The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This includes two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will return nationals 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 firm will be utilized for stuck residents to book and pay for the flight home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Patrons are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/modification in dates. Various airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial reparation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected regions after a warning was announced in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in some circumstances, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen conditions, and due to the current condition, problems surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those customers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any additional charges for accommodation and any food essential. For those customers who have received a reimbursement, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

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

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in relation to a country that the consumer chooses to go to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you think that your customer rights have been waived, 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 through an authorised booking site, then you must normally receive a refund.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or changed date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is not fitting, then a repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons wishing not to show up – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

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

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as normal. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are recommended 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 pandemic and there have been expenditures suffered for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be advanced to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to deliver the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special events

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or organising cancels, then a refund should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a refund is not probable, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers 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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery companies have proclaimed delays on unnecessary products in favour of transporting medical items and necessary goods. For extra info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods must be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various circumstances below.

However, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by going thorugh 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 should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the idea explained to the trader

When asking 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.

Buyers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical time frame
• Without causing considerable trouble

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

• Keep the goods for a lower price
• Return back the products for a reimbursement (complete reimbursement in 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must match the description given by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the customer believes that the goods don’t match the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A full reimbursement if the items have not been accepted (not used and problem noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the items are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, which can be tough if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies regarding reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly because of the situation, and an administration charge might apply, depending upon 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 Those people who have booked travel which is no longer essential or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should contact the travel provider for more information on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Although the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign country must return to the UK, a lot are yet trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has taken measures such as especially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, however this might take some time. For now, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those people who are stranded in a foreign land need to do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is residing will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary 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 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 additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be booked

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

Those people having travel insurance should contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel companies.

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

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their boss and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary help in certain circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

The UK Government has committed to ensuring that British citizens in foreign country have access to housing, medical essentials, food and water.

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in a few circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

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 trapped in a foreign country

The trapped passenger will still attain 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 13 weeks while in a foreign country.

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

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

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