The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign land, towns and areas. This includes two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is totally indispensible Various airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

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

Further info on going abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

In circumstances where the hotel and place are operational, and the booking is non-refundable, then travellers may lose out.

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may offer financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If customers have arranged travel to affected regions after a warning was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are recommended to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain circumstances, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and due to the existing situation, issues arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those passengers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any extra expenses for housing and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of worry ends here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where consumers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain more help. Specific embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers opting to cancel their travel plans

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

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your customer rights have been waived, 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 through an authorised booking site, then you ought to usually obtain a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory association and as such, compel firms enlisted with them to repay the ticket’s face value amount when an event is cancelled. This does not include the costs paid for delivery.

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who originally 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 postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a postponed or changed date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Customers wishing not to show up – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater movie chains have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly fees will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as regular. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been expenditures paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be advanced to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to current conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special events could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the service or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is key.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should outline in detail the reason why a refund is not possible, comprising any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers 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 entertained.

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

Consumer rights are the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical companies have announced delays on non-essential goods for transporting medical supplies and vital items. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the first point of contact.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in various circumstances mentioned below.

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

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

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradertold
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the dealer

If requesting for repair/replacement in the first thirty days, then the purchaser enters the wait period with the remaining thirty days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair or replacement.

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing significant trouble

If a replacement or repair isn’t possible then they might rather be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a lesser price
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (full refund within 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the products must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats on the call or face to face

If the purchaser thinks that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and defect noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the products are worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the goods do not match the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was delivered in words.

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

Scotrail are providing refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the situation, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A useful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned travel which is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel provider for additional info on their individual terms and conditions, including refund guidelines.

Although the Government has Informed that everyone in a foreign land must return back to the United Kingdom, many are yet trapped with no means to get back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this might take some time. For the moment, they have made numerous recommendation about what those stranded in a foreign country should do.

If someone suffers or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is staying will provide suggestion and help on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident should take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when someone is suffering from coronavirus. This is listed 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions necessary will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

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

Those people with travel insurance should contact their provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel may also check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should even keep themselves updated on the announcements from local travel firms.

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stranded to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial assistance in certain situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign country, The UK Government can even offer monetary assistance in a few situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

If no option is available, the home local authority must 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 be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are employed, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst stranded abroad

The trapped passenger will still attain 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 thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign land.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen has been in a foreign land.

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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