The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This includes two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is totally vital Many airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that many 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 affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return residents that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision firm will be used for stranded residents to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on going abroad and present government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Many airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If customers have organised travel to affected zones after a warning was published in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are advised to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company promptly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in several circumstances, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and owing to the existing condition, concerns surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty 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 stay and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a reimbursement, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current locality to get further assistance. Individual embassy locations can be found 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 caution issued in regard to a country that the consumer picks to journey to, and the traveller picks to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you think that your customer rights have been violated, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 official booking site, then you must genrally get a refund.

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

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

Postponed events

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

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

Certain events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

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

Cinema closures

Several of the big cinema franchises have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Seperate terms and conditions may vary, but choices may be proposed to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present situations.

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

Marriages and special occasions could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company offering the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever 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 rearrange the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is vital.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not possible, 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 clients for purchases 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 provided.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers can contact their bank and try to 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 throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have proclaimed delays on avoidable products in favour of delivering medical items and essential items. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items must be the first point of contact.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances listed below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying merchandise from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the trader

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

Buyers who feel that  any of the above don’t apply to their products and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, can be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without resulting in significant difficulty

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they may instead be allowed to:

• Keep the products for a lesser rate
• Return back the products for a refund (total reimbursement within 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone call or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the items don’t go with the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

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

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

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked travel which is not necessary or have planned travel to a annulled function should call the travel provider for additional details on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign country should return to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet trapped without any way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this may take some time. For now, they have made several recommendation regarding what those trapped abroad must do.

If someone has or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally revealed when somebody has 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 resides can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, 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 get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a reasonably priced flight home cannot be found

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

People having travel insurance should contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stranded should even keep themselves informed on the announcements 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 cash to those people trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is also the option for those stranded to get in touch with their manager and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial aid in certain situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If money is over whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can as well offer financial help in some situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for a relative back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they must ensure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they return back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

If they are doing a job, they can still 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 while stuck abroad

The stranded passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country 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 thirteen weeks while abroad.

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

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign land 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