The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel abroad, cities and locations. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries except if it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now stating terminations 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 affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will return nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel administration firm will be used for stuck nationals to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional information on going abroad and current government suggestions are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Patrons are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a compensation/modification in dates. Several airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial compensation in conditions where other means do not.

If consumers have organised travel to infected regions after a warning was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are recommended to check 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 events, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed situations, and owing to the current situation, issues arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those customers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any further costs for stay and any food required. For those patrons who have received a reimbursement, then the duty of worry terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is probable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get additional assistance. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in relation to a country that the customer picks to travel to, and the traveller chooses to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a repayment due. If you think that your customer rights have been waived, 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 by means of an certified booking site, then you must normally obtain a repayment.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request refunds. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or altered date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is incompatible, then a repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the larger film franchises have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

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

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special events

Weddings and special functions could probably be affected 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 insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the basis why a refund is not possible, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

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’ responsible when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be delivered.

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

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have announced delays on unnecessary products for shipping medical items and essential goods. For additional information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods should be the very first point of contact.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various circumstances listed below.

, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including 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

When purchasing merchandise from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the seller

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

Consumers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their items and have gone beyond the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair/replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in significant inconvenience

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser rate
• Return back the products for a refund (total repayment within 6 months or perhaps 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 covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during discussions on the phone or face to face

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

• A full reimbursement if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and issue noticed instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was delivered in words.

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

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel which is no longer required or have planned travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for additional information on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everybody in a foreign land should come back to the United Kingdom, several are still stranded without any way to get home.

The Government has adopted measures such as specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this may take time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those stranded abroad need to do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone has, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are normally displayed 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions mandatory will depend on the area that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located 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 more details on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

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

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

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

It is essential to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is also the option for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary help in some situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash is over whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, 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 asked to carry on to do this till they return back to the UK.

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

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

If the stranded passenger has worries about their employment or self-employment

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed on 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 request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst trapped abroad

The stranded person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for around a month.

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

The State Pension will be paid regardless of how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be answered 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