The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but important travel to foreign land, towns and locations. This comprises two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, 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 to foreign countries except if it is totally essential Several airlines are now announcing terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return residents that are currently stranded abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision company will be employed for stuck citizens to book and pay for the flight back home.

More details on travelling abroad and present government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Customers are advised to contact their hotels, requesting a repayment/change in dates. Several airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reimbursement in circumstances where other measures do not.

If patrons have planned travel to infected areas after a caution was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are advised to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current events, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in some circumstances, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and owing to the existing circumstances, issues arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those customers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to also pay for any additional charges for accommodation and any food vital. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of concern terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek further help. Individual embassy locations can be found 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 caution published in regard to a country that the consumer chooses to journey to, and the consumer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to compensation.

Consumers are advised to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is required or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been breached, 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 obtain 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 refund the ticket’s face value price when an event is cancelled. This does not consist of the costs paid for delivery.

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request reimbursements. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or revised 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 requested through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers deciding not to be there – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Quiet a few of the larger film franchises have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will resume, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as normal. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs 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 costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be offered 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 provide the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Marriages and special occasions could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is vital.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should outline in detail the cause why a repayment is not conceivable, 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’ 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, buyers can contact their bank and try to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unaffected throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery firms have proclaimed delays on non-essential goods for transporting medical supplies and necessary goods. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the goods should be the very first contact point.

We have explained the important consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different circumstances listed below.

, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying merchandise from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentexplained
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the idea made known to the dealer

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

Consumers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their products and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  ordering, may be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without causing significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they may instead be allowed to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must match the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during discussions over the phone or face to face

If the purchaser thinks that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A full reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and problem observed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the goods are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel companies have different policies about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the situation, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel that is no longer needed or have booked travel to a annulled event should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual terms, including refund policies.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the UK, many are yet trapped with no means to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, however this may take time. Meanwhile, they have made a lot of recommendation about what those people who are stuck in a foreign country must do.

If somebody has or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone has, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally 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 locate the closest one in your area, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more details 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 an affordable flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional info on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance must get in touch with their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel can even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends 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 & benefits / financial assistance

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in certain situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide monetary help in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should ascertain that anyone 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 till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they should keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed about 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.

Benefits or state pension whilst stranded abroad

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

The State Pension will be paid irrespective of how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any questions or doubts regarding benefit payments while in a foreign country can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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