The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, cities and areas. This entails two key 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 available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is utterly essential Several airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are presently stranded abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision company will be used for marooned citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional information on travelling abroad and current government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Consumers are recommended to call their hotels, asking for a repayment/modification in dates. Many airlines are permitting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reimbursement in conditions where other means do not.

If consumers have organised travel to affected zones after a notice was issued in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and owing to the present circumstances, concerns occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those customers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any extra expenses for housing and any food essential. For those customers who have taken a refund, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the duty of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stuck, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain further assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired 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 caution released in relation to a destination that the consumer picks to travel to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Customers are urged to verify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you feel that your customer rights have been breached, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and assistance.

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 must genrally get a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for reimbursements. 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 rescheduled or altered date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be requested through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons wishing not to attend – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the greater film chains have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as regular. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers 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 charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for all of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Individual terms and conditions may vary, but options may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special events could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a refund is not conceivable, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable 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, consumers can contact their bank and try and 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 unchanged during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery firms have declared delays on unnecessary goods for shipping medical supplies and necessary goods. For more info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the products must be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying goods from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea made known to the trader

If asking for repair/replacement within first 30 days, then the shopper enters the wait period with the remaining 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair/replacement.

Consumers who think that  any of the above don’t apply to their products and have passed the initial 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without causing considerable trouble

If a replacement or repair isn’t possible then they may instead be entitled to:

• Keep the items for a lesser price
• Return the items for a repayment (complete repayment within 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must suit the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during discussions over the phone call or personally

If the buyer feels that the products don’t go with the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A total reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not go with the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

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

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned a trip that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a cancelled function should call the travel service for more information on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that everybody abroad should come back to the United Kingdom, many are still stuck without any way to get home.

The Government has adopted steps such as especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this may take time. For the timebeing, they have made several suggestions regarding what people who are stuck in a foreign land need to do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is staying will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally displayed when a person has coronavirus. This is available 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found 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 locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If an affordable air flight to home cannot be booked

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

Those people with travel insurance should contact their provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who can’t afford travel could also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the choice for those stuck to contact their employer and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial help in some circumstances. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

The UK Government has promised to guaranteeing that British citizens in foreign country have access to housing, medical supplies, food and water.

If money is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide financial help in certain situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they must make sure that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they return to the UK.

They could request family or friends to look after this person until they return back.

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

If the stranded passenger has pressure about their employment or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they must be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

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 stranded in a foreign country

The trapped passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad 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 whilst in a foreign country.

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

Any queries or concerns 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 clicking:

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