The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This entails two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is absolutely essential Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are presently stranded abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel management firm will be utilized for stranded nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further info on travelling abroad and current government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Customers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Various airlines are permitting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reparation in situations where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected regions after a warning was published in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are recommended to check the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, 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 unexpecteed conditions, and due to the current situation, concerns occuring 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 concern to those passengers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any additional costs for housing and any food vital. For those patrons who have taken a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care finishes here. It is then the duty of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to seek additional support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a destination that the consumer chooses to go to, and the consumer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Consumers are advised to verify policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your customer rights have been breached, 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 reserved through an certified booking site, then you should usually get a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or altered date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is not fitting, then a refund can be requested through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons wishing not to show up – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big movie chains have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will continue, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but options may be advanced to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special events

Marriages and special functions could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not conceivable, consisting 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 clients for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ responsible when a service or product 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 imposed 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 couple of delivery companies have declared delays on unnecessary goods in favour of transporting medical items and essential goods. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the goods must be the initial contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, 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 items from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellerexplained
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the idea told to the dealer

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

Consumers who feel that  any of the above don’t apply to their items and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without resulting in significant difficulty

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

• Keep the items for a lower rate
• Return the goods for a refund (complete reimbursement in 6 months or perhaps partial refund 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 merchandise must match the explanation provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations on the phone call or personally

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

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

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the goods don’t match the sellers description, that can be tough if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines regarding refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a little due to the circumstances, and an administration fee may apply, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked travel that is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled function should contact the travel service for additional info on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Although the Government has advised that everybody in a foreign land should return back to the UK, a lot are still trapped with no way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps such as especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this might take time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of suggestions regarding what those people who are trapped in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

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

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally displayed when someone 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 region where the UK citizen finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, look at 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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply 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 info on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those people having travel insurance must contact their service provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should even keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and request for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in a few situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stranded do not 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 essentials, food and water.

If money runs out whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can also provide monetary assistance in certain situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is stuck abroad, they must ascertain that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to continue to do this until they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they must keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

If they are employed, 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 while stuck in a foreign country

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad 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 13 weeks while in a foreign land.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign country can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or visiting:

https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad