The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is totally vital Various airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently stranded abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and current government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, asking for a repayment/adjustment in dates. Many airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other means do not.

If customers have organised travel to infected zones after a notice was announced in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are advised to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain circumstances, have changed cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented conditions, and due to the present situation, concerns surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further charges for accommodation and any food vital. For those consumers who have taken a refund, then the obligation of concern ends here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to get additional assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in regard to a country that the consumer picks to go to, and the traveller picks to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Customers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a refund due. If you belive that your customer rights have been breached, 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 booked by means of an official booking site, then you ought to usually receive a reimbursement.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, compel firms registered with them to repay the ticket’s face value price when an event is cancelled. This does not consist of the charges incurred for delivery.

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the company who firstly 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 postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or changed date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers choosing not to be there – If consumers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the greater film groups have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already bought 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 recommending that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as normal. Others are instructing that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are recommended to watch on the websites and social media apprises 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 all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but choices may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special occasions

Marriages and special events could potentially be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or managing cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the basis why a refund is not possible, including 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, clients can get in touch with their bank and attempt 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 are unaffected during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have declared delays on uneeded items for transporting medical items and necessary products. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the products must be the first contact point.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different situations mentioned below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

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

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

Consumers who believe that  any of the above do not fit for their items and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without resulting in significant problem

If a repair/replacement is not possible then they may instead be allowed to:

• Keep the products for a lesser price
• Return the items for a reimbursement (total reimbursement in 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must go with the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during discussions on the phone or personally

If the buyer feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A complete reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and defect seen instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are worth

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

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines regarding re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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

A valuable 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 that is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled event should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual terms, including refund policies.

Though the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign country should return back to the UK, many are yet stranded with no way to get home.

The Government has taken measures like specially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this may take time. In the meanwhile, they have made several suggestions regarding what those people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is staying will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally 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 info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details 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 a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more details on going back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance should contact their service provider because the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important 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 those people stranded to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / financial assistance

There is also the choice for those stranded to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in a few situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people stuck do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in some circumstances. More info 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 stuck abroad, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may request friends or family 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 tension regarding their job or self-employment

If they are employed, they must contact 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 apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst trapped abroad

The stranded passenger will still get 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 person is payable for thirteen weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any queries or concerns about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country 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