The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, cities and locations. This entails two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is totally vital Various airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

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

More info on going abroad and existing government suggestions are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Whole amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved individually

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

In circumstances where the hotel and site are functioning, 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 procured. These may payout financial reparation in conditions where other measures do not.

If patrons have organised travel to infected areas after a caution was announced in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are advised to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and owing to the current condition, problems surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those customers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further charges for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have received a repayment, then the duty of care terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is probable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain further support. Detailed embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a country that the consumer selects to journey to, and the traveller picks to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Travellers are insisted to verify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you think 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 reserved through an authorised booking site, then you should usually obtain a repayment.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rescheduled or changed date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is incompatible, then a reimbursement can be requested through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons wishing not to attend – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the larger cinema chains have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly charges will resume, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as normal. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Patrons 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 cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for every one of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

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

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

Marriages and special functions could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not possible, consisting any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

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’ accountable 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 to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are the same throughout the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery companies have proclaimed delays on unnecessary products for shipping medical items and essential items. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the products must be the very first point of contact.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

Nonetheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agenttold
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the seller

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

Purchasers who believe that  any of the above don’t apply to their products and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without resulting in significant inconvenience

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they might rather be permitted to:

• Keep the items for a reduced rate
• Return back the goods for a repayment (total reimbursement within six months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must suit the description provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during chats over the phone or in person

If the purchaser believes that the goods don’t go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A total refund if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue observed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to prove that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, which can be tough if the description was given in words.

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the situation, and an administration charge might apply, depending on the type of ticket.

A useful 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 which is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a cancelled function should call the travel provider for more info on their individual terms, including refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that every person abroad must come back to the UK, several are still stranded with no way to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this may take time. Meanwhile, they have made several recommendation about what those people who are stranded in a foreign country should 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 advice and guidance on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically displayed 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 area where the UK citizen resides 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 call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

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

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

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more information on going back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those having travel insurance should contact their provider because 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 can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should also keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel firms.

It is essential to contact family and friends to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer money to those stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is also the option for those stranded to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in certain situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or people stuck do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has committed to making sure that British citizens in foreign country have access to accommodation, medical essentials, water and food.

If money is over whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary help in certain situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should ensure that anybody they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to continue to do this until they come back to the UK.

They could ask family or friends to look after this person until they return.

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

If the trapped passenger has tension regarding their job or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they should be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about their situation.

If they are employed, they can however 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 whilst stuck in a foreign country

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad 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 in a foreign land.

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

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

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