The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries unless it is absolutely essential Various airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are presently marooned 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 administration company will be used for marooned 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 fly to their destination – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/modification in dates. Many airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reparation in conditions where other measures do not.

If consumers have organised travel to affected areas after a notice was announced in the zone, 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 doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the present condition, issues occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those travellers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any additional costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of worry terminates here. It is then the duty of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to get further assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in relation to a destination that the traveller picks to journey to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Travellers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 booked through an official booking site, then you should normally get a refund.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or changed date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a repayment can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons wishing not to show up – If customers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the big movie chains have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service restarts as regular. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been costs incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special functions

Marriages and special occasions could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the reason why a repayment is not probable, consisting 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 clients for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ accountable 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 get in touch with 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 unaffected during the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on avoidable goods in favour of shipping medical items and necessary items. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the very first contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances listed below.

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing goods from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea told to the seller

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their products and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without leading to significant inconvenience

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they might rather be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a lesser price
• Return back the items for a refund (complete refund within six months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must match the explanation given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats on the phone call or in person

If the purchaser thinks that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A total refund if the items have not been accepted (not used and fault noted instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the products are worth

The burden of proof is on the client to prove that the goods do not match the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was delivered orally.

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

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

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned travel that is no longer required or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel provider for more information on their individual terms and conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that everyone abroad must return back to the UK, a lot are still stranded with no means to get home.

The Government has adopted steps such as especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this may take time. Meanwhile, they have made a lot of suggestions about what people who are stuck in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically displayed when someone is infected by 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, 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 coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend on the area that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a inexpensive air flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional information on going back home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance must get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to make sure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their employer and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial help in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people stranded do not have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary help in certain situations. More details can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this until they return back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person till they fly back.

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

If the trapped passenger has pressure regarding their job or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they should contact their manager wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are working, 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.

Perks or state pension while stuck in a foreign land

The trapped person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around a month.

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 country.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen stays in a foreign country.

Any queries or concerns regarding 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