The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign land, towns and areas. This entails two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. 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 utilized for stranded residents to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional 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 region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel booked separately

Consumers are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/adjustment in dates. Many airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial reparation in conditions where other means do not.

If customers have organised travel to infected regions after a warning was announced in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have altered cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed situations, and owing to the current circumstances, problems arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any extra costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have accepted a refund, then the duty of concern ends here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present locality to get additional support. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in regard to a country that the traveller selects to travel to, and the customer selects to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Travellers are advised to check policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a repayment due. If you belive that your consumer 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 booked via an official booking site, then you must genrally receive a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, compel firms registered with them to repay 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 referred. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance 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 retained until a rescheduled or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

Customers choosing not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the big movie franchises have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly charges will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs incurred for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special functions

Weddings and special events could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is key.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should define in detail the cause why a repayment is not probable, consisting any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers 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 provided.

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 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 unaffected throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on avoidable products for transporting medical items and essential items. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the products should be the initial point of contact.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in different circumstances listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerexplained
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the agent

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

Buyers who feel that  any of the above don’t apply to their products and have passed the first 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical timescale
• Without causing considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the products for a lesser price
• Return back the items for a refund (complete refund in six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the products must suit the description provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone or in person

If the customer feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A total refund if the products have not been accepted (not used and problem noticed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the goods do not go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different guidelines regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly because of the circumstances, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

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 planned a trip that is no longer required or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should get in touch with the travel service for more info on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody abroad should come back to the UK, a lot are yet trapped without any means to come back home.

The Government has adopted measures such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this may take time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of suggestions about what those trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the client is residing will provide suggestion and help on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen must take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed 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 area 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 nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary will depend upon the area that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, look at 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

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

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more details on transport home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those having travel insurance must get in touch with their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is even the option for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial assistance in certain situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary aid in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck abroad, they must ensure that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they return to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to look after this person until they come back.

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

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

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

If they are employed, 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 trapped abroad

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to 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 abroad.

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

Any queries or doubts regarding benefit payments while abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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