The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel abroad, towns and areas. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, 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 land unless it is totally vital Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are currently marooned 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 supervision firm will be used for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further info on going abroad and present government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Consumers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Several airlines are permitting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

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

If consumers have organised travel to affected areas after a warning was published in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are recommended to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent events, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in some situations, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen situations, and due to the current circumstances, concerns surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning 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 also pay for any extra expenses for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have received a reimbursement, then the responsibility of care terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

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

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution published in regard to a country that the traveller picks to travel to, and the traveller picks to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to repayment.

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel that your consumer 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 booked via an official booking site, then you should usually get a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly 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 rescheduled.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or revised date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is incompatible, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big film franchises have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

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

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

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

Weddings and special functions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue catering the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is essential.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the basis why a reimbursement is not conceivable, consisting 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 service or product that has been paid for cannot be entertained.

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

Consumer rights are unaffected throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery firms have declared delays on avoidable goods in favour of delivering medical items and vital items. For extra info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the initial point of contact.

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

Nevertheless, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the traderdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the purpose told to the trader

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

Consumers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their goods and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  ordering, can be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without causing considerable difficulty

In case a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they may instead be entitled to:

• Keep the items for a lesser price
• Return the products for a refund (total repayment within 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must suit the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during conversations over the phone or personally

If the buyer believes that the goods don’t match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noted immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, which can be tough if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies about reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the circumstances, and an administration fee might 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 People who have planned travel that is not essential or have planned travel to a cancelled event should contact the travel provider for more details on their individual terms, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign land must return back to the UK, a lot are still stranded without any means to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps like especially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, but this may take time. For the timebeing, they have made several recommendation regarding what those stranded abroad should do.

If someone suffers or feels they have coronavirus

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

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are typically shown when a person 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend on the area 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 found 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 closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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 additional details on transport home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People having travel insurance must get in touch with their provider because 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 find themselves stuck should also keep themselves informed on the notice from local travel companies.

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the option for those trapped to get in touch with their employer and request for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary help in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash runs out whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well provide financial aid in some circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while stranded abroad

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land 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 whilst in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen stays abroad.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst abroad can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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