The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel abroad, cities and locations. This includes two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries unless it is totally essential Several airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel management firm will be utilized for stranded nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

Further information on going abroad and existing government advices are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights reserved independantly

Customers are advised to call their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other measures do not.

If customers have arranged travel to affected areas after a notice was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are advised to verify the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in several situations, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and owing to the existing situation, issues arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those travellers in a foreign country if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline must also pay for any extra expenses for accommodation and any food required. For those customers who have received a reimbursement, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is conceivable, or where patrons feel trapped, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current locality to obtain more support. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in relation to a destination that the consumer selects to journey to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Consumers are insisted to check policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you belive that your consumer 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 through an authorised booking site, then you should usually get a repayment.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request refunds. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or changed date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers choosing not to show up – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the greater film franchises have declared that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

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

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

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

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be advanced 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 offer the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Bookings for marriages and special functions

Marriages and special events could possibly be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is essential.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not conceivable, 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 clients 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 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 remain the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical companies have proclaimed delays on non-essential products for shipping medical supplies and necessary goods. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the items must be the first point of contact.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that applies in different situations mentioned below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When buying merchandise from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the traderdescribed
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the dealer

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

Buyers who believe that  any of the above don’t fit for their items and have gone beyond the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical timescale
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

In case a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they might rather be allowed to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must go with the description given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during discussions over the phone call or face to face

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

• A full refund if the products have not been accepted (not used and issue seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the purchaser to prove that the products don’t match the sellers description, that could be difficult if the description was delivered verbally.

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

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the situation, and an administration fee may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned a trip that is no longer needed or have planned travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for more info on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that everyone abroad must return to the UK, a lot are still stuck without any means to get home.

The Government has taken measures such as especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, however this may take some time. For now, they have made numerous suggestions about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or believes they are infected by coronavirus

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

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are normally shown when a person 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 finds themselves can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the actions required will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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 contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should 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 provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded must even keep themselves updated on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact family and friends to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those stranded to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is even the choice for those stuck to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide monetary aid in some situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If money is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well provide financial assistance in a few situations. More details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they should make sure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to look after this person until they come back.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should be in touch with their boss wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

If they are working, they can still 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 while stuck in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still receive 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, they are each payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign country.

The State Pension will be paid irrespective of how long the citizen has been in a foreign land.

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments while in a foreign country can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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