The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This includes two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is absolutely vital Several airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back citizens that are presently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration company will be employed for marooned residents to book and pay for the flight back home.

Further details on travelling abroad and existing government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they made reservations through for additional explanation.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Customers are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a compensation/change in dates. Several airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial compensation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to infected areas after a caution was announced in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are urged to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in some circumstances, have changed cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented conditions, and due to the present circumstances, concerns occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those customers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any further costs for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain further help. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in relation to a country that the consumer chooses to journey to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Customers are advised to verify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 via an authorised booking site, then you ought to genrally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket merchant, 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 request refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or changed date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is not fitting, then a repayment can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers choosing not to show up – If customers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the larger film groups have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

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

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but options may be advanced to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special events could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the service or managing cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not possible, comprising any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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, clients can contact 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 crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical companies have announced delays on avoidable products in favour of delivering medical supplies and essential goods. For additional information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the items must be the first contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances below.

But, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different areas, 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 buying items from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the agenttold
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the idea made known to the trader

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

Consumers who feel that  any of the above do not fit for their products and have passed the initial 30 days after  ordering, may be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without causing significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement is not possible then they might instead be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced price
• Return the products for a reimbursement (complete reimbursement in 6 months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must suit the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone call or personally

If the purchaser believes that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they may be entitled to;

• A complete re-payment if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and defect observed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, which might be tough if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

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

A valuable guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel which is no longer essential or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel service for more details on their individual terms and conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign country should return back to the UK, several are yet stuck with no means to get back home.

The Government has taken steps such as especially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of recommendation about what those trapped in a foreign land must do.

If someone has or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally revealed when somebody has coronavirus. This is available 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 additional information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions required will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by checking out:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be found

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

Those people with travel insurance should contact their service provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important to contact 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 people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is also the option for those trapped to contact their manager and ask for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in some circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer financial help in some circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person until they come back.

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

If the trapped passenger has pressure regarding their employment or self-employment

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

If they are working, 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.

Benefits or state pension while trapped abroad

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 4 weeks.

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

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

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or visiting:

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