The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, cities and regions. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is totally indispensible Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will bring back citizens that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be utilized for stranded nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

More details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Customers are recommended to call their hotels, asking for a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting 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

Consumers are urged to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial reparation in conditions where other measures do not.

If consumers have organised travel to infected zones after a caution was published in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are advised to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several circumstances, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the existing circumstances, problems arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should also pay for any further charges for stay and any food vital. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of care terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where customers feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain more assistance. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in regard to a country that the customer selects to journey to, and the consumer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to verify policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel 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 booked via an certified booking site, then you ought to genrally get a refund.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be requested via the original booking company.

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

Individual events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Customers choosing not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the larger cinema chains have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been expenditures suffered for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, 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 epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special events could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a repayment is not probable, including 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’ 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, consumers 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 are unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery firms have announced delays on avoidable products for shipping medical supplies and essential goods. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the very first contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various situations below.

However, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing merchandise from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

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

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their products and have gone beyond the initial thirty days after  ordering, can be entitled to replacement or repair which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without resulting in considerable difficulty

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they might instead be permitted to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must suit the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone call or face to face

If the customer thinks that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and fault noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the products do not match the sellers description, that could be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules regarding re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee may be imposed, 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 function should contact the travel provider for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign land should come back to the United Kingdom, a lot are still trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has adopted measures such as specially chartered planes to enable get citizens home, however this might take time. For now, they have made several suggestions about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land must do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are normally displayed when somebody 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information 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 quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 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 should be contacted in the first instance for more information on flying back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those people with travel insurance must get in touch with their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck must also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel firms.

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

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is even the option for those stuck to contact their boss and ask for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary help in certain circumstances. More information can be read 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 in foreign country have access to housing, medical supplies, water and food.

If money runs out whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can also offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. More information can be accessed 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 land, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to look after this person until they return back.

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

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

If they are employed, they should keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated about their condition.

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 while stranded abroad

The stranded passenger will still receive 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, they are each payable for thirteen weeks while abroad.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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