The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is utterly essential Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be utilized for stranded residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Additional information on going abroad and current government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire cost of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some customers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Customers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Many airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial compensation in situations where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected areas after a notice was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in some situations, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen circumstances, and owing to the current situation, concerns arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those passengers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should also pay for any additional costs for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of care terminates here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where patrons feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain additional assistance. Detailed 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 published in regard to a country that the customer picks to go to, and the customer selects to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are advised to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a repayment due. If you think that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 official booking site, then you must normally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for repayments. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Patrons wishing not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the larger movie franchises have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already bought tickets, refunds or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as normal. Others are advising that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to provide the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company providing the service or managing cancels, then a refund should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is key.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not possible, consisting any costs they have incurred 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’ 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, clients can contact their bank and try and 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 unaffected during the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on non-essential items for transporting medical supplies and vital items. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods must be the very first contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different situations listed below.

, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering 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

When purchasing items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentmentioned
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the idea explained to the dealer

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

Customers who think that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their products and have passed the first 30 days after  purchase, might be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without resulting in considerable trouble

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

• Keep the items for a lesser price
• Return the merchandise for a refund (complete refund in 6 months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the products must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the phone or personally

If the customer thinks that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and defect observed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are worth

The burden of proof is on the client to prove that the items do not match the sellers description, which can be difficult if the description was delivered in words.

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

Scotrail are offering refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit because of the situation, and an administration charge might apply, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked a trip that is not required or have booked travel to a cancelled occasion should call the travel provider for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Although the Government has advised that everybody abroad should return back to the UK, many are yet stranded with no way to get back home.

The Government has taken steps such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this may take time. For now, they have made a lot of suggestions regarding what those people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If somebody has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the buyer is residing will give advice and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 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 expiring, the actions required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by checking out:

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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional information on going back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance should contact their service provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are trapped must also keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in some circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

The UK Government has promised to guaranteeing that British citizens abroad have access to housing, medical supplies, water and food.

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

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to continue to do this till they return to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to look after this person till they return back.

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

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

If they are employed, they must be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are employed, 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 whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country 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 regardless of how long the citizen stays in a foreign land.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or visiting:

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