The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel abroad, towns and areas. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries except if it is totally indispensible Many airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return nationals that are currently stranded abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be employed for stuck citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further info on travelling abroad and present government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but patrons can contact the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Many airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial compensation in conditions where other ways do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to infected regions after a caution was announced in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are urged to check the particulars 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, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the current situation, problems surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to also pay for any extra costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have received a repayment, then the obligation of care ends here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is conceivable, or where patrons feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain additional help. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a country that the consumer picks to travel to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Travellers are advised to verify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is required or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 reserved by means of an certified booking site, then you ought to normally get a refund.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case 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 held until a rescheduled or revised date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is not fitting, then a repayment can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema closures

Numerous of the larger film franchises have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already gotten tickets, repayments 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 advising that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts 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.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been costs paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator 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 consumers for purchases 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 provided.

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 imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery companies have declared delays on uneeded goods in favour of delivering medical items and necessary items. For extra details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products must be the first contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that applies in different situations below.

However, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing items from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the sellerexplained
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the idea told to the dealer

If asking for replacement or repair within first thirty 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  any of the above do not apply to their goods and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without leading to significant problem

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they may rather be entitled to:

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return the items for a reimbursement (full reimbursement in six months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must suit the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during conversations on the phone call or personally

If the buyer believes that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue observed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the items don’t go with the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines about re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration fee may apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked a trip which is not essential or have booked travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for more info on their individual terms and conditions, including refund policies.

Although the Government has Informed that everybody abroad must return back to the United Kingdom, a lot are still trapped with no means to come back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as specially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this may take some time. For the moment, they have made several recommendation regarding what those people who are trapped abroad should do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally shown when somebody has coronavirus. This is available 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

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

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

In addition, 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 otherwise visit:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional information on going back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip home.

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

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

It is important to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those stuck to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is even the option for those stuck to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial assistance in certain circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

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

If the trapped passenger has to care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they return back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to take care of this person until they come back.

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

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

If they are employed, they must be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about 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 apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst stranded in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to a 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 country.

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

Any questions or concerns regarding 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 checking out:

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