The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel to foreign land, towns and regions. This comprises two key travel recommended 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 open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel administration company will be employed for marooned citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on going abroad and present government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reimbursement in conditions where other measures do not.

If consumers have organised travel to infected areas after a caution was issued in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are recommended to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain situations, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and due to the present circumstances, problems arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those passengers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any additional expenses for housing and any food essential. For those customers who have accepted a reimbursement, then the duty of care finishes here. It is then the duty of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to seek further support. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in relation to a destination that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller picks to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to compensation.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 genrally get a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for 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 retained until a rescheduled or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Customers deciding not to attend – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, 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 bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service resumes as normal. Others are instructing that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are advised to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel charges

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

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special events

Marriages and special events could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not conceivable, consisting 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 consumers for orders 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 delivered.

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 remain unaffected throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery companies have proclaimed delays on avoidable items in favour of delivering medical supplies and vital goods. For more details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods should be the first point of contact.

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

Nonetheless, a complete 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

While purchasing merchandise from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the trader

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

Customers who think that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their goods and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return the merchandise for a refund (total repayment in 6 months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must go with the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during discussions on the phone or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A total reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and fault noted quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the items don’t match the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a little due to the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A helpful 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 which is not required or have booked travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel provider for additional details on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that every person in a foreign land should return to the UK, a lot are yet trapped without any means to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps like specially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this may take some time. For now, they have made a lot of suggestions regarding what those people who are stuck in a foreign land should do.

If somebody suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody has, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally shown when a person 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, look at 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more details on flying back home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance should get in touch with their service provider as the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel could also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are stranded should even keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is important to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial support

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial help in certain situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those stranded don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If money runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well provide financial assistance in some situations. More details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to take care for a family member back in the UK

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

They may ask friends or family to take care of this person till they return.

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

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

If they are employed, they must keep in contact with their employer 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 make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while trapped abroad

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

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

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

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