The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but important travel to foreign countries, cities and regions. This comprises two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land unless it is utterly indispensible Several airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back citizens that are currently marooned abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel management company will be used for marooned citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional information on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a refund or, in some cases, the possibility 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 consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for extra clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Various airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to check the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may offer financial reparation in situations where other measures do not.

If patrons have planned travel to affected areas after a notice was published in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are urged to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the current situation, problems occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those passengers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further charges for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the obligation of concern terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek additional assistance. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in relation to a destination that the consumer chooses to journey to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Travellers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 reserved through an authorised booking site, then you ought to genrally receive a refund.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a postponed or altered date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema closures

Several of the larger cinema franchises have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service restarts as normal. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

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

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be advanced 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 provide the amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special functions

Weddings and special functions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not probable, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

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’ responsible when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be provided.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers 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 during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary goods in favour of shipping medical items and necessary goods. For extra info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products should be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentmentioned
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the purpose told to the seller

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

Buyers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their goods and have exceeded the first thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without resulting in significant difficulty

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they might rather be allowed to:

• Keep the items for a lesser price
• Return back the products for a refund (total repayment within six months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must suit the description provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the call or in person

If the purchaser feels that the items don’t go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A full refund if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and fault seen quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the items don’t go with the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies about re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit because of the circumstances, and an administration fee may apply, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned a trip that is no longer required or have planned travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel service for additional info on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everyone abroad must return to the UK, a lot are still stranded with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken steps such as specially chartered planes to help get citizens home, but this may take some time. For the timebeing, they have made numerous recommendation about what those people who are stranded in a foreign country 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 residing will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally shown 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 more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate 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 instead visit:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more information on flying back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip home.

Those people with travel insurance should get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel may also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact 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 people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary support

There is also the choice for those stranded to get in touch with their manager and request for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary help in certain situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer monetary aid in certain situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they should keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

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

Perks or state pension while stuck in a foreign land

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land 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 13 weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments while in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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