The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This entails two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is totally indispensible Several airlines are now announcing cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

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

More information on going abroad and current government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, asking for a compensation/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may offer financial compensation in conditions where other means do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected regions after a warning was issued in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are recommended to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the existing circumstances, problems surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those customers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any additional charges for stay and any food vital. For those patrons who have taken a refund, then the responsibility of worry ends here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is probable, or where customers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain more support. Specific embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

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

Consumers are advised to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a refund due. If you belive that your customer rights have been waived, 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 certified booking site, then you must normally obtain a repayment.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are referred. 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 option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

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

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

Specific events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers wishing not to be there – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the big film groups have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service restarts as regular. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are advised 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 outbreak and there have been charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the businesses for all of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

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

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

Weddings and special occasions could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or organising cancels, then a repayment should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should define in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have incurred 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 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 get in touch with 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 remain unaffected during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery firms have announced delays on avoidable goods in favour of transporting medical supplies and necessary products. For more info on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods should be the first contact point.

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

Nevertheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the agent

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their goods and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without leading to significant inconvenience

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats over the phone call or in person

If the customer thinks that the items do not go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A complete refund if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noticed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the items do not go with the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies regarding re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned travel that is not necessary or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should contact the travel provider for more info on their individual conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has Informed that everybody in a foreign land should come back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stranded without any way to get back home.

The Government has taken steps like especially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, however this might take time. For now, they have made a lot of recommendation about what people who are trapped in a foreign country must do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the buyer is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident should take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are normally displayed when somebody has coronavirus. This is available 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 resides can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate 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 simply visit:

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

If a reasonably priced flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional info on going back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

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

UK citizens who find themselves stranded should even keep themselves updated on the messages from local travel companies.

It is vital to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is even the choice for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial aid in some circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people trapped don’t have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can as well provide financial help in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

If no other choice is available, the home local authority should be contacted for further suggestion and help.

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

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

If they are working, 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 stuck abroad

The stranded person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around 4 weeks.

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 irrespective of how long the citizen stays in a foreign land.

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst 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 checking out:

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