The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This entails two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is utterly indispensible Several airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision firm will be used for marooned citizens to reserve and pay for the flight home.

More info on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire expense 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.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Consumers are advised to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are recommended to certify the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial reimbursement in circumstances where other means do not.

If customers have organised travel to infected zones after a warning was announced in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers 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 events, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain situations, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and due to the existing circumstances, issues arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those customers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further costs for stay and any food required. For those patrons who have received a refund, then the responsibility of worry terminates here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current locality to obtain more assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in regard to a country that the traveller picks to go to, and the consumer chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to verify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is required or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 certified booking site, then you must usually get a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for refunds. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled 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 pushed to is unsuitable, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons choosing not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

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

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as regular. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but options may be offered to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

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

Weddings and special events could possibly be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the cause why a refund is not probable, including any costs they have experienced 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’ liable when a product or service 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 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 unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical companies have proclaimed delays on unnecessary items for delivering medical items and essential products. For extra details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products must be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the tradermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the purpose made known to the dealer

When asking for repair or replacement in the first 30 days, then the buyer enters the wait period with the remainder of the 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after replacement or repair.

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

• Free of charge
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing considerable trouble

If a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be allowed to:

• Keep the merchandise for a lower rate
• Return back the items for a refund (total repayment within 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must match the description given by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the buyer believes that the goods don’t go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A complete reimbursement if the products have not been accepted (not used and problem noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the items are actually 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 providers have different policies regarding re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel which is not required or have booked travel to a annulled event should call the travel provider for more info on their individual terms, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has recommended that everybody abroad must return back to the UK, several are still stuck with no means to get back home.

The Government has taken measures like specially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, however this may take some time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If someone suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the client is residing will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are generally displayed when a person 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 region where the UK citizen finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

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

Additionally, 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 closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight home cannot be booked

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

People having travel insurance must contact their provider because the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stranded must even keep themselves informed on the notice from local travel firms.

It is essential to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even the option for those stuck to get in touch with their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial assistance in certain circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those stranded don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can even provide financial help in certain circumstances. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to look after this person till they come back.

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

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

If they are employed, they must contact their boss wherever possible to keep them updated about their condition.

If they are employed, 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 whilst trapped in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get 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 land.

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

Any questions or doubts regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign land 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