The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign land, towns and regions. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries except if it is absolutely indispensible Various airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return residents that are currently marooned abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel administration firm will be employed for marooned residents to book and pay for the flight home.

More details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their destination – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Whole amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but patrons can contact the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Many airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected areas after a caution was published in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are urged to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and owing to the existing situation, issues surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those passengers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any additional costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a repayment, then the duty of worry finishes here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is probable, or where customers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to get additional support. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in regard to a destination that the traveller picks to travel to, and the customer selects to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to check policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been breached, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 official booking site, then you must normally get a repayment.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rescheduled or altered date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers deciding not to show up – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the greater movie franchises have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as normal. Others are advising that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are advised to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

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

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to provide the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special events

Weddings and special functions could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should define in detail the cause why a refund is not probable, comprising 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 buyers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable 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 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 remain unchanged during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have announced delays on unnecessary items for shipping medical items and vital items. For extra details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the very first point of contact.

We have explained the important consumer rights legislation that applies in various situations mentioned below.

However, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering goods from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the agent

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

Customers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their products and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without resulting in significant trouble

In case a replacement or repair is not possible then they might instead be entitled to:

• Keep the products for a lesser price
• Return the goods for a reimbursement (complete repayment in six months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during chats over the phone or face to face

If the purchaser believes that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and defect seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are actually worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the items don’t match the sellers description, that might be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules about reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked a trip which is not necessary or have planned travel to a annulled event should call the travel service for more info on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has Informed that everyone in a foreign country should return back to the UK, several are yet trapped with no means to get home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, however this may take some time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what those people who are stranded in a foreign country must do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is residing will give suggestion and help on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are typically shown 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info 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 quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, 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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional details on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a inexpensive air flight to home cannot be found

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

Those with travel insurance should contact their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should also keep themselves informed on the notice from local travel companies.

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

Employment & benefits / monetary support

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

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

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

If money runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary help in certain circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should ascertain that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could ask family or friends to take care of this person until they return back.

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

If the stranded passenger has pressure regarding their job 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 trapped in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 4 weeks.

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

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while 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 clicking:

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