The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but important travel abroad, cities and locations. This entails two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign countries unless it is absolutely essential Various airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are currently stranded abroad. More information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be utilized for marooned residents to reserve and pay for the flight home.

More details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Complete expense of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Consumers are suggested to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial compensation in situations where other means do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected areas after a caution was issued in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are recommended to verify the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, 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 used in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the current condition, concerns surfacing as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those passengers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any further charges for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have accepted a repayment, then the obligation of concern terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is probable, or where consumers feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain more support. Specific 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 journey to, and the traveller chooses to call off their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Customers are insisted to check policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary 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 reserved through an authorised booking site, then you must normally get a repayment.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case 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 held until a rescheduled or revised date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be requested via the original booking company.

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

Certain events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema closings

Several of the big cinema franchises have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

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

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been expenditures paid for hotels and travel, then the businesses for every one of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but options may be offered to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

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

Marriages and special functions could possibly be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the service or organising cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around delaying the event is key.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the planner should define in detail the cause why a refund is not probable, consisting any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the buyer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers for purchases 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 get in touch with their bank and attempt to 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 pandemic. Some delivery companies have declared delays on unnecessary items for shipping medical items and vital products. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items must be the first contact point.

We have explained the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various situations below.

But, a more comprehensive 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 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the agent

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

Consumers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their products and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, may be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

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

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

• Keep the products for a lower rate
• Return back the goods for a repayment (total repayment in six months or partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during conversations on the phone call or in person

If the buyer thinks that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A complete re-payment if the goods have not been accepted (not used and problem noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the items don’t match the sellers description, which can be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines about refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has altered a little because of the situation, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel which is no longer needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should call the travel provider for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everybody abroad should come back to the UK, a lot are still trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this might take some time. For now, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what people who are trapped abroad need to do.

If somebody has or believes they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the buyer is staying will give advice and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen should take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed when someone has coronavirus. This is listed 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 stays can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. 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 get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight home cannot be found

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

Those people with 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 also check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stuck should even keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is even the option for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary assistance in certain situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can even offer financial help in certain situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to take care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they must make sure that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they must keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed about their condition.

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

Benefits or state pension while stranded abroad

The trapped person will still receive 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 thirteen weeks whilst abroad.

The State Pension will be paid regardless of how long the citizen stays in a foreign land.

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst abroad can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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