The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries unless it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for marooned nationals to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further information on going abroad and current government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Patrons are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/modification in dates. Various airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial reparation in situations where other ways do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to affected zones after a warning was announced in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Consumers are advised to check the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain conditions, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen circumstances, and owing to the present condition, issues occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should also pay for any extra expenses for accommodation and any food required. For those consumers who have received a reimbursement, then the obligation of worry terminates here. It is then the duty of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is conceivable, or where patrons feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to seek more help. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning released in regard to a destination that the customer chooses to travel to, and the traveller picks to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Customers are urged to verify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you think that your customer 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 by means of an authorised booking site, then you should usually get a repayment.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request repayments. There may also be the option 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 revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is incompatible, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers wishing not to attend – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the big movie chains have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities 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.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been expenditures incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but options may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is vital.

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

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ responsible when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers can contact their bank and attempt 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 throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery firms have proclaimed delays on uneeded products in favour of shipping medical items and vital items. For extra info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the initial point of contact.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering products from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

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

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

Customers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their items and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical time frame
• Without resulting in significant problem

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must match the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the phone or face to face

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

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and issue noted quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the items don’t match the sellers description, which can be hard if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked travel which is not necessary or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for additional details on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has Informed that everyone abroad should come back to the United Kingdom, several are still stuck with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken steps such as specially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this might take some time. Meanwhile, they have made several recommendation about what those trapped in a foreign country must do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the client is staying will give suggestion and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally revealed when somebody has 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 more information 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 visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions mandatory will depend on the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, look at 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 more details on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise 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 details on transport home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those people having travel insurance must contact their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel can even see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they know 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 / financial aid

There is even the choice for those trapped to contact their boss and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in a few situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well provide monetary help in some situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they should ensure 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 family or friends to take care of this person until they return back.

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

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

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them updated 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 stranded in a foreign land

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

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments while abroad can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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