The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel abroad, towns and locations. This includes two key travel recommended 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, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is totally essential Many airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are currently marooned abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for stranded residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

More information on travelling abroad and existing government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their destination – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Customers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Several airlines are allowing passengers 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

Consumers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial compensation in circumstances where other means do not.

If consumers have planned travel to infected zones after a warning was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are recommended to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented situations, and due to the existing situation, concerns occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those travellers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any further expenses for housing and any food vital. For those consumers who have received a reimbursement, then the obligation of concern terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more support. Specific embassy locations can be acquired 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 notice released in regard to a country that the consumer selects to travel to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Consumers are advised to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you belive that your customer rights have been breached, 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 booked through an official booking site, then you should genrally obtain a reimbursement.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or revised date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema cessations

Quiet a few of the big film chains have declared that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

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

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

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

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to provide the amenity due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special occasions

Marriages and special occasions could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company offering the service or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is key.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should outline in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising 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’ responsible 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, clients can get in touch with 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 the same throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical companies have proclaimed delays on non-essential products in favour of delivering medical items and necessary products. For extra info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items must be the very first point of contact.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that applies in various circumstances below.

Nonetheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is accessible by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying products from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellertold
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the purpose explained to the trader

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

Customers who feel that  any of the above do not apply to their goods and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without leading to considerable problem

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must match the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during conversations over the call or personally

If the purchaser feels that the goods don’t match the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and problem noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the products are worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the products do not match the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was given verbally.

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

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a little due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned a trip that is no longer essential or have planned travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel provider for more information on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has advised that every person in a foreign country should come back to the UK, a lot are still stuck without any means to get home.

The Government has implemented steps like specially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, but this may take some time. For now, they have made numerous recommendation about what those trapped in a foreign land must do.

If someone has or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is residing will give suggestion and help on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed when somebody is infected by 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend on the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional information on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People having travel insurance must contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months 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 are stuck should even keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel companies.

It is vital to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / financial assistance

There is also the option for those stuck to contact their manager and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary help in some circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well offer financial aid in some circumstances. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

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

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

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

If the stranded passenger has worries regarding 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 condition.

If they are working, they can still 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 whilst trapped abroad

The trapped person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to 4 weeks.

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 country.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments while 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 clicking:

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