The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and locations. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is utterly vital Several airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are presently marooned 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 management company will be employed for marooned residents to book and pay for the flight back home.

Further details on travelling abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Complete cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Customers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a repayment/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial compensation in circumstances where other ways do not.

If consumers have organised travel to affected areas after a caution was announced in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are urged to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present events, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in some circumstances, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, concerns arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those travellers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any further charges for housing and any food vital. For those customers who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of concern terminates here. It is then the duty of the commuter to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more support. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in relation to a country that the traveller chooses to go to, and the consumer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Customers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been breached, 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 via an authorised booking site, then you should genrally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for reimbursements. 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 revised date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons deciding not to attend – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the larger cinema groups have declared that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service resumes as regular. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are advised 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 terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been charges suffered for hotels and travel, then the companies for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but options may be offered to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present situations.

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

Weddings and special occasions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is key.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not conceivable, comprising any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers for orders 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 delivered.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers can contact their bank and try to 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 during the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery companies have announced delays on uneeded items for transporting medical items and essential items. For more info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the goods must be the initial point of contact.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that applies in various situations listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering items from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the tradertold
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Fit for the idea made known to the seller

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

Consumers who believe that  any of the above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the initial thirty days after  purchase, might be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing significant trouble

If a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be permitted to:

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser rate
• Return the products for a reimbursement (full repayment within six months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must go with the description provided by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the buyer believes that the goods don’t go with the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the products have not been accepted (not used and fault noticed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the products do not go with the sellers description, that might be difficult if the description was delivered in words.

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

Scotrail are offering refunds on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending upon 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 booked travel which is no longer required or have planned travel to a annulled function should contact the travel service for more details on their individual conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everyone in a foreign land must return back to the UK, a lot are still trapped with no means to get back home.

The Government has implemented measures like specially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, but this might take time. For the moment, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what people who are stuck in a foreign land should do.

If someone has or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the buyer is residing will give advice and assistance on what to do if someone has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident must take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are normally shown when somebody is infected by 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 information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, 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

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 alternatively check out:

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

If a inexpensive air flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional details on going back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those having travel insurance should contact their service provider as the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. Those who cannot afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves informed on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is vital to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stuck to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

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

If cash is over, or people 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 accommodation, medical supplies, food and water.

If money is over whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well offer financial assistance in some situations. Additional details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they must contact their manager 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 apply for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension whilst stranded in a foreign country

The stranded passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for around 4 weeks.

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

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments while 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