The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This entails 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, do not travel to foreign land unless it is absolutely indispensible Many airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be employed for marooned nationals to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

More information on travelling abroad and current government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

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

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Consumers are suggested to call their hotels, asking for a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

In circumstances where the hotel and place are open, and the booking is non-refundable, then travellers may miss out.

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reparation in conditions where other ways do not.

If customers have planned travel to infected areas after a caution was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are recommended to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in several conditions, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, problems arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those travellers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any additional costs for housing and any food essential. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of care finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is probable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to seek additional assistance. Specific embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in relation to a country that the customer selects to journey to, and the traveller chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are insisted to verify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement 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 by means of an certified booking site, then you must genrally receive a repayment.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for reimbursements. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers choosing not to be there – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Quiet a few of the greater movie groups have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For consumers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as usual. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, 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 incapable to provide the service due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special events

Marriages and special occasions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever 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 delaying the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should define in detail the cause why a refund is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have incurred 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 to 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 pandemic. A couple of delivery companies have announced delays on uneeded goods for delivering medical supplies and vital items. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the items should be the initial point of contact.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations mentioned below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing merchandise from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the purpose told to the seller

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

Purchasers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their products and have exceeded the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without resulting in considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the items for a lesser rate
• Return back the merchandise for a reimbursement (full repayment within six months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the description given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during chats over the phone or face to face

If the customer believes that the products don’t go with the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A total reimbursement if the products have not been accepted (not used and fault seen instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are really worth

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

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies about refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are giving refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a little due to the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip which is no longer needed or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should call the travel service for additional details on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign land must return to the United Kingdom, several are still trapped without any way to get home.

The Government has adopted measures such as specially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this may take time. In the meanwhile, they have made several suggestions about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and nation in which the client is staying will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically revealed when a person 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 area where the UK citizen finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, check out 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 contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more information on going back home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

Those having travel insurance should contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are trapped should even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel companies.

It is essential to get in touch with friends and family to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stuck to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial support

There is also the option for those stuck to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial assistance in a few circumstances. More information 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 ensuring that British citizens in foreign country have access to accommodation, medical supplies, water and food.

If cash runs out whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer financial help in a few situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to look after this person until they come back.

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

If the stranded passenger has worries regarding their job or self-employment

If they are working, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

If they are working, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still get 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, they are each payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered 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