The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This comprises two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are presently stuck abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision firm will be used for stuck nationals to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on going abroad and current government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but patrons can contact the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved independantly

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, asking for a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

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

If consumers have arranged travel to infected areas after a caution was announced in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Consumers are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company promptly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and owing to the current condition, concerns arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those customers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any extra charges for stay and any food vital. For those customers who have accepted a repayment, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to seek additional support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in relation to a country that the consumer selects to go to, and the consumer chooses to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are insisted to check policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 booked through an official booking site, then you should genrally get a refund.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, 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 refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons wishing not to attend – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the greater cinema chains have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service resumes as normal. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons are recommended to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

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

Seperate terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be offered to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

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

Weddings and special functions could possibly be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not possible, including any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the customer.

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’ 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, clients can contact their bank and try and make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have declared delays on avoidable products in favour of shipping medical supplies and necessary goods. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the products must be the first point of contact.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different situations listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing products from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the sellertold
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the agent

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

Consumers who think that  any of the above don’t apply to their items and have passed the initial 30 days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

If a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they might rather be allowed to:

• Keep the items for a lower rate
• Return back the goods for a refund (full repayment in 6 months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the call or in person

If the purchaser believes that the items do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A total re-payment if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noticed instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are actually worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was given orally.

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

Scotrail are giving refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked a trip which is not required or have planned travel to a cancelled function should call the travel service for additional information on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign land must come back to the United Kingdom, several are still stuck with no way to get home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, but this might take time. For the moment, they have made numerous suggestions about what people who are trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If someone has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is residing will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody has, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally displayed 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located 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 additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If an affordable flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more details on going back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those people having travel insurance should 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. People who cannot afford travel could even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to people stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is even the choice for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary help in some situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money runs out whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial aid in certain situations. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they come back to the UK.

They may request 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 advice and support.

If the stranded passenger has tension regarding their employment or self-employment

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed 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 while trapped abroad

The stranded person will still get 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 thirteen weeks while in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or doubts regarding benefit payments whilst abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or checking out:

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