The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This comprises two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is absolutely indispensible Several airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently stranded abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be utilized for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on going abroad and existing government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Whole amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Consumers are advised to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial reparation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If patrons have organised travel to affected regions after a notice was issued in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are advised to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the existing condition, problems occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further costs for accommodation and any food vital. For those patrons who have taken a reimbursement, then the obligation of worry ends here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where patrons feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain additional help. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

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

Travellers are insisted to verify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is necessary or a refund due. If you think that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 via an official booking site, then you should genrally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request repayments. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a postponed or altered date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a repayment can be requested via the original booking company.

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

Certain events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons choosing not to be there – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the larger cinema chains have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been charges paid for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but options may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

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

Marriages and special events could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not conceivable, including any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for purchases made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable when a product or service 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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on avoidable products in favour of transporting medical supplies and essential items. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items should be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different situations mentioned below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering 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 purchasing goods from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdepited
• 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 buyer enters the wait period with the remainder of the 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair or replacement.

Consumers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their goods and have passed the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

In case a replacement or repair is not possible then they may instead be allowed to:

• Keep the products for a reduced rate
• Return the goods for a refund (total refund within 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during discussions over the phone call or face to face

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

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and defect seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the items do not go with the sellers description, that can be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different rules regarding re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little due to the situation, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending upon 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 travel which is not needed or have booked travel to a cancelled event should contact the travel service for more info on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everybody abroad must return back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stuck without any means to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps like especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this may take time. For the moment, they have made numerous suggestions about what those people who are stuck in a foreign land need to do.

If someone has or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally shown when somebody is suffering from 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by checking out:

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 find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

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

Those people having travel insurance should get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who can’t afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel firms.

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

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is even the choice for those stuck 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 provide financial assistance in a few situations. Additional information can be read 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 in foreign country have access to housing, medical supplies, food and water.

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial assistance in a few situations. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to look after this person till they fly back.

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

If the trapped passenger has tension regarding their job or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they should keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

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

Perks or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign country

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid regardless of how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any questions or doubts 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