The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign land, cities and regions. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land unless it is absolutely indispensible Several airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel management firm will be used for marooned nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Complete amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Various airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to certify the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reparation in conditions where other means do not.

If patrons have organised travel to infected zones after a caution was announced in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Consumers are advised to check 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 present events, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and owing to the current condition, issues arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those passengers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any further expenses for stay and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a repayment, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is probable, or where customers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain further support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in relation to a destination that the traveller picks to travel to, and the customer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to compensation.

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a refund due. If you feel that your customer 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 booked through an authorised booking site, then you ought to usually receive a reimbursement.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be kept until a postponed or revised date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a refund can be requested through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers deciding not to show up – If consumers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the big film chains 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 choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities resumes as usual. Others are advising that they will be pausing 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 costs

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

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the service due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a repayment should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special events

Weddings and special events could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the service or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for anything 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 charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is essential.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should define in detail the basis why a repayment is not probable, including any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients for purchases 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, clients 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 scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical companies have proclaimed delays on non-essential goods for transporting medical supplies and essential goods. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the items should be the very first point of contact.

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

, a complete guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is accessible by going thorugh consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying goods from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the sellerdescribed
• Just like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the agent

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their products and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair/replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they may rather be allowed to:

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced rate
• Return the goods for a reimbursement (full refund within 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must match the explanation provided by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during conversations on the phone call or in person

If the buyer thinks that the products do not match the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A full reimbursement if the products have not been accepted (not used and issue noticed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the goods do not go with the sellers description, that could be hard if the description was delivered in words.

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned travel which is no longer essential or have planned travel to a cancelled function should call the travel provider for additional information on their individual terms, including refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that everyone in a foreign country must return to the UK, several are still stuck without any way to come back home.

The Government has adopted steps like specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this may take time. For now, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what those stranded in a foreign land must do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the client is residing will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when a person 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions required will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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

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

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be found

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

Those people having travel insurance must get in touch with their provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who can’t afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded should also keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel companies.

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to those people stuck to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in some circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stuck do not have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can also offer monetary assistance in certain circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they should ascertain 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 till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on 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 apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while trapped in a foreign land

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around one month.

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

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen stays in a foreign country.

Any queries or concerns about benefit payments whilst abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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