The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign land, towns and areas. This entails two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land unless it is utterly indispensible Many airlines are now announcing cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently stranded abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision firm will be utilized for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

More info on going abroad and current government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Complete amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but patrons can contact the company that they booked through for additional clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, requesting a refund/modification in dates. Several 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 lose out.

Travel Insurance policies

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

If customers have planned travel to affected zones after a warning was issued in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed conditions, and due to the existing circumstances, concerns occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional expenses for housing and any food vital. For those patrons who have taken a refund, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is probable, or where customers feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain additional help. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in relation to a country that the consumer selects to go to, and the traveller chooses to call off their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is required or a repayment due. If you belive that your customer 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 through an official booking site, then you ought to normally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request refunds. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Customers deciding not to show up – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater movie franchises have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will continue, 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 advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises 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 expenditures incurred for hotels and travel, then the businesses for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but choices 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 service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Marriages and special functions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or organising cancels, then a refund should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising 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 clients 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 entertained.

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 enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on uneeded products in favour of shipping medical supplies and essential items. For additional information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the items must be the initial contact point.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that applies in various circumstances mentioned below.

But, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is available by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering products from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the sellertold
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose explained to the agent

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

Buyers who think that  any of the above do not apply to their items and have exceeded the first 30 days after  ordering, might be eligible for replacement or repair that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without resulting in significant inconvenience

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser rate
• Return the items for a refund (full repayment in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement 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 states the products must match the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone or in person

If the customer believes that the items don’t match the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A full refund if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and fault noted quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to prove that the items don’t go with the sellers description, that can be hard if the description was given orally.

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly due to the circumstances, and an administration fee might 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 booked a trip which is not required or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should call the travel service for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that everybody abroad should come back to the UK, several are still stuck without any way to come back home.

The Government has implemented steps like especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, however this may take time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation regarding what people who are stuck in a foreign land need to do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically shown when somebody is infected by 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 info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located 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 additional info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more info on going back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

People with travel insurance should contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel could even see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the choice for those trapped to contact their employer and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial assistance in a few circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can also provide monetary help in a few circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this until they return to the UK.

They could request family or friends to take care of this person until they return.

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

If the stranded passenger has pressure regarding their job or self-employment

If they are employed, they must keep in contact with their manager 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 apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while trapped in a foreign country

The stranded person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for thirteen weeks while abroad.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments while in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or clicking:

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