The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is totally vital Several airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are currently stranded 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 used for stranded nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

More information on travelling abroad and present government suggestions are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Consumers are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/modification in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial compensation in conditions where other means do not.

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

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the current situation, problems surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those passengers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further expenses for housing and any food required. For those patrons who have received a repayment, then the responsibility of care ends here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is probable, or where patrons feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get further help. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in relation to a country that the customer selects to journey to, and the traveller chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Consumers are advised to check policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a reimbursement 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 authorised booking site, then you must genrally get a refund.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket merchant, the specific company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

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

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

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

Patrons choosing not to be there – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Quiet a few of the greater cinema groups have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

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

Claiming back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

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

Marriages and special occasions could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company offering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not probable, comprising any costs they have incurred 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 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 attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on non-essential goods in favour of transporting medical supplies and vital items. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the products must be the first contact point.

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

, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is accessible by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering products from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerexplained
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Fit for the idea told to the seller

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

Buyers who feel that  any of the above do not fit for their products and have passed the initial thirty days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without causing considerable trouble

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they might rather be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced price
• Return the items for a repayment (full repayment within 6 months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares 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 chats over the phone call or in person

If the purchaser thinks that the products don’t go with the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A total refund if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and problem seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, which could be hard if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules regarding refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

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

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel that is no longer necessary or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel provider for more details on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has advised that everyone in a foreign country should return to the United Kingdom, several are still trapped with no means to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this might take time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous suggestions about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is staying will give advice and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally revealed when someone is infected by 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures required will depend upon the area that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional details on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If an affordable air flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional info on flying back home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those with travel insurance should contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are stuck must even keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is also the choice for those stuck to contact their employer and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in certain circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can also provide financial aid in a few situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should make sure that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person until they come back.

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

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

If they are employed, they must keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on 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 while stuck in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or clicking:

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