The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel abroad, towns and regions. This entails two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is totally essential Many airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are currently stuck abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be utilized for marooned citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Further details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening automatically for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Consumers are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial compensation in situations where other ways do not.

If customers have arranged travel to infected regions after a caution was announced in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are urged to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several circumstances, have changed cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen situations, and due to the present condition, concerns occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any additional expenses for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to seek further assistance. Individual embassy locations can be found 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 caution released in relation to a country that the customer selects to travel to, and the customer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Customers are insisted to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a reimbursement 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 booked by means of an official booking site, then you must genrally receive a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory association and as such, compel firms registered 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 advised that for any other ticket merchant, the particular company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company 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.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or altered date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be requested via the original booking company.

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

Certain events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers deciding not to show up – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Quiet a few of the big movie franchises have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will continue, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service recommences as usual. Others are recommending 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.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

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

Specific terms and conditions may alter, 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 incompetent to deliver the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings 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 managing cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is essential.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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 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 enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on non-essential items in favour of transporting medical items and necessary items. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods must be the very first point of contact.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances mentioned below.

Nonetheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including 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

While ordering items from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the trader

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

Purchasers who feel that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their products and have passed the initial 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without causing significant trouble

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

• Keep the items for a reduced price
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (full repayment in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must suit the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

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

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

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

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the products don’t match the sellers description, that might be difficult if the description was given orally.

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

Scotrail are giving refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a little due to the situation, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A useful 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 that is no longer essential or have booked travel to a annulled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for more information on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that everybody abroad must return to the UK, a lot are still trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this might take some time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what people who are trapped abroad must do.

If someone has or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the client is staying will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically shown when a person is suffering from 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 contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions necessary 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 found by visiting:

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 closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for additional info on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People having travel insurance must get in touch with their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. People who can’t afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

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

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the option for those stranded to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial assistance in certain situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stranded do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary aid in certain situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to look after this person until they return.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on 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 trapped in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad 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 thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or clicking:

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