The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel abroad, cities and regions. This entails two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is absolutely indispensible Several airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

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

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some consumers, but patrons can contact the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked independantly

Customers are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a refund/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other means do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to affected areas after a warning was announced in the area, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are recommended to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in several situations, have altered 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 unforeseen situations, and due to the existing situation, problems arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must also pay for any extra costs for stay and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of concern finishes here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek further help. Detailed embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice released in regard to a country that the customer chooses to travel to, and the customer selects to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Customers are advised to verify policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 by means of an authorised booking site, then you ought to usually receive a refund.

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

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

Rescheduled events

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

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

Specific events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers wishing not to be there – If consumers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Quiet a few of the larger film chains have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as regular. 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 expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and there have been charges paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but options may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special events

Weddings and special occasions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the service or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have incurred 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 product or service 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 attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain the same during the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary items for delivering medical supplies and vital products. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods should be the initial contact point.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances listed below.

However, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying products from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose made known to the seller

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their goods and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without leading to considerable trouble

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

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return the items for a repayment (complete repayment in 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is bought from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must go with the description provided by the seller. This comprises:

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

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

• A total re-payment if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and defect noted instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the items do not match the sellers description, that can be hard if the description was given in words.

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the circumstances, and an administration fee may apply, depending on the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is no longer needed or have booked travel to a annulled event should call the travel provider for additional details on their individual conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that everybody abroad should return to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stuck with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken steps like especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made several suggestions regarding what people who are stranded abroad need to do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if somebody has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed 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 area where the UK citizen resides 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 call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the area that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by visiting:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional info on going back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those people with travel insurance should get in touch with their provider because the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are trapped must also keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is vital to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer money to those people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial support

There is also the option for those stranded to contact their boss and request for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in certain circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign country, The UK Government can even provide monetary help in certain situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this until they fly back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should contact their employer wherever possible to keep them informed about 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 request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while trapped abroad

The stranded person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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