The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and regions. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is utterly essential Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will return residents that are currently stuck abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel administration company will be utilized for stranded citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on travelling abroad and existing government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Complete 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 additional explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, requesting a repayment/modification in dates. Several airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reparation in conditions where other measures do not.

If patrons have planned travel to infected areas after a warning was published in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are recommended to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in some circumstances, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen conditions, and due to the current circumstances, problems occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any further costs for stay and any food required. For those customers who have accepted a refund, then the obligation of care terminates here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where consumers feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain more help. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained 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 destination that the customer selects to journey to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Travellers are urged to verify policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is required or a refund due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been waived, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and assistance.

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 should genrally receive a refund.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the particular 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 case to ask for repayments. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

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

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

Specific events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers deciding not to be there – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the greater movie franchises have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For consumers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

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 service restarts as usual. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special events

Marriages and special events could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the service or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared 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 customer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not conceivable, including any costs they have sustained 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’ accountable when a service or product 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 imposed by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unchanged during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery firms have announced delays on avoidable items in favour of shipping medical supplies and vital goods. For extra information on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products should be the very first contact point.

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

However, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the purpose explained to the dealer

When asking for repair/replacement within first 30 days, then the shopper enters the wait period with the remainder of the 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair or replacement.

Consumers who feel that  any of the above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the initial 30 days after  ordering, might be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without resulting in considerable problem

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

• Keep the goods for a lower rate
• Return the merchandise for a refund (total repayment in 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone call or personally

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

• A full re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and fault noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the items are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to prove that the items do not go with the sellers description, which could be difficult if the description was delivered verbally.

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

Scotrail are giving refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration charge might apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel that is not required or have booked travel to a annulled function should call the travel service for more details on their individual terms, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that every person abroad must return back to the UK, many are yet stuck without any means to get home.

The Government has implemented steps such as specially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this may take some time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those stuck in a foreign country should do.

If somebody suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the client is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If an affordable air flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional info on going 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 provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

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

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even the option for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in some situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those stranded do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can even offer financial help in a few circumstances. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, 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 to the UK.

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

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

If the trapped passenger has worries about their job or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are employed, 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.

Perks or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each payable for thirteen weeks while in a foreign land.

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

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

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