The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This entails two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is utterly vital Several airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently stranded abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision firm will be utilized for marooned citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional information on travelling abroad and current government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

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

Flights and hotel booked individually

Consumers are advised to call their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are permitting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial compensation in situations where other means do not.

If customers have arranged travel to infected zones after a warning was published in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain circumstances, have changed 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 unforeseen situations, and owing to the existing situation, concerns arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those passengers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further expenses for stay and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of care terminates here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stuck, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain more support. Specific embassy locations can be acquired 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 caution released in relation to a country that the consumer picks to go to, and the customer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are advised to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is required or a refund due. If you think that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 via 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 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 include the fee paid for delivery.

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly 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 rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers wishing not to be there – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Numerous of the big film groups have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For consumers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Seperate terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to provide the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special events

Marriages and special functions could possibly be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is essential.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should define in detail the cause why a repayment is not probable, consisting any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the customer.

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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers can contact their bank and attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed 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 couple of delivery companies have proclaimed delays on uneeded products for shipping medical items and necessary products. For more details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the products must be the initial contact point.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different situations listed below.

Nonetheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying goods from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

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

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

Purchasers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their items and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without leading to considerable problem

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lower price
• Return the products for a refund (complete refund within 6 months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the products must match the explanation provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during chats on the call or face to face

If the customer thinks that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they may be entitled to;

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and fault noticed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are really worth

The burden of proof is on the client to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies about refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the circumstances, and an administration charge might apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked travel that is not necessary or have booked travel to a annulled event should call the travel service for additional information on their individual terms, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has recommended that every person abroad must return back to the UK, a lot are yet trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has taken measures such as specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, however this may take time. For now, they have made numerous recommendation about what those trapped abroad need to do.

If someone suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed 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 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 call on 0207 008 1500, or simply 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 necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read 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 additional information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more details on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People with travel insurance should contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to people stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the option for those stranded to contact their employer and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in a few situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those trapped don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can even provide monetary assistance in certain circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they must ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person till they fly back.

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

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

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

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

Perks or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign land

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

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for thirteen weeks while abroad.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst abroad 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