The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, towns and locations. This includes two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently stuck abroad. More information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel management company will be used for marooned nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

Further details on going abroad and current government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Customers are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are recommended to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reparation in circumstances where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected zones after a notice was issued in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are urged to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen conditions, and due to the present situation, problems surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those travellers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any additional expenses for stay and any food vital. For those consumers who have taken a reimbursement, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain additional help. Specific embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in relation to a country that the customer chooses to journey to, and the consumer chooses to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Travellers are insisted to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been breached, 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 reserved through an official booking site, then you ought to usually receive a repayment.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is not fitting, then a refund can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons deciding not to show up – If customers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the big cinema groups have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as regular. Others are instructing that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel charges

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

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special occasions

Weddings and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or organising cancels, then a refund should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be claimed 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 planner around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not probable, consisting any costs they have incurred 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’ liable when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers 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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary products in favour of shipping medical items and necessary items. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the first contact point.

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

But, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is accessible by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing products from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the trader

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

Customers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their items and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

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

If a replacement or repair isn’t possible then they might instead be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return back the items for a reimbursement (complete refund within six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the call or personally

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

• A total reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and defect noticed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the goods do not match the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the situation, and an administration fee may apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned a trip which is no longer required or have booked travel to a annulled function should get in touch with the travel service for more info on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has recommended that everybody abroad must return to the UK, a lot are still stuck without any way to get home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, but this may take time. For the moment, they have made several suggestions regarding what those people who are trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If somebody has or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is staying will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary 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 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 information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for more info on going back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance must get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel could also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is essential to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they know that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to people trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even the option for those stranded to contact their employer and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in some situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be requested to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to look after this person till they fly back.

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

If the trapped passenger has tension regarding their employment or self-employment

If they are employed, they must be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them updated about their situation.

If they are employed, they can however 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 while stranded in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for around 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 while in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments whilst 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