The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign land, towns and regions. This includes two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries unless it is totally vital Several airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will return residents that are presently stranded 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 employed for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further details on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Owed a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel booked separately

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/change in dates. Several airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial reparation in circumstances where other ways do not.

If customers have organised travel to infected areas after a warning was announced in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are recommended to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in several situations, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed conditions, and owing to the current situation, problems surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those passengers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional charges for stay and any food vital. For those patrons who have received a reimbursement, then the obligation of worry finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

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

Consumers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in relation to a country that the customer picks to travel to, and the consumer chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to verify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you think that your customer rights have been breached, 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 reserved through an certified booking site, then you ought to normally receive a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, require firms listed with them to reimburse the ticket’s face value price when an event is cancelled. This does not consist of the fee 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 corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request reimbursements. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a postponed or changed date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be bidden via the original booking company.

As with cancelled events, this may not comprise the fee paid 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 going ahead, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the big cinema chains have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the businesses for every one of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to current conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that 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 consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a refund is not conceivable, consisting 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 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, buyers 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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain the same throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on uneeded products in favour of transporting medical items and essential products. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the goods should be the initial contact point.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different situations listed below.

However, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering merchandise from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the agentdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the idea explained to the agent

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.

Buyers who feel that  any of the above don’t apply to their goods and have gone beyond the initial thirty days after  ordering, can be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without leading to considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser price
• Return back the products for a refund (total refund in six months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must match the description provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats on the phone or face to face

If the customer feels that the goods don’t match the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the items have not been accepted (not used and problem noted quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are actually worth

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

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is no longer essential or have booked travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel provider for additional details on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Although the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign land must return back to the UK, a lot are still trapped without any means to get back home.

The Government has taken steps like especially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, however this might take time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation about what people who are trapped abroad need to do.

If someone has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is staying will give advice and help on what to do if somebody has, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed when someone is infected by coronavirus. This is available 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 contact the local authorities. For more information 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 a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional information on flying back home. They may 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 could even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded must even keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is even the option for those stranded to contact their manager and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial aid in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

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

The UK Government has promised to ensuring that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical supplies, food and water.

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer monetary assistance in some circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to take care for someone back in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should ensure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may request family or friends to take care of this person until they fly back.

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

If the stranded passenger has pressure about their job or self-employment

If they are working, they must be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

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.

Benefits or state pension while stuck abroad

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each payable for 13 weeks while abroad.

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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