The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, cities and regions. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is utterly indispensible Several airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals 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 dedicated travel management firm will be used for stuck residents to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

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

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Customers are suggested to call their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Many 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 lose out.

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are recommended to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reimbursement in conditions where other means do not.

If consumers have organised travel to affected zones after a notice was announced in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are recommended to ensure 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 present events, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the present condition, problems surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those travellers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any additional costs for housing and any food essential. For those patrons who have accepted a refund, then the responsibility of concern finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is probable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get more assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in relation to a country that the consumer chooses to journey to, and the traveller picks to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is wanted or a refund due. If you belive that your consumer 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 booked through an official booking site, then you ought to usually get a repayment.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory association and as such, compel firms enlisted with them to repay the ticket’s face value cost when an event is cancelled. This does not include the costs paid for delivery.

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the company who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for refunds. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or revised date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be requested through the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers choosing not to attend – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Quiet a few of the larger movie groups have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as normal. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons are advised to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been expenditures incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special events

Marriages and special events could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual 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 delaying the event is essential.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not possible, consisting 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 consumers for orders 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 attempt 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 remain the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on avoidable products in favour of delivering medical items and vital products. For extra information on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods must be the initial contact point.

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

However, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderexplained
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the agent

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

Purchasers who believe that  any of the above don’t apply to their products and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing significant problem

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

• Keep the items for a reduced rate
• Return the products for a refund (full refund within 6 months or partial reimbursement 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 declares the goods must suit the explanation provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during chats over the phone or personally

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

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and issue seen immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the products do not match the sellers description, which could be difficult if the description was given orally.

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

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel that is not required or have booked travel to a annulled function should call the travel provider for additional information on their individual conditions, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign land should come back to the UK, many are yet trapped without any way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps such as specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, however this might take time. In the meantime, they have made numerous recommendation about what people who are trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and assistance on what to do if somebody has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident must seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically displayed when somebody has 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, 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 actions necessary will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by checking out:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight to home cannot be booked

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

Those people having travel insurance must contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the choice for those stranded to contact their manager and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial help in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those trapped don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has promised to guaranteeing that British citizens abroad have access to housing, medical essentials, water and food.

If money is over whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well offer monetary aid in a few situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should make sure that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to continue to do this until they come back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to take care of this person till they return back.

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

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

If they are working, they must keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are employed, 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 whilst trapped in a foreign land

The stranded person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 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 despite how long the citizen stays in a foreign country.

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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