The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and areas. This includes two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can 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 essential Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management company will be utilized for stranded residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved independantly

Consumers are advised to call their hotels, asking for a refund/modification in dates. Several airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

In conditions where the hotel and location 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 bought. These may payout financial compensation in conditions where other ways do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected zones after a caution was issued in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are advised to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent events, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen conditions, and due to the existing circumstances, issues arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those travellers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any extra charges for accommodation and any food required. For those customers who have accepted a repayment, then the obligation of care terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to get further help. Detailed embassy locations can be found 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 warning issued in relation to a destination that the consumer chooses to go to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Travellers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you think that your consumer rights have been breached, 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 through an authorised booking site, then you should usually obtain a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are checked. 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 postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a postponed or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons choosing not to attend – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Numerous of the larger film groups have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as regular. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises 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 companies for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but options may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

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

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company providing the service or organising cancels, then a refund should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or person who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is key.

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

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’ responsible 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, buyers can get in touch with their bank and try to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on avoidable items in favour of shipping medical supplies and necessary products. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods must be the initial contact point.

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

Nevertheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering 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 buying merchandise from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the seller

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

Consumers who feel that  any of the above don’t fit for their items and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, may be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without causing significant problem

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

• Keep the goods for a lesser rate
• Return back the products for a reimbursement (complete reimbursement in 6 months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during chats on the phone call or in person

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

• A total refund if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and issue observed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the goods are really worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, which can be hard if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different guidelines regarding reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the circumstances, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A useful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned travel that is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should call the travel provider for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that everybody in a foreign land should return back to the UK, several are yet stuck without any way to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps like specially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, however this may take some time. For the timebeing, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what those people who are stuck in a foreign country must do.

If someone has or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is staying will provide suggestion and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally 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 stays 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 simply click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read 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 more details on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be booked

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

People having travel insurance should get in touch with their provider as 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 could even see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial aid in some situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

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

If the stranded passenger has to take care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ensure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must keep in contact with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

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 stranded in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign land.

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

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

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