The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, cities and locations. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be employed for stranded residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

More info on going abroad and present government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Patrons are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a compensation/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

In situations where the hotel and location are functioning, and the booking is non-refundable, then travellers may miss out.

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reimbursement in circumstances where other ways do not.

If customers have planned travel to infected areas after a notice was announced in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Consumers are urged to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the present situation, issues occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any further expenses for accommodation and any food essential. For those patrons who have received a repayment, then the obligation of concern finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to get more support. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in regard to a country that the customer picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to compensation.

Consumers are insisted to verify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you belive that your customer rights have been breached, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and advice.

Events and Entertainment

Cancelled events

If the tickets to an event such as a concert or sports event have been cancelled, and these have been reserved by means of an certified booking site, then you must usually get a reimbursement.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, require firms listed with them to refund the ticket’s face value amount when an event is cancelled. This does not comprise the fee paid for delivery.

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request reimbursements. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a postponed or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be requested via the original booking company.

As with cancelled events, this may not include the costs paid for booking fees or delivery.

Certain events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers wishing not to show up – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the larger film groups have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been charges suffered for hotels and travel, then the establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Seperate terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be proposed to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to current circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special functions could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is essential.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the reason why a repayment is not conceivable, consisting any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ responsible when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, clients can get in touch with their bank and try to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have declared delays on unnecessary goods in favour of shipping medical supplies and necessary goods. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the products should be the initial point of contact.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

However, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentexplained
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose made known to the agent

When asking for replacement or repair within first 30 days, then the purchaser enters the wait period with the remaining thirty days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after replacement or repair.

Consumers who believe that  any of the above do not apply to their items and have passed the first 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without causing significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement is not possible then they may rather be permitted to:

• Keep the products for a reduced rate
• Return the products for a reimbursement (complete refund in six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must go with the explanation given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats on the call or in person

If the purchaser believes that the items don’t match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete refund if the products have not been accepted (not used and defect noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are really worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, that can be difficult if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies regarding reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the situation, and an administration fee may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked a trip that is not required or have planned travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for more information on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign country should return back to the United Kingdom, several are yet stuck without any way to come back home.

The Government has taken steps such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this may take some time. In the meantime, they have made several suggestions about what those stranded in a foreign country need to do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the client is residing will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed when somebody is suffering from coronavirus. This is available at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms-and-what-to-do/

The embassy or consulate in the area where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

https://www.gov.uk/world/embassies#

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend upon the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

https://www.gov.uk/world/embassies

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more details on flying back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People with travel insurance must get in touch with their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel could also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded should also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel firms.

It is essential to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to people stranded to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary support

There is even the choice for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial help in some situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has committed to guaranteeing that British citizens in foreign country have access to housing, medical supplies, food and water.

If money runs out whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can also provide financial assistance in a few situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they come back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to take care of this person till they return back.

If no other choice is available, the home local authority should be contacted for further support and advice.

If the trapped passenger has pressure about their job or self-employment

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated about their situation.

If they are doing a job, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst stuck abroad

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid irrespective of how long the citizen stays in a foreign country.

Any queries or doubts regarding benefit payments whilst abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or checking out:

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad