The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and areas. This includes 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 abroad unless it is utterly essential Many airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are presently marooned abroad. Further information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel administration firm will be used for marooned residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Complete cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Customers are recommended to contact their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial compensation in circumstances where other means do not.

If patrons have organised travel to affected areas after a caution was published in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and due to the existing situation, issues arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those customers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any additional expenses for housing and any food required. For those customers who have taken a refund, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain more support. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in regard to a country that the customer picks to travel to, and the customer selects to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to repayment.

Travellers are insisted to verify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a refund due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 via an authorised booking site, then you ought to normally get a refund.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company who formerly 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 rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

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

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

Certain events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Customers wishing not to be there – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Numerous of the big cinema franchises have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

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

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but options may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special functions could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company offering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a refund should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, consisting any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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 scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on non-essential products in favour of delivering medical items and essential goods. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the products should be the initial contact point.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various circumstances listed below.

Nevertheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by visiting 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 must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentmentioned
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose made known to the seller

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

Consumers who think that  any of the above do not fit for their goods and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical timescale
• Without leading to considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the items for a reduced price
• Return back the items for a reimbursement (full repayment within 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during conversations over the call or in person

If the purchaser feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A complete refund if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and defect observed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, that might be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked a trip that is no longer essential or have planned travel to a annulled event should get in touch with the travel service for more information on their individual terms, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everybody in a foreign country should return to the UK, a lot are yet stranded without any means to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps like especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, however this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made numerous suggestions about what those people who are trapped abroad must do.

If someone has or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is staying will give advice and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically shown when somebody is infected by coronavirus. This is listed 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions necessary will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located 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 details on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more details on going back home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance should contact their provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped must even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to those stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is even the choice for those stranded to contact their manager and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in certain situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can even offer financial aid in a few circumstances. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to care for a relative 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 requested to continue to do this till they return to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to take care of this person until they fly back.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

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

Perks or state pension whilst stranded in a foreign land

The trapped person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign land.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any questions or doubts 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