The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. 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 to foreign countries unless it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

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

Additional info on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Whole expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Many airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial compensation in circumstances where other ways do not.

If patrons have planned travel to affected areas after a caution was announced in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in some conditions, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed situations, and due to the existing situation, concerns surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any further costs for accommodation and any food required. For those customers who have received a refund, then the duty of worry finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where consumers feel stuck, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to get more assistance. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning published in relation to a country that the consumer picks to go to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a refund due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 through an authorised booking site, then you must genrally get a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the particular 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 instance to ask for refunds. 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 rescheduled or changed date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is incompatible, then a repayment can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers wishing not to attend – If consumers wish 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 larger cinema chains have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as usual. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been charges paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Seperate terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to current conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special events

Marriages and special functions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a refund is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the buyer.

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’ liable when a product or service that has been paid for cannot be delivered.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers can contact their bank and attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on uneeded goods for delivering medical supplies and vital goods. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the goods should be the first point of contact.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that applies in various situations below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing products from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdepited
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the idea explained to the agent

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

Customers who feel that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their items and have passed the initial 30 days after  purchase, might be eligible for repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical timescale
• Without leading to significant difficulty

If a repair/replacement is not possible then they may instead be entitled to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is ordered from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must match the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the call or in person

If the purchaser believes that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

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

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the products don’t go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

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

Scotrail are offering refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the situation, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel that is not necessary or have booked travel to a cancelled function should call the travel service for additional details on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign country should return back to the UK, many are still trapped without any way to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps such as especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what those stranded abroad need to do.

If somebody has or feels they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when someone 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 finds themselves 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 get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional info on going back home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

Those people having travel insurance must contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential 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 trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is also the choice for those stranded to contact their boss and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary help in some situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people trapped do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money runs out whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial help in certain circumstances. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they should ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could request family or friends to take care of this person till they return back.

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

If the stranded passenger has worries regarding their job or self-employment

If they are working, they should keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

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

Benefits or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get 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 thirteen weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments while 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