The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. 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, do not travel to foreign countries unless it is totally vital Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision company will be employed for stuck citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – 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

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

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Many airlines are permitting commuters 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 urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial reparation in conditions where other ways do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected regions after a notice was announced in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are advised to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed situations, and due to the present condition, problems occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any additional charges for accommodation and any food required. For those customers who have received a repayment, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the duty of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

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

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in regard to a destination that the traveller selects to journey to, and the customer picks to call off their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Customers are urged to check policy and booking approval 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 violated, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 receive a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the company who firstly 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.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or altered date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is unsuitable, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema closures

Several of the greater film franchises have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already bought tickets, refunds or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly fees will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as normal. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel charges

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs 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 delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

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

Weddings and special events could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is key.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the reason why a refund is not possible, 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 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 delivered.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers can contact their bank and try 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 during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery firms have announced delays on unnecessary goods in favour of transporting medical supplies and essential products. For more details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items must be the initial contact point.

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

Nonetheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, 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 merchandise from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the seller

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the first thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within realistic time frame
• Without leading to significant trouble

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they may instead be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a lower rate
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (full repayment within six months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must go with the description provided by the seller. This incorporates:

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

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

• A total refund if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and issue noted quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are really worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the items don’t match the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules about reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the situation, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A helpful 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 that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a cancelled event should call the travel provider for more details on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that every person abroad must return back to the United Kingdom, many are yet stuck without any way to get home.

The Government has taken measures such as specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, however this may take time. In the meantime, they have made several suggestions about what those people who are trapped in a foreign land must do.

If someone suffers or believes they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is staying will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed when a person 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 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 measures necessary will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, 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 information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

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

Those with travel insurance must get in touch with their service provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped must even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel companies.

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

Employment & perks / financial assistance

There is also the option for those stranded to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary assistance in some circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or people stranded don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary help in some circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they must ensure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

They may request family or friends to look after this person till they return 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 job or self-employment

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

If they are working, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while stranded in a foreign land

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

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

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or checking out:

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