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Belarus issues recommendations for tourists over coronavirus

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MINSK, 16 March (BelTA) – The Sports and Tourism Ministry of Belarus has explained the procedure of canceling trips amidst the coronavirus epidemic. A tourist can annul a contract with a travel agency any time over safety concerns, BelTA learned from the press service of the ministry.

Canceling trips to at-risk countries

Taking into consideration that circumstances have changed considerably since the signing of a contract with a travel agency, a customer has the right to annul or amend the contract. (Part 1, Article 421 of the Civil Code).

These circumstances include decisions of the governments of destination countries to impose a lockdown, to announce an emergency or take other measures that restrict access to these locations for foreign nationals, as well as cancellation of flights and other reasons that make trips impossible.

In this case customers should get a full refund, the Sports and Tourism Ministry emphasized.

The same applies to the countries that have not shut down their borders but imposed travel bans and restrictions for locations included in the tourist itinerary and the change of the itinerary is not possible.

Canceling trips to no-risk countries

Tourists have the right to cancel trips to no-risk countries. However, in this case they will have to cover the costs that have already been incurred by a travel agency. This is stipulated by the law “On tourism” and other related regulations.

Travel agencies have to provide evidence for the costs they have incurred.

At the same time, travel agencies have to take measures to guarantee the safety of the trip and to take the necessary and adequate measures to minimize the costs incurred and to provide valid information about them.

Of a travel agency has not incurred any costs, or has failed to provide evidence of such costs or if this evidence is incomplete, the agency has to make a full refund.

If a customer annuls a contract, a travel agency cannot charge him/her any penalties and fines.

If a trip starts after April 2020, the Sports and Tourism Ministry recommends to wait and see instead of canceling a trip right away, because the situation with the coronavirus epidemic may change.

Signing and changing a contract

A travel agency should provide the exhaustive and reliable information about a tour and guarantee the safety of the service.

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