The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, towns and areas. This includes 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, don’t travel abroad unless it is utterly vital Several airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be used for stuck residents to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further information on travelling abroad and existing government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Entitled to a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other 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 customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Consumers are advised to contact their hotels, asking for a refund/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to make sure the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial compensation in situations where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to affected regions after a warning was published in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are advised to ensure the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and owing to the current condition, problems surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those customers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any extra costs for stay and any food vital. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the duty of worry ends here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is possible, or where customers feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek more assistance. Individual embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in relation to a country that the customer picks to travel to, and the traveller picks to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to repayment.

Travellers are advised to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 official booking site, then you ought to normally obtain a refund.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or altered date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is incompatible, then a refund can be requested through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers wishing not to show up – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the greater cinema groups have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will carry on, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as usual. Others are advising 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.

Getting back hotel and travel charges

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

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but options may be offered to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to provide the service due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special events could possibly be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the service or organising cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is essential.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the coordinator should outline in detail the basis why a refund is not possible, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

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’ responsible when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be delivered.

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 try and make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced 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. A couple of delivery and logistical companies have declared delays on uneeded products for transporting medical supplies and necessary goods. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the goods must be the first contact point.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that applies in different situations mentioned below.

Nonetheless, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including 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 items from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellermentioned
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the dealer

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

Consumers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their products and have exceeded the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without leading to significant trouble

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

• Keep the goods for a reduced price
• Return back the merchandise for a reimbursement (complete reimbursement within 6 months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone call or face to face

If the customer thinks that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they might be eligible for;

• A full reimbursement if the goods have not been accepted (not used and issue noticed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the goods do not go with the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies regarding refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A useful 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 which is no longer needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should contact the travel service for additional information on their individual terms and conditions, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the UK, many are yet stuck with no way to come back home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this might take some time. In the meanwhile, they have made numerous recommendation about what people who are stuck abroad should do.

If somebody has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and help on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are normally revealed when someone 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend on the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. 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

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively 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 additional details on transport home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

People with travel insurance must contact 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 even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should even keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel companies.

It is important to get in touch with friends and family to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people stuck to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is also the option for those trapped to contact their boss and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial help in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those stuck do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money is over whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can even offer financial aid in certain situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ensure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they fly back to the UK.

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

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

If the stranded passenger has tension regarding their job or self-employment

If they are working, they should be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are employed, 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 trapped in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to a month.

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

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments while in a foreign land 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