The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, cities and locations. 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 except if it is utterly vital Several airlines are now announcing cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently stranded abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for marooned residents to book and pay for the flight home.

More details on going abroad and existing government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Complete amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening automatically for some customers, but customers can contact the company that they booked through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Consumers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a refund/modification in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial reparation in situations where other means do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected regions after a caution was published in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent events, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in several conditions, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, issues surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any further charges for accommodation and any food vital. For those consumers who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of care terminates here. It is then the duty of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where consumers feel stuck, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present location to seek more help. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in regard to a country that the traveller picks to go to, and the traveller chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Travellers are advised to check policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer 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 reserved through an certified booking site, then you should usually receive a reimbursement.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory organisation and as such, compel firms listed with them to reimburse the ticket’s face value cost when an event is cancelled. This does not include the fee paid for delivery.

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, 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 reimbursements. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a postponed or altered date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

Specific events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers choosing not to be there – If customers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the larger film groups have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will continue, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are advised 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 charges paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Seperate terms and conditions may vary, but options may be proposed to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

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

Marriages and special events could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or managing cancels, then a refund should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable 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, clients can get in touch with 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 remain the same during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have declared delays on unnecessary items for transporting medical items and vital goods. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the goods must be the first point of contact.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different situations mentioned below.

Nonetheless, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including 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

When buying items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the agentexplained
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the idea explained to the trader

When asking for replacement or repair in the first 30 days, then the consumer enters the wait period with the remainder of the thirty 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 gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, can be entitled to replacement or repair which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without resulting in considerable trouble

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

• Keep the products for a lesser price
• Return back the merchandise for a repayment (total repayment within six 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 consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must match the explanation provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats on the call or in person

If the purchaser believes that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A complete refund if the items have not been accepted (not used and fault seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the products do not match the sellers description, that can be tough if the description was given in words.

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly because of the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the ticket type.

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 planned travel that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a annulled event should contact the travel provider for additional info on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everyone in a foreign land should return back to the UK, a lot are still trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has adopted measures like specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this may take time. Meanwhile, they have made several recommendation regarding what people who are trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide advice and guidance on what to do if someone has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed when someone 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 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 contact 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 coming to an end, the actions required will depend upon the area that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, 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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional information on flying back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip home.

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

UK citizens who are stuck must even keep themselves updated on the messages from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with friends and family to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their boss and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial aid in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or people stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can also offer monetary help in some circumstances. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for somebody 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 someone else is looking after this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to look after this person until they fly back.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

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.

Benefits or state pension while stranded abroad

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

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be responed 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