The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This entails two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, 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 to foreign land unless it is absolutely indispensible Various airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently marooned abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management firm will be utilized for stuck citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on travelling abroad and present government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

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

If customers have organised travel to affected regions after a notice was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain situations, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented conditions, and owing to the present situation, concerns surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those passengers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should also pay for any additional expenses for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have accepted a refund, then the duty of concern ends here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to get additional support. Specific embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a destination that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a refund due. If you feel that your consumer 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 via an authorised booking site, then you ought to normally obtain a repayment.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a postponed or revised date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a refund can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers wishing not to attend – If consumers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the greater film franchises have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to postpone 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 charges will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

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

Weddings and special events could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the service or managing cancels, then a repayment should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the basis why a refund is not probable, comprising any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the consumer.

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 contact their bank and try to 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 during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery companies have proclaimed delays on uneeded products for shipping medical supplies and vital products. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the products must be the initial point of contact.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that applies in various situations mentioned below.

However, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the seller

When requesting for repair/replacement in the first thirty days, then the shopper enters the wait period with the remaining 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair/replacement.

Purchasers who feel that  any of the above do not fit for their items and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

In case a replacement or repair isn’t possible then they may instead be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a lower price
• Return back the merchandise for a reimbursement (total refund in six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during chats over the phone call or face to face

If the buyer believes that the goods don’t go with the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete refund if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and problem observed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, that could be difficult if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A useful 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 booked a trip that is no longer required or have planned travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for more information on their individual terms, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign land should return to the United Kingdom, many are yet stuck with no means to get home.

The Government has adopted steps like specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take some time. In the meantime, they have made several suggestions about what those people who are stranded abroad need to do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the client is staying will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed when a person 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 area where the UK citizen finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, check out 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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional details on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional info 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 cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could even check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is vital to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary help in a few circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can even provide financial assistance in some circumstances. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for someone back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to continue to do this until they return back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they must be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about 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 request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst stranded abroad

The trapped person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each one is payable for thirteen 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 country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or clicking:

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