The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, cities and regions. This includes 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 open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are currently marooned abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be utilized for stuck nationals to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further information on going abroad and existing government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire cost of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Various airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial compensation in conditions where other measures do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected areas after a notice was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are urged to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain conditions, have modified 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 unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the current condition, concerns occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those customers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to also pay for any extra costs for stay and any food required. For those consumers who have accepted a refund, then the duty of concern ends here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to get more help. Individual embassy locations can be obtained 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 caution issued in regard to a destination that the traveller chooses to travel to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a refund due. If you think that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 via an official booking site, then you must genrally obtain a refund.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

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

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

Certain events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Consumers choosing not to show up – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the big cinema groups have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For consumers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as regular. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming 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 businesses for all of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but choices may be offered to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special events

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company offering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is essential.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should define in detail the basis why a repayment is not possible, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers 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 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 imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery firms have proclaimed delays on uneeded products in favour of shipping medical items and vital products. For additional information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the goods must be the very first contact point.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that is valid in various circumstances listed below.

However, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering goods from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the purpose explained to the agent

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their goods and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, can be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

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

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during conversations on the phone call or personally

If the customer believes that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A full refund if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue noted instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the items do not go with the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful 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 travel that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a annulled event should call the travel service for additional info on their individual conditions, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has suggested that every person abroad should come back to the United Kingdom, several are yet stranded without any means to get home.

The Government has taken steps such as specially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, but this might take some time. For now, they have made several suggestions regarding what those stranded in a foreign land need to do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally revealed when someone 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 area where the UK citizen stays can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, check out 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional details on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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 additional info on going back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip home.

Those people having travel insurance should contact their 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 even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded should also keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is also the choice for those stranded to get in touch with their boss and ask for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in certain circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

The UK Government has committed to ensuring that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical essentials, food and water.

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

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they should ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be requested 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 fly back.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are employed, 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 stranded person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to one month.

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

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

Any questions or doubts 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 checking out:

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