The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is absolutely indispensible Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel management firm will be employed for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on going abroad and existing government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Customers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reimbursement in circumstances where other ways do not.

If consumers have planned travel to infected zones after a warning was issued in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are advised to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current events, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in several circumstances, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and due to the present circumstances, problems arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those passengers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any additional costs for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care terminates 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 consumers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to obtain more help. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in relation to a destination that the customer chooses to journey to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Customers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a refund due. If you belive that your customer 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 through an official booking site, then you should normally obtain a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory organisation and as such, oblige firms enlisted with them to repay the ticket’s face value amount when an event is cancelled. This does not comprise 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 corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for repayments. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or revised date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Patrons wishing not to be there – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the larger cinema franchises have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service recommences as normal. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and there have been charges paid for hotels and travel, then the businesses for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be proposed to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to provide the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special events

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator 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 buyers 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 to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on uneeded products for transporting medical supplies and necessary products. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the goods must be the first contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various circumstances mentioned below.

However, a complete 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

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

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the seller

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

Consumers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have exceeded the first thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the items for a lower rate
• Return back the products for a repayment (total repayment within six months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the call or in person

If the buyer feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue seen quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules regarding reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are giving refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned travel which is no longer required or have booked travel to a annulled function should call the travel service for more information on their individual terms, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign country should return to the UK, a lot are still stuck with no way to get back home.

The Government has adopted measures like specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, however this may take time. For now, they have made several recommendation regarding what those stranded in a foreign land should do.

If somebody 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 someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally displayed 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 region where the UK citizen finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for more details on transport home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

Those with 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 single effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should even keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is important to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stranded to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary support

There is even the option for those stranded to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary assistance in a few circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide monetary assistance in some situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck abroad, they must make sure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

They may request family or friends to look after this person till they return back.

If no option is available, the home local authority must be contacted for further suggestion and help.

If the stranded passenger has worries about their employment or self-employment

If they are working, they should be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about 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 request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while trapped abroad

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

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

The State Pension will be paid irrespective of how long the citizen stays in a foreign land.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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