The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel abroad, cities and areas. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is absolutely vital Several airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision firm will be used for marooned residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

More info on travelling abroad and present government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Complete amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Patrons are advised to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial compensation in conditions where other ways do not.

If customers have arranged travel to infected regions after a caution was announced in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are advised to check the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen situations, and due to the current circumstances, concerns surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those passengers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further expenses for accommodation and any food vital. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care finishes here. It is then the duty of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek further assistance. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution released in regard to a country that the consumer selects to go to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your customer rights have been breached, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 booked via an authorised booking site, then you should usually receive a repayment.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket merchant, the specific company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request reimbursements. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or altered date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a repayment can be requested through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers wishing not to attend – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater cinema groups have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

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

Seperate terms and conditions may differ, but options may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special events

Weddings and special occasions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the service or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not conceivable, including 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 clients 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 and make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery and logistical firms have declared delays on avoidable products for delivering medical items and necessary items. For more details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the items must be the initial point of contact.

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

Nevertheless, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerdescribed
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the idea told to the trader

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

Customers who think that  any of the above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in considerable inconvenience

If a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a lower price
• Return the goods for a reimbursement (full reimbursement in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must go with the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during discussions on the phone call or personally

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

• A full re-payment if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and problem observed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules about refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a annulled function should call the travel service for additional information on their individual conditions, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign country must come back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stuck without any way to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as specially chartered planes to help get citizens home, but this might take some time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of suggestions about what those stranded abroad must do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the client is residing will give suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are typically revealed when someone is infected by 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 stays 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 otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend upon the area that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for more information on transport home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those people with travel insurance should get in touch with their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stranded should even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people stuck to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the option for those stranded 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 provide monetary aid in some situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has committed to making sure that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical essentials, food and water.

If money runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer financial assistance in certain situations. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for a family member back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they should make sure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they return to the UK.

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

If no option is available, the home local authority must be contacted for further support and advice.

If the trapped passenger has tension about their employment or self-employment

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

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

Perks or state pension while trapped abroad

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 4 weeks.

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

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

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

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