The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and regions. This includes two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are currently stranded abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be employed for stuck nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional information on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are offered 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 another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Complete cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Patrons are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/modification in dates. Several airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial compensation in situations where other measures do not.

If customers have arranged travel to affected regions after a notice was announced in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current events, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several situations, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the present situation, problems surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those travellers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any extra expenses for accommodation and any food essential. For those consumers who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of care ends here. It is then the duty of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

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

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in relation to a destination that the customer picks to go to, and the traveller picks to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to compensation.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you belive 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 via an certified booking site, then you must normally get a reimbursement.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a postponed or revised date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is not fitting, then a repayment can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema closings

Numerous of the greater movie groups have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service resumes as normal. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are recommended 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 pandemic and there have been costs paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but options may be offered to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

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

Marriages and special events could potentially be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, 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 rescheduling the event is essential.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not possible, comprising 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 buyers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable when a product or service 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 and make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed by law, and the provision of this plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unchanged throughout the coronavirus crisis. A couple of delivery firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary products in favour of shipping medical items and essential items. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods should be the first contact point.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that applies in various circumstances mentioned below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying goods from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellertold
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the idea made known to the seller

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

Consumers who feel that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their products and have passed the first thirty days after  purchase, might be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without leading to significant problem

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they might rather be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a reduced rate
• Return back the items for a refund (complete refund within 6 months or partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must suit the description provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during chats on the phone or in person

If the customer feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A full refund if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and defect observed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the products are worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the products don’t go with the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different rules regarding reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have booked travel which is no longer required or have planned travel to a annulled function should get in touch with the travel service for more info on their individual terms and conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign land must come back to the UK, many are still trapped without any way to get back home.

The Government has taken measures such as specially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this might take some time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what people who are trapped abroad need to do.

If someone has or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone has, or believes that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are generally 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 area where the UK citizen finds themselves 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 contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

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

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 more info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more information on transport home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

People having travel insurance should get in touch with their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel could also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is even the choice for those trapped to contact their boss and ask for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in certain circumstances. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or people trapped don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can also provide monetary aid in a few circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they must ensure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should contact their manager wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are working, they can however 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 whilst stranded in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for up to 4 weeks.

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 regardless of how long the citizen stays in a foreign land.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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