The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign countries, cities and locations. This entails two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is utterly vital Many airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return nationals that are currently marooned abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

More info on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Customers are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Many airlines are permitting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may offer financial reparation in conditions where other means do not.

If customers have planned travel to infected zones after a notice was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are urged to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed situations, and owing to the existing circumstances, problems arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those customers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any extra expenses for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have received a repayment, then the responsibility of worry ends here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to seek further support. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in relation to a destination that the consumer chooses to travel to, and the customer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to compensation.

Consumers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a refund due. If you belive that your customer rights have been waived, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and assistance.

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 through an authorised booking site, then you must genrally get a repayment.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request repayments. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained 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 incompatible, then a reimbursement can be bidden through the original booking company.

As with cancelled events, this may not comprise the charges incurred for booking fees or delivery.

Specific events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers wishing not to be there – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the big cinema chains have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been charges paid for hotels and travel, then the businesses for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but options 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 unable to deliver the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special events could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the service or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should define in detail the cause why a repayment is not conceivable, including any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

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

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 remain unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary goods in favour of shipping medical items and vital products. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products must be the very first point of contact.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances listed below.

However, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing merchandise from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradertold
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea told to the seller

If asking for repair or replacement in the first 30 days, then the shopper enters the wait period with the remainder of the 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair/replacement.

Consumers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have passed the first thirty days after  purchase, might be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

In case a replacement or repair is not possible then they might instead be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a lesser rate
• Return back the goods for a refund (total repayment in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during conversations over the phone or personally

If the customer believes that the items do not go with the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A full re-payment if the goods have not been accepted (not used and fault noted immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the items do not match the sellers description, that could be difficult if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies about re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip which is no longer needed or have booked travel to a cancelled occasion should contact the travel provider for more details on their individual terms, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has recommended that everyone in a foreign land should return to the United Kingdom, a lot are still stranded with no way to get back home.

The Government has adopted measures like especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this might take some time. In the meantime, they have made numerous recommendation about what those trapped in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will give advice and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are generally revealed when someone has coronavirus. This is listed at:

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

The embassy or consulate in the region where the UK citizen stays 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 simply check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions mandatory will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by checking out:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more info on going back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People having travel insurance must contact their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped must also keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to people stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is even the option for those trapped to get in touch with their boss and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial aid in a few situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those trapped do not have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial help in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for someone back in the UK

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They may request family or friends to look after this person until they return.

If no other option is available, the home local authority should be contacted for further suggestion and help.

If the stranded passenger has tension regarding their employment or self-employment

If they are employed, they should contact their manager wherever possible to keep them updated on 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 trapped abroad

The stranded person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each one is payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign land can be answered 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