The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This includes two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back citizens that are currently stuck abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision firm will be used for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

Further info on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – 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

Entire expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but customers can contact the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Patrons are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Several airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected regions after a notice was issued in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are recommended to check the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have altered cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and owing to the existing circumstances, problems surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any extra costs for stay and any food essential. For those patrons who have taken a refund, then the obligation of care ends here. It is then the duty of the commuter to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where consumers feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current locality to get additional support. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in regard to a destination that the customer chooses to go to, and the traveller chooses to call off their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Consumers are advised to verify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your customer rights have been breached, 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 booked through an authorised booking site, then you must genrally get a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business 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 kept until a rearranged or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a reimbursement 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 be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema cessations

Quiet a few of the larger cinema franchises have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are recommended to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but options may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special events

Weddings and special events could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is key.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should define in detail the basis why a refund is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable 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 imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are the same during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have announced delays on non-essential items in favour of delivering medical items and essential products. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the goods should be the first contact point.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is valid in different situations listed below.

Nevertheless, a more inclusive 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

While purchasing merchandise from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellerexplained
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea told to the agent

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

Customers who feel that  any of the above don’t fit for their goods and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without leading to significant difficulty

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

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return the products for a refund (total reimbursement within six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is ordered from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must go with the explanation given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone call or in person

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

• A complete reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and issue observed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the products do not go with the sellers description, that can be difficult if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel providers 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 slightly because of the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked a trip which is no longer needed or have planned travel to a annulled event should get in touch with the travel service for more info on their individual terms, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign land should come back to the UK, several are still trapped without any means to get home.

The Government has adopted steps such as especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this may take some time. In the meanwhile, they have made several recommendation regarding what people who are stranded abroad should do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident should take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when somebody is suffering from 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 more information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, look at 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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 additional info on flying back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

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

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

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is even the option for those stuck to contact their boss and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary help in a few situations. Additional 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 making sure that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical essentials, water and food.

If cash runs out whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary aid in certain situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to look after this person till they return back.

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

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

If they are working, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

If they are employed, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst trapped abroad

The trapped passenger will still receive 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 while abroad.

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

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

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