The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign land, cities and areas. This entails two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries unless it is totally vital Many airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will return residents 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 committed travel administration company will be employed for stuck nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

More 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 – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but patrons can contact the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a repayment/modification in dates. Many airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reparation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected areas after a caution was announced in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are urged to check 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 happenings, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the existing circumstances, issues occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional expenses for housing and any food required. For those patrons who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stuck, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to seek further support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in regard to a destination that the consumer selects to journey to, and the customer chooses to call off their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Customers are insisted to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a reimbursement 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 by means of an certified booking site, then you must normally receive a repayment.

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

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

Rescheduled events

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

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

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

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

Cinema closures

Numerous of the greater movie chains have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service recommences as regular. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to current circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to provide the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special functions

Marriages and special functions could possibly be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have sustained 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’ responsible 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, clients can contact 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 remain unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery firms have declared delays on non-essential items for delivering medical items and vital items. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the items must be the initial contact point.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances mentioned below.

Nevertheless, a complete 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 seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the idea made known to the dealer

If requesting 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.

Buyers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their goods and have exceeded the first thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without leading to considerable trouble

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

• Keep the items for a reduced rate
• Return back the products for a repayment (complete reimbursement in six months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must go with the explanation given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone or in person

If the purchaser feels that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A full re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and fault noticed instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, which might be tough if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel providers have different guidelines about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel which is no longer needed or have booked travel to a cancelled event should contact the travel provider for more info on their individual terms and conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that every person in a foreign land should come back to the UK, many are still trapped without any way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps such as specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this may take time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous suggestions about what those stranded in a foreign country should do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and help on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically displayed when somebody is suffering from 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 stays can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, look at 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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for additional info on transport home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance must contact their service provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who can’t afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are trapped must even keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel companies.

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 transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even 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 offer financial help in some circumstances. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can also provide financial help in some circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for somebody in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they should make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to take care of this person till they return back.

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

If the trapped passenger has worries regarding their employment or self-employment

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

If they are doing a job, they can still 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 whilst stuck in a foreign country

The stranded person will still get 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 whilst in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen has been in a foreign land.

Any queries or doubts about 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 visiting:

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