The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel abroad, towns and regions. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently stuck abroad. Additional 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 used for stuck residents to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on going abroad and current government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Complete expense of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved independantly

Patrons are recommended to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are recommended to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial compensation in conditions where other measures do not.

If patrons have planned travel to affected regions after a caution was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are urged to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, 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 unprecedented conditions, and owing to the existing situation, concerns arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline should moreover pay for any additional expenses for accommodation and any food essential. For those patrons who have taken a repayment, then the responsibility of concern finishes here. It is then the duty of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel trapped, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain further support. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in regard to a destination that the traveller picks to travel to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to reimbursement.

Customers are advised to verify policy and booking approval specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is required or a refund due. If you think that your customer 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 through an certified booking site, then you must normally get a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the company who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request refunds. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or altered date is revealed. If there is an problem 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 contain the fee incurred for booking fees or delivery.

Specific events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons choosing not to attend – If customers decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the big movie chains have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as regular. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been costs paid for hotels and travel, then the companies for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be offered to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to recent situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special events

Weddings and special events could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company offering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should define in detail the reason why a refund is not conceivable, consisting 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 service or product 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 try and 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 throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery companies have announced delays on avoidable goods in favour of transporting medical items and vital items. For extra details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the products must be the initial point of contact.

We have explained the important consumer rights legislation that is valid in different situations listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

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

• Of good quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the dealerdepited
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the idea told to the agent

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

Customers who believe that  any of the above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the initial 30 days after  purchase, can be entitled to repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the products for a lesser rate
• Return back the merchandise for a refund (total repayment within 6 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 consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must suit the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the call or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and problem seen instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are truly worth

The trouble of proof is on the client to prove that the goods don’t match the sellers description, that might be tough if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules about refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the circumstances, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending on the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned a trip that is not needed or have booked travel to a cancelled event should get in touch with the travel service for more details on their individual conditions, as well as refund guidelines.

Though the Government has advised that everyone in a foreign country should come back to the United Kingdom, many are still stuck without any means to get back home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, however this may take some time. In the meanwhile, they have made a lot of recommendation about what people who are trapped in a foreign land should do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and country in which the buyer is staying will give suggestion and assistance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed when a person 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to find 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 coming to an end quickly

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by visiting:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If an affordable air flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for additional details on flying back home. They may delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance should contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel could even see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is vital to contact family and friends to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is even the option for those trapped to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in some circumstances. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash runs out whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can also provide monetary aid in certain circumstances. More information can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to continue to do this till they return back to the UK.

They could ask family or friends to take care of this person until they return.

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated about their condition.

If they are doing a job, they can however 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 whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to a month.

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

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

Any queries or concerns 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