The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, cities and locations. This entails two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is absolutely indispensible Various airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are presently stranded abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management company will be employed for stranded citizens to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further info on travelling abroad and current government suggestions 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 another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening automatically for some customers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Consumers are suggested to call their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Several airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial compensation in circumstances where other means do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected areas after a caution was issued in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are advised to check the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in several circumstances, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and due to the existing circumstances, issues arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those travellers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should also pay for any further expenses for stay and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a repayment, then the obligation of worry terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain more help. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired 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 notice issued in regard to a destination that the customer picks to journey to, and the consumer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are insisted to verify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a refund due. If you feel 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 booked through an certified booking site, then you must genrally get a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, compel firms enlisted with them to reimburse the ticket’s face value price when an event is cancelled. This does not consist of the charges incurred for delivery.

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

Postponed events

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

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

Individual events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers choosing not to attend – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the big film chains have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service restarts as usual. Others are advising that they will be pausing 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 expenditures

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

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but options may be proposed to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to present situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to deliver the service due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special events could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the service or managing cancels, then a refund should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is key.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not probable, consisting 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 buyers for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable 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, consumers can contact 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 remain unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on non-essential items for delivering medical items and essential goods. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the initial contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in different circumstances below.

Nonetheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is accessible 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 trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

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

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 replacement or repair.

Purchasers who feel that  any of the above don’t fit for their items and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without resulting in significant trouble

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

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return back the items for a repayment (total reimbursement within six months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during discussions over the call or face to face

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

• A full reimbursement if the items have not been accepted (not used and problem seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the products do not go with the sellers description, that might be difficult if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines about reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the situation, and an administration charge might apply, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is not necessary or have planned travel to a annulled function should call the travel provider for additional details on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Although the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign country should return back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stuck with no way to get back home.

The Government has adopted measures like specially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, but this may take some time. In the meantime, they have made numerous recommendation about what those people who are stranded in a foreign country should do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is residing will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the citizen must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are generally revealed 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information 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 visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read 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 more info 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 reasonably priced flight to home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional details on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those with travel insurance should get in touch with their service provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who can’t afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are stranded must also keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel companies.

It is important to get in touch with friends and family to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is also the option for those stranded to get in touch with their employer and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary assistance in certain situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

The UK Government has committed to ensuring that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical supplies, food and water.

If money is over whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in a few circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should ensure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this until they return back to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to take care of this person until they return back.

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

If the stranded passenger has worries regarding their job or self-employment

If they are working, they must contact their manager wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

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

Benefits or state pension whilst stuck 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 person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid regardless of how long the citizen stays abroad.

Any queries or doubts regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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