The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and areas. This entails two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries unless it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently stranded abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be used for marooned nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

More info on travelling abroad and existing government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but consumers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Customers are advised to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

In conditions 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 particulars of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may offer financial compensation in conditions where other measures do not.

If customers have organised travel to infected zones after a warning was issued in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are urged to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed situations, and due to the present circumstances, issues surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those passengers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any extra charges for housing and any food vital. For those consumers who have taken a refund, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the duty of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to get additional support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained 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 notice released in regard to a destination that the traveller chooses to journey to, and the consumer selects to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Consumers are urged to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is wanted or a refund due. If you belive that your customer rights have been waived, 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 official booking site, then you must normally receive a refund.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the business who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request repayments. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or revised date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a repayment can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers choosing not to attend – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is little possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big film chains have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are recommended 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 expenditures paid for hotels and travel, then the companies for every one 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 current circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special occasions could possibly be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a repayment should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the customer, or person who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

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

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’ 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, buyers can get in touch with their bank and attempt 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 unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery companies have announced delays on uneeded goods in favour of delivering medical items and essential items. For more info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the products must be the initial point of contact.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different circumstances listed below.

But, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is accessible by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering goods from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradertold
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the dealer

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

Consumers who feel that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their items and have exceeded the first thirty days after  purchase, might be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without resulting in considerable problem

If a repair or replacement is not possible then they may instead be permitted to:

• Keep the products for a lesser rate
• Return the items for a reimbursement (full reimbursement in six 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 buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the products must suit the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone call or in person

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

• A total refund if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noted quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are actually worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, that can be hard if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules regarding reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly due to the situation, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned a trip that is no longer required or have booked travel to a cancelled occasion should call the travel provider for more information on their individual conditions, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has advised that everyone in a foreign land should return back to the UK, many are yet stuck without any means to get home.

The Government has implemented steps like especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this might take some time. For now, they have made several suggestions regarding what those stuck abroad need to do.

If somebody has or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is residing will provide advice and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed when someone has 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend on the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by checking out:

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 additional details on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional information on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those with 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. People who can’t afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are trapped should also keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is vital to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to those trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is also the option for those trapped to contact their manager and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in some circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

The UK Government has committed to making sure that British citizens in foreign country have access to accommodation, medical essentials, water and food.

If money runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even provide monetary assistance in certain circumstances. More info 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 abroad, they should ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person until they return back.

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

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

If they are employed, they should keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

If they are doing a job, 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 in a foreign land

The trapped person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for around one 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 regardless of how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any queries 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 visiting:

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