The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This includes two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still available 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is totally vital Many airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return residents that are presently marooned abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management company will be utilized for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Further info on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Owed a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Complete cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for additional explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved individually

Customers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/adjustment in dates. Many airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may payout financial compensation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If customers have arranged travel to affected zones after a warning was announced in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are advised to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company straight for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in several circumstances, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed conditions, and owing to the present circumstances, issues arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of worry to those travellers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional costs for stay and any food required. For those customers who have received a refund, then the obligation of care finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get additional help. Specific embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution released in relation to a country that the customer chooses to travel to, and the customer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Consumers are insisted to verify policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a repayment 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 receive a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for repayments. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

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

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

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

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

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the larger cinema franchises have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For consumers who have already gotten 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 charges will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service recommences as normal. Others are instructing that they will be resting payments for memberships. Consumers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media apprises 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 charges paid for hotels and travel, then the businesses for all of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be proposed 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 amenity due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Weddings and special events could potentially be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company offering the service or managing cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for whatever that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around postponing the event is vital.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be refunded, the organiser should define in detail the cause why a refund is not probable, consisting 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 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, clients can contact their bank and attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be imposed by law, and the provision of this scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery companies have announced delays on unnecessary goods in favour of shipping medical items and vital products. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products should be the very first contact point.

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

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

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

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the agentdepited
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the idea made known to the seller

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

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their items and have passed the initial thirty days after  purchase, may be eligible for replacement or repair which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing considerable trouble

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

• Keep the products for a lower price
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (total 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 consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the merchandise must go with the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone or personally

If the customer believes that the items don’t go with the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A total refund if the items have not been accepted (not used and problem observed immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to prove that the goods do not match the sellers description, that can be tough if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different rules regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit due to the circumstances, and an administration fee might apply, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked travel that is not essential or have planned travel to a cancelled event should contact the travel service for more info on their individual terms, as well as refund guidelines.

Although the Government has Informed that every person in a foreign country should return back to the United Kingdom, many are still stranded with no way to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as specially chartered planes to help get citizens home, however this might take some time. In the meanwhile, they have made a lot of suggestions about what people who are stuck in a foreign country must do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the customer is staying will give advice and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident must seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically shown when someone is infected by coronavirus. This is available at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms-and-what-to-do/

The embassy or consulate in the region 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 nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that nation 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 contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more info on transport 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 single effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is essential to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even the choice for those stuck to contact their employer and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in some situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stuck do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has promised to making sure that British citizens abroad have access to housing, medical essentials, food and water.

If money is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial assistance in certain situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign country, they should ensure that anybody they are taking care of is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to continue to do this till they fly back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are doing a job, they should keep in contact with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

If they are employed, 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 stuck in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land 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 thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign land.

The State Pension will be paid irrespective of how long the citizen has been abroad.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign country 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