The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries except if it is absolutely vital Several airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return residents that are currently stranded abroad. Additional 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 employed for stuck nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole expense of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Many airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

In circumstances where the hotel and site are open, 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 taken out. These may offer financial reparation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected regions after a notice was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are urged to check the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain conditions, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the existing situation, issues occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those passengers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to also pay for any further charges for accommodation and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain further assistance. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in relation to a country that the traveller picks to go to, and the traveller selects to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are advised to check policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel 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 by means of an certified booking site, then you must usually receive a refund.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or altered date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers choosing not to show up – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Numerous of the larger movie chains have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as regular. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

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

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to deliver the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special functions could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the service or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is key.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

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’ liable 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 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 the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery companies have declared delays on uneeded goods for transporting medical items and vital products. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the very first contact point.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is valid in different circumstances mentioned below.

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the idea made known to the agent

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

Buyers who think that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their goods and have exceeded the first 30 days after  purchase, might be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in significant difficulty

In case a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be permitted to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return back the items for a repayment (total refund within six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must go with the explanation given by the seller. This comprises:

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

If the customer feels that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A full reimbursement if the items have not been accepted (not used and problem observed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, that can be tough if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules regarding refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the circumstances, and an administration charge might apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned a trip that is no longer required or have booked travel to a annulled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everyone abroad should come back to the UK, many are yet stranded with no way to get back home.

The Government has taken steps such as especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, however this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what those people who are stuck abroad must do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is residing will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically shown when a person is infected by 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 find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out 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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional details on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional information on flying back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People having travel insurance must contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stranded should even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel firms.

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

Employment & benefits / financial support

There is also the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary assistance in some circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign country, The UK Government can also provide monetary help in certain circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for someone back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they should ascertain that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this until they return back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about their condition.

If they are employed, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst stranded abroad

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each payable for thirteen weeks while in a foreign land.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen has been in a foreign land.

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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