The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This comprises two important travel advisory 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 accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision company will be used for stuck citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional details on going abroad and present government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Entire cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Consumers are advised to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial compensation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected areas after a notice was announced in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Consumers are recommended to check the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in several situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed situations, and owing to the current condition, issues surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any additional expenses for housing and any food vital. For those consumers who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of worry finishes here. It is then the duty of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is probable, or where customers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to obtain further help. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in regard to a destination that the traveller selects to journey to, and the traveller chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a refund due. If you feel that your consumer 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 official booking site, then you should genrally get a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket merchant, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the business 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 rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is not fitting, then a refund can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Customers wishing not to attend – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the big movie franchises have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated 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 reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be offered to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special occasions could possibly be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is key.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement 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 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 get in touch with 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 unchanged during the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have declared delays on unnecessary goods for transporting medical supplies and necessary items. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the initial point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations mentioned below.

Nevertheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including 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

While purchasing merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the tradertold
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the seller

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

Purchasers who believe that  any of the above do not fit for their products and have exceeded the first 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without resulting in considerable trouble

If a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they might instead be permitted to:

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser price
• Return the merchandise for a refund (full repayment within 6 months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must match the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during conversations over the call or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the goods do not match the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the goods have not been accepted (not used and problem observed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are worth

The burden of proof is on the client to prove that the items don’t match the sellers description, that might be tough if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the situation, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

A valuable 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 needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel service for more info on their individual terms, along with refund policies.

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

The Government has taken measures such as especially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, but this may take time. For the timebeing, they have made several suggestions about what people who are stranded abroad must do.

If someone has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the client is residing will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are generally displayed 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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 one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for additional information on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance should contact their service 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 could also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel firms.

It is essential to contact friends and family to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is also the choice for those stuck to get in touch with their boss and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary aid in some circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people stuck do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in certain circumstances. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for someone back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ensure that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could request family or friends to look after this person till they fly back.

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

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

If they are working, they must be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

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.

Benefits or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped person will still attain 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 thirteen 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 about benefit payments whilst abroad 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