The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, towns and locations. This includes two main travel recommended 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 accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is totally indispensible Various airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

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

Further info on travelling abroad and present government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening certainly for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Various airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

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

If customers have arranged travel to infected areas after a warning was published in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are urged to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed conditions, and owing to the current situation, issues occuring as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those passengers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional charges for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have received a refund, then the responsibility of care finishes here. It is then the duty of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

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

Consumers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in relation to a country that the customer selects to journey to, and the customer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Consumers are advised to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you think 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 reserved through an authorised booking site, then you must usually obtain a repayment.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, the individual 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 ask for reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is unsuitable, then a refund can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers wishing not to attend – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the big film franchises have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities restarts as normal. Others are instructing that they will be stopping 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 expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for all of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, 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 venue or company providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule 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 reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not conceivable, 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 consumers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be provided.

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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are the same during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery firms have announced delays on non-essential products in favour of shipping medical supplies and essential goods. For more details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products must be the initial contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various circumstances mentioned below.

Nonetheless, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is accessible by visiting consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agenttold
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the purpose made known to the dealer

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their items and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to replacement or repair which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without leading to significant difficulty

If a replacement or repair isn’t possible then they might rather be entitled to:

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return the products for a refund (total refund within six months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must suit the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone call or face to face

If the buyer thinks that the items do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A complete reimbursement if the goods 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 items are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, which could be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

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

Scotrail are offering refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly due to the situation, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon 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 People who have planned travel that is no longer necessary or have planned travel to a annulled function should get in touch with the travel provider for more details on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that everyone abroad must return to the UK, a lot are yet stranded with no means to get home.

The Government has implemented measures such as specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, however this may take time. For the moment, they have made several recommendation about what those trapped in a foreign land need to do.

If somebody suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is staying will give suggestion and help on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are typically displayed when somebody 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 find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, look at 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 information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be booked

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

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

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should also keep themselves updated 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 cash to people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is also the option for those stranded to contact their employer and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or people stuck don’t have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has promised to guaranteeing that British citizens in foreign country have access to accommodation, medical supplies, water and food.

If cash is over whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary help in a few situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they must keep in contact with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are working, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while trapped in a foreign land

The stranded person will still receive 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 one is payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any queries or concerns 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 checking out:

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