The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and regions. This comprises two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently marooned abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision firm will be used for stuck nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

Further info on travelling abroad and present government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Customers are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial compensation in situations where other means do not.

If patrons have organised travel to infected regions after a notice was announced in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are advised to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and owing to the existing condition, concerns surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any additional costs for housing and any food vital. For those patrons who have received a reimbursement, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to get more support. Individual 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 notice published in relation to a country that the traveller chooses to travel to, and the consumer selects to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Customers are urged 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 breached, 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 reserved through an official booking site, then you ought to usually get a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for repayments. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

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

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

Certain events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

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

Cinema closings

Several of the larger cinema groups have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to provide the amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special functions

Marriages and special occasions could possibly be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is key.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the reason why a refund is not conceivable, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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, clients 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 scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have announced delays on unnecessary goods in favour of delivering medical supplies and vital goods. For additional information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the goods should be the very first contact point.

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

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea told to the agent

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

Buyers who feel that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their products and have passed the initial 30 days after  purchase, may be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical time frame
• Without leading to significant inconvenience

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lower rate
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (total reimbursement in 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during conversations over the call or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the goods don’t go with the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the items have not been accepted (not used and issue seen quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the items do not match the sellers description, that could be tough if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are providing refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable 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 which is not essential or have planned travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel service for additional info on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everyone in a foreign land must return back to the United Kingdom, many are still stuck without any means to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps like specially chartered planes to help get citizens home, but this may take time. For now, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what people who are stuck abroad need to do.

If someone suffers or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and nation in which the client is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident must take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically revealed when somebody has 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively 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 area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at 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

Additionally, 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 closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional info 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 cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who can’t afford travel may also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

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

If cash is over, or those trapped don’t have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

They could request family or friends to take care of this person until they fly back.

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

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

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

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

Perks or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign country

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad 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 while in a foreign land.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments while in a foreign land 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