The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This includes two main 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 open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land unless it is totally essential Many airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will return residents that are presently marooned abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be employed for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

More details on going abroad and existing government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due 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 cost of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Customers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a repayment/modification in dates. Many airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

In circumstances where the hotel and place are open, and the booking is non-refundable, then travellers may lose out.

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reparation in situations where other ways do not.

If customers have arranged travel to infected regions after a notice was announced in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are recommended to verify 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 affairs, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen conditions, and due to the existing condition, problems occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those travellers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any further expenses for stay and any food required. For those customers who have taken a refund, then the obligation of care ends here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

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

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in regard to a destination that the customer picks to go to, and the customer chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Consumers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel that your customer rights have been violated, 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 via an certified booking site, then you must genrally obtain a reimbursement.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, oblige firms enlisted with them to repay the ticket’s face value cost when an event is cancelled. This does not include the costs 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 formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a refund can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons deciding not to show up – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Quiet a few of the greater cinema groups have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been costs incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific 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 service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special events

Weddings and special functions could potentially be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company offering the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is key.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not conceivable, consisting any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be provided.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers can get in touch with their bank and try to 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 pandemic. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on avoidable products for delivering medical items and necessary products. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the first contact point.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations below.

Nevertheless, a more inclusive 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 buying merchandise from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerexplained
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the idea explained to the seller

When asking for repair or replacement in the first 30 days, then the consumer 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 do not apply to their items and have exceeded the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without causing significant trouble

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

• Keep the goods for a lower rate
• Return back the products for a refund (full refund within six months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is ordered from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats over the call or face to face

If the purchaser feels that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A full reimbursement if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and fault seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, that might be hard if the description was given verbally.

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

Scotrail are offering refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a little due to the circumstances, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

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

Though the Government has recommended that everyone abroad should come back to the United Kingdom, several are still trapped with no way to get back home.

The Government has taken measures like especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of suggestions regarding what those trapped abroad should do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the client is staying will provide suggestion and help on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are typically revealed when a person 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 contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend upon the region 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional info on going back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance must contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is even the option for those stranded to get in touch with their manager and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary assistance in certain situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or people trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can also provide financial assistance in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for a relative back in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they should ascertain that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. 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 ask friends or family to take care of this person until they fly 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 about their employment or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they must keep in contact with their manager wherever possible to keep them updated about their situation.

If they are working, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign country

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to a 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 in a foreign country.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding 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 visiting:

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