The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel abroad, towns and locations. This entails two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is utterly vital Many airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are presently stranded abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision firm will be utilized for stuck residents to book and pay for the flight home.

Further details on travelling abroad and current government suggestions are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to check the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reimbursement in circumstances where other ways do not.

If patrons have organised travel to affected regions after a warning was announced in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are urged to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and due to the existing circumstances, concerns arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those customers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any additional costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have received a refund, then the responsibility of care terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is conceivable, or where patrons feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more support. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a destination that the traveller chooses to travel to, and the consumer selects to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you belive that your customer rights have been waived, 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 by means of an certified booking site, then you should genrally get a refund.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or altered date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

Customers choosing not to attend – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the larger cinema franchises have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For consumers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service restarts as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are recommended 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 terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the businesses for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

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

Weddings and special events could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is essential.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the reason why a repayment is not probable, consisting 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’ accountable when a service or product 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 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 pandemic. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary products for transporting medical supplies and vital products. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the items should be the initial contact point.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various circumstances mentioned below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdescribed
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the idea made known to the agent

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

Purchasers who think that  any of the above do not apply to their goods and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without causing significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be permitted to:

• Keep the merchandise for a lower price
• Return the items for a refund (full repayment in six months or perhaps 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 insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must match the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during discussions on the phone or in person

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

• A full re-payment if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and problem observed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are actually worth

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

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies regarding reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

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

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked a trip which is not needed or have planned travel to a cancelled event should get in touch with the travel service for additional info on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has Informed that everyone abroad should come back to the UK, many are still stranded without any means to get home.

The Government has implemented steps such as especially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this may take time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of suggestions about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land must do.

If someone suffers or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is residing will give suggestion and help on what to do if somebody has, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident must take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally shown when somebody 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 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 coming to an end, the actions mandatory will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, 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 additional information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional details 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 as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential to contact family and friends to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary support

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

If cash is over, or people stranded do not have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has promised to ensuring that British citizens in foreign country have access to housing, medical essentials, water and food.

If cash runs out whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be requested to continue to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They could request friends or family to take care of this person till they come back.

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

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

If they are employed, they should contact their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

If they are employed, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while stranded in a foreign country

The trapped person will still get 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, they are each payable for thirteen weeks while abroad.

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 in a foreign country 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