The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, cities and locations. This comprises two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries unless it is utterly vital Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management company will be used for marooned residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further details on going abroad and existing government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their region – Entitled to a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Whole cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Patrons are advised to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial compensation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If customers have organised travel to affected regions after a warning was issued in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are recommended to check the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in several situations, 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 utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and due to the present condition, problems occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those customers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any extra costs for accommodation and any food vital. For those consumers who have received a repayment, then the obligation of concern ends here. It is then the duty of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain further support. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in relation to a country that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your customer rights have been violated, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and advice.

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 certified booking site, then you must genrally obtain a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for repayments. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

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

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

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

Customers choosing not to be there – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the greater film franchises have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises 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 charges incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but options may be proposed to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special events

Marriages and special functions could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is key.

For everything 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, comprising any costs they have incurred 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’ liable when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be provided.

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 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 unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on uneeded items in favour of delivering medical supplies and necessary products. For more info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items must be the first contact point.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in different circumstances below.

Nevertheless, 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 items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the trader

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

Buyers who think that  any of the above don’t fit for their items and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without resulting in considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser rate
• Return back the goods for a repayment (total refund within 6 months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats on the phone or personally

If the customer believes that the items don’t go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A total re-payment if the items have not been accepted (not used and issue seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the products are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the products don’t match the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

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

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee may 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 booked a trip which is not needed or have booked travel to a cancelled function should call the travel provider for additional details on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that every person abroad must come back to the United Kingdom, several are yet stuck with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken measures such as specially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, however this might take time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what those people who are stranded in a foreign land need to do.

If somebody has or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and help on what to do if somebody has, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are generally shown when somebody 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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 additional details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for additional information on flying back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance should get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who can’t afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stranded should also keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with friends and family to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to those people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary assistance in some circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can also provide monetary aid in some situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to look after this person till they return.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst stranded in a foreign land

The trapped person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each one is payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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