayers’ money does not line the pockets of criminals who exploit vulnerable workers.

Thousands of businesses are currently required to publish annual modern slavery statements under the Act.

To lead the way for the public sector, the UK government has now published its statement which assesses the risk of modern slavery across around £50 billion of its annual spending. Individual ministerial departments will publish their modern slavery statements from 2020/21.

The government has also consulted on strengthening the requirement for large businesses to publish their modern slavery statements – including extending this to public bodies – and has committed to developing a registry for modern slavery statements.

Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins said:

As we acknowledge everything this government has achieved for victims of modern slavery over the last five years, I am proud that we are taking this unprecedented step to show how we are tackling slavery during procurement.

We are committed to targeting perpetrators and safeguarding victims of this horrific crime, both domestically and globally.

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Agnew said:

As a government, we are committed to driving out modern slavery in all forms, so it is crucial that we make sure it’s nowhere to be seen in the supply chains which helps provide our vital public services.

I am also delighted that across government, we will be publishing our own modern slavery statements, so people can see the work we are doing to fight this terrible practice.

The statement sets out the government’s efforts towards eradicating modern slavery from its supply chains, including direct engagement with around 400 suppliers on implementing effective modern slavery due diligence and delivering training to more than 250 government commercial staff.

The government has already announced plans to deliver greater social value through its commercial activities, that will incentivise businesses to become more responsible and sustainable.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 continues to be a landmark piece of legislation, which gives law enforcement greater powers to tackle modern slavery and improved essential support for victims.

Measures in the Act included:

• introduction of the statutory defence for victims who were compelled to commit criminal offences
• creation of Independent Child Trafficking Guardians in England and Wales to advocate on behalf of trafficked children
• creation of the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to encourage good practice in tackling modern slavery and the identification of victims.

Earlier this week the government published statutory guidance for safeguarding victims of modern slavery that sets out the support available to victims and the process for determining whether someone is a victim.

The number of live police operations has increased thanks to the provisions under the Act, from 188 police operations in December 2016 to at least 1,810 in February 2020. In the year to September 2019, the police recorded 6,544 offences of modern slavery, an increase of 53% compared with the previous year (4,268 offences).

Dame Sara Thornton, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said:

Five years ago, the Modern Slavery Act introduced ground-breaking new measures to improve the protection offered to victims and survivors of modern slavery and to bolster the law enforcement response against perpetrators of this devastating crime.

However, protecting victims and prosecutors is not enough. We need to do much more to tackle the structures that allow exploitation to thrive. Ensuring that businesses, public services and government are doing all they can to prevent trafficking from taking place in their supply chains is vital.

I welcome the publication of the government modern slavery statement and this commitment to continue taking a world-leading approach to tackling modern slavery.

In light of the current situation, there will be no staff based in the office at Victoria Quay for the next few weeks. Accordingly the Office of the Advocate General is, until further notice, unable to accept service of any writs, motions for specification of documents, other motions and applications or other court documents which would normally be sent by post to the Victoria Quay address.

We will however accept service of all such documents electronically. Please send all communications to DivisionASolicitors@advocategeneral.gov.uk and they will be acknowledged as soon as possible.

Please note this does not supersede any existing agreed electronic service arrangements which may be in place with private practice firms handling UK Government litigation in Scotland.

The arrangements set out in the document relating to service on the service of documents page on this website are superseded meantime.