The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign land, towns and locations. This comprises two important travel advisory 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 accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is totally indispensible Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be used for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but patrons can contact the company that they made reservations through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Customers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers 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 planned travel to infected areas after a notice was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current events, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the existing situation, issues occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those passengers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further costs for stay and any food required. For those patrons who have received a reimbursement, then the duty of care finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is probable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain more assistance. Specific embassy locations can be acquired 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 released in relation to a destination that the customer chooses to go to, and the customer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to repayment.

Customers are advised to verify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 through an certified booking site, then you ought to normally obtain a repayment.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket merchant, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request repayments. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or revised date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be requested through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

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

Cinema closures

Numerous of the big film chains have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the choice 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 fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the companies for all of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but choices may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present conditions.

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

Weddings and special occasions could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ responsible 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 enforced by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have announced delays on uneeded goods for delivering medical supplies and essential goods. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the products must be the initial point of contact.

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

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering goods from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

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

If asking for repair or replacement in the first 30 days, then the purchaser enters the wait period with the remaining thirty days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair/replacement.

Buyers who believe that  any of the above do not apply to their goods and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  ordering, may be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without causing significant difficulty

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats on the phone or personally

If the customer believes that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue observed immediately)
• Loss – 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 customer to confirmverify that the goods don’t match the sellers description, that can be tough if the description was given in words.

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

Scotrail are providing refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A useful 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 a trip that is not needed or have planned travel to a cancelled event should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual terms, including refund policies.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign land should return back to the UK, many are still stuck with no way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this might take time. In the meanwhile, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those people who are stuck in a foreign land must do.

If someone suffers or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is residing will give advice and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally shown when someone is infected by 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 more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, 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 additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must 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 home.

Those with travel insurance must 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 could also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stuck must even keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is vital to contact family and friends to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is even the choice for those stranded to contact their employer and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial help in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those trapped don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can even provide financial help in some situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they should ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they must keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about their condition.

If they are working, 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.

Perks or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign land

The stranded person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to one 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 abroad.

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

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst abroad 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