The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and areas. This includes two key travel recommended 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 open 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is utterly indispensible Many airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will return residents that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management firm will be employed for stuck citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further details on going abroad and present government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Due a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Consumers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Many airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to check the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial compensation in situations where other measures do not.

If consumers have planned travel to infected regions after a notice was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are urged to verify the specifics 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 happenings, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented situations, and due to the present circumstances, concerns occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those travellers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any further expenses for housing and any food essential. For those patrons who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of worry finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek further assistance. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in relation to a destination that the customer selects to go to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Customers are insisted to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a refund due. If you belive 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 booked through an official booking site, then you should usually get a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory organisation 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 advised that for any other ticket retailer, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request 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 kept until a postponed or revised date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Consumers deciding not to be there – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big film groups have declared that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for every one of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Seperate terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to provide the amenity due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special events

Marriages and special occasions could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a refund should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or person who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is vital.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not possible, including any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the consumer.

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’ responsible when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be provided.

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 unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on uneeded items in favour of shipping medical items and essential products. For extra information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the items should be the very first contact point.

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

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available 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 seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the idea told to the agent

When requesting for repair/replacement within first 30 days, then the shopper enters the wait period with the remaining 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair/replacement.

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have exceeded the first 30 days after  purchase, might be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in significant trouble

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

• Keep the products for a lower price
• Return back the items for a refund (complete refund in 6 months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must go with the description provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats over the call or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they may be entitled to;

• A complete re-payment if the items have not been accepted (not used and issue noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, which could be difficult if the description was given verbally.

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

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

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned travel that is not essential or have booked travel to a annulled function should contact the travel provider for additional information on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everyone in a foreign land must come back to the UK, many are still stuck without any way to get home.

The Government has taken measures such as especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this may take some time. For the moment, they have made a lot of suggestions about what people who are trapped abroad should do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally shown when a person is infected by coronavirus. This is available 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 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 expiring, the measures mandatory will depend upon the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional details on flying back home. They might 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 effort to go back home. Those who can’t afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are stranded must also keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is important to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the option for those stranded to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer financial assistance in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this till they return back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to look after this person till they come back.

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

If the trapped passenger has pressure regarding their job or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they should contact their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

If they are employed, 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 while stranded abroad

The stranded person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for thirteen weeks whilst abroad.

The State Pension will be paid regardless of how long the citizen stays abroad.

Any questions or doubts regarding benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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