The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is totally indispensible Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to lower the increase of the virus.

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

More info on going abroad and existing government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Many airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in conditions where other ways do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected areas after a notice was issued in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are urged to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and owing to the existing condition, issues arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those passengers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must also pay for any extra expenses for housing and any food vital. For those consumers who have accepted a repayment, then the duty of worry terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to obtain further help. Detailed 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 warning released in relation to a country that the customer picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you feel 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 reserved by means of an authorised booking site, then you must genrally get a refund.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request refunds. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a rescheduled or changed 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 repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

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

Customers choosing not to show up – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater cinema franchises have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as usual. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but options may be proposed to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

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

Weddings and special events could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the service or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is vital.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not conceivable, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable 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, consumers can contact their bank and try and 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 remain unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery companies have proclaimed delays on uneeded goods in favour of shipping medical supplies and vital items. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items must be the first contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in different situations listed below.

However, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing items from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the traderdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the trader

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their products and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical timescale
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the goods for a lesser price
• Return the merchandise for a repayment (full refund in six months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the buyer believes that the items don’t match the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A total re-payment if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and fault observed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel services have different guidelines about re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the circumstances, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked a trip that is no longer needed or have booked travel to a cancelled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the UK, many are yet trapped with no way to get home.

The Government has implemented measures such as specially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this might take time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what people who are stuck in a foreign land must do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is residing will provide advice and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are generally displayed when someone 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend upon the area 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 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 more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If an affordable flight to home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more details on transport home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance should get in touch with their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stuck should also keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel firms.

It is vital 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 people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the choice for those trapped to contact their boss and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in some circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or people stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer monetary aid in certain situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they must ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to take care of this person till they return.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should contact their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are employed, 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.

Benefits or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign country

The trapped passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign country.

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

Any questions or concerns regarding 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