Refund denied on a course fee, cancellation due to covid.

koolkat66

I have enrolled on a residential craft course due to start weekend. The course  is run by a craft association,  using a local college as a venue for the residential part. I paid the fee in full when requested.
Yesterday I tested positive to covid  and I informed the association that I may have to cancel if I was still positive by the Friday. I am supposed to travel on the Saturday, day 1 of the course.

I was told that as per gov guidelines I would not be allowed to attend because it is a requirement to have two consecutive negative tests after 5 days from day 1 which would have taken me to Sunday.

I was also told that they do not think they can refund me the fee as the college may not be able to refund their own fee for the accommodation.

I am asymptomatic and as per new guidelines I believe that I am allowed to go.  It does not mean that I would, and I understand the concern, however I find unfair that I am not refunded the fee when the decision of attending has been removed from me.

Also, I believe that there is no financial loss on their part as  the enrolment was already closed when I booked and they did an exception for me, therefore the room or space on the course was not going to be given to anyone else . I have no way of contacting the college directly to discuss they policy and all I was given is an email saying sorry but probably not a refund. Lastly, in the booking form there was no cancellation policy, nothing was stated one way or another.

What are my rights about getting the fee back?

silvercar

I was told that as per gov guidelines I would not be allowed to attend because it is a requirement to have two consecutive negative tests after 5 days from day 1 which would have taken me to Sunday.

Not in England. England Guidance (not law) says that you should (but don't have to) isolate for 5 days and stay away from vulnerable people for 10 days. There is no longer any mention of testing at all.

If you are not feeling ill, it may be worth calling their bluff and say that without a refund you will attend. It may focus their minds on refunding you a bit clearer.

katejo

silvercar said:

I was told that as per gov guidelines I would not be allowed to attend because it is a requirement to have two consecutive negative tests after 5 days from day 1 which would have taken me to Sunday.

Not in England. England Guidance (not law) says that you should (but don't have to) isolate for 5 days and stay away from vulnerable people for 10 days. There is no longer any mention of testing at all.

If you are not feeling ill, it may be worth calling their bluff and say that without a refund you will attend. It may focus their minds on refunding you a bit clearer.

I would be very tempted to simply tell them on Friday that you were now ok, particularly as you have no symptoms.

koolkat66

katejo said:

silvercar said:

I was told that as per gov guidelines I would not be allowed to attend because it is a requirement to have two consecutive negative tests after 5 days from day 1 which would have taken me to Sunday.

Not in England. England Guidance (not law) says that you should (but don't have to) isolate for 5 days and stay away from vulnerable people for 10 days. There is no longer any mention of testing at all.

If you are not feeling ill, it may be worth calling their bluff and say that without a refund you will attend. It may focus their minds on refunding you a bit clearer.

I would be very tempted to simply tell them on Friday that you were now ok, particularly as you have no symptoms.

HI,

They have already told me I am not allowed to go citying gov.uk guidelins which require two consecutive tests on day 5 and 6, which would be taking me to the end of Sunday, essentially the main  course day

So the choice has been removed from me.

 

[Deleted User]

They must be looking at outdated guidelines as it states on the gov website "The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed. The legal requirement to self-isolate ends. Until 1 April, we still advise people who test positive to stay at home."

koolkat66

Deleted_User said:

They must be looking at outdated guidelines as it states on the gov website "The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed. The legal requirement to self-isolate ends. Until 1 April, we still advise people who test positive to stay at home."

I agree. So I am allowed to attend, and if they prevent me from doing so they will have to refund me in full, I imagine.

koolkat66

koolkat66 said:

Deleted_User said:

They must be looking at outdated guidelines as it states on the gov website "The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed. The legal requirement to self-isolate ends. Until 1 April, we still advise people who test positive to stay at home."

I agree. So I am allowed to attend, and if they prevent me from doing so they will have to refund me in full, I imagine.

Deleted_User, do you have a link to that? I could only find the nhs updated guidelines

[Deleted User]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-plan-for-living-with-covid

NoodleDoodleMan

koolkat66 said:

Deleted_User said:

They must be looking at outdated guidelines as it states on the gov website "The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed. The legal requirement to self-isolate ends. Until 1 April, we still advise people who test positive to stay at home."

I agree. So I am allowed to attend, and if they prevent me from doing so they will have to refund me in full, I imagine.

If you do attend and (God Forbid) there is an outbreak of Covid thereafter which focuses on you, be prepared to be as popular as Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.

koolkat66

NoodleDoodleMan said:

koolkat66 said:

Deleted_User said:

They must be looking at outdated guidelines as it states on the gov website "The remaining domestic restrictions in England will be removed. The legal requirement to self-isolate ends. Until 1 April, we still advise people who test positive to stay at home."

I agree. So I am allowed to attend, and if they prevent me from doing so they will have to refund me in full, I imagine.

If you do attend and (God Forbid) there is an outbreak of Covid thereafter which focuses on you, be prepared to be as popular as Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.

Of course. I am asking for a refund though. That is fair.

NoodleDoodleMan

Yes, agreed - but what if it doesn't materialise ?