The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but important travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This entails two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are currently marooned abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management firm will be employed for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

More info on travelling abroad and current government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Complete amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Consumers are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reparation in conditions where other ways do not.

If patrons have organised travel to affected areas after a warning was published in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are recommended to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain conditions, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, problems arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those customers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any further costs for housing and any food vital. For those patrons who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of concern terminates here. It is then the duty of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is probable, or where consumers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek more support. Detailed 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 caution issued in regard to a country that the consumer chooses to journey to, and the consumer selects to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to verify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you belive 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 official booking site, then you must usually get a repayment.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket seller, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or altered 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 asked for through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons deciding not to attend – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater movie groups have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as usual. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

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

Weddings and special occasions could potentially be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue offering the service or managing cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is key.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the cause 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 consumers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be provided.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, consumers can get in touch with their bank and try and 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 are unchanged during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on unnecessary products for shipping medical supplies and essential products. For extra information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items should be the initial contact point.

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

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the traderdepited
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose explained to the seller

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without leading to significant difficulty

If a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they might rather be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return back the items for a repayment (full reimbursement in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must match the description given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during chats over the phone call or face to face

If the purchaser feels that the products don’t go with the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A full re-payment if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and defect noted quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are really worth

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

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has altered a little due to the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel that is not needed or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should call the travel service for additional details on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign land should return to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet trapped without any means to get home.

The Government has taken measures such as especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, but this may take some time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation about what people who are trapped abroad must do.

If someone suffers or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is residing will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are generally shown when someone is suffering from 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read 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 details on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more information on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those people with travel insurance must contact their service provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are trapped must also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel companies.

It is important to contact family and friends to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary support

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary help in certain circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those stranded do not have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical essentials

The UK Government has committed to guaranteeing that British citizens abroad have access to housing, medical supplies, food and water.

If cash runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer monetary help in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they fly back to the UK.

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

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

If the trapped 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 about their condition.

If they are doing a job, 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 whilst trapped abroad

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

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

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

Any questions or doubts regarding benefit payments whilst abroad 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