The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This includes two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries except if it is totally vital Many airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are currently marooned abroad. More 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 used for stuck citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

More info on travelling abroad and current government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a repayment/modification in dates. Many airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

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

If customers have organised travel to infected areas after a caution was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are urged to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain situations, have modified 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 owing to the present circumstances, concerns arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any further expenses for stay and any food required. For those consumers who have received a reimbursement, then the obligation of care ends here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is probable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain further support. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in relation to a country that the traveller picks to go to, and the customer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are advised to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification 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 advice.

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 via an authorised booking site, then you must genrally receive a repayment.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request refunds. 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 rearranged or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a repayment can be requested via the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema cessations

Several of the greater movie chains have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased 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 continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as usual. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus outbreak and there have been costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but options 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 incompetent to provide the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Weddings and special functions could potentially be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should define in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, including 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 consumers for purchases 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, consumers can get in touch with 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 the same during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery companies have declared delays on non-essential items for delivering medical supplies and necessary goods. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the goods should be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is valid in various situations listed below.

Nevertheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentmentioned
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the purpose explained to the seller

When asking for repair/replacement in the first 30 days, then the shopper 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 do not fit for their products and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

If a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they may instead be allowed to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must match the explanation given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the call or face to face

If the purchaser thinks that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

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

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

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

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

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

Although the Government has advised that every person abroad must return to the UK, a lot are still stuck with no way to get back home.

The Government has taken steps such as specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take some time. For now, they have made several recommendation about what people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If somebody suffers or believes they are infected by coronavirus

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

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically displayed when someone 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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 location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, 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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more info on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those people with travel insurance should get in touch with their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who can’t afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded should also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact friends and family to make sure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their employer and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people stranded don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash runs out whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can even offer monetary assistance in some situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to take care for a family member back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they must contact their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

If they are employed, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while stranded in a foreign country

The stranded passenger will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each payable for thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country 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