The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, cities and areas. This entails two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is absolutely essential Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return nationals that are presently marooned abroad. Further information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision company will be employed for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their region – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/adjustment in dates. Many airlines are permitting commuters 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

Patrons are recommended to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If patrons have organised travel to affected areas 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 verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed conditions, and due to the existing situation, concerns surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those passengers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any extra costs for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of care terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current locality to get additional assistance. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in regard to a destination that the consumer picks to travel to, and the customer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are urged to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a repayment due. If you think 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 booked via an certified booking site, then you must usually obtain a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the specific 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 ask for reimbursements. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

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

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

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

Patrons wishing not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much possibility 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 communication. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will continue, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service recommences as usual. Others are instructing that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been charges suffered for hotels and travel, then the businesses for every one of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the service due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Marriages and special occasions could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is vital.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have experienced 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’ accountable when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers can get in touch with 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 are unchanged during the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary items in favour of transporting medical supplies and essential products. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items must be the first point of contact.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances listed below.

, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is accessible by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

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

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the traderdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the idea told to the dealer

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

Consumers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their products and have gone beyond the initial thirty days after  ordering, can be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without resulting in considerable trouble

If a repair or replacement is not possible then they may instead be permitted to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return back the merchandise for a reimbursement (complete repayment within 6 months or perhaps partial repayment 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 claims the products must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the buyer thinks that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A full re-payment if the products have not been accepted (not used and fault seen immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the goods do not match the sellers description, that might be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the situation, and an administration charge may apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are offered 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 planned travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel provider for additional information on their individual conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has recommended that every person in a foreign land should return back to the United Kingdom, several are yet stuck with no means to come back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this might take some time. In the meanwhile, they have made several recommendation about what people who are trapped abroad must do.

If somebody has or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the client is staying will provide advice and help on what to do if someone has, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally shown when someone is suffering from coronavirus. This is available 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions mandatory will depend upon the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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 more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more info on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those people with travel insurance must get in touch with their provider because the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel could also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are trapped should also keep themselves updated on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is also the choice for those stranded to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in a few situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or people trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide financial aid in some situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person until they come back.

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

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

If they are working, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

If they are doing a job, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while stuck abroad

The stranded person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments while in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or visiting:

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