The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel abroad, towns and locations. This entails two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is totally essential Many airlines are now stating cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are presently stranded abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel management firm will be employed for stranded citizens to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further info on going abroad and current government suggestions are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but customers can contact the company that they made reservations through for extra clarification.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Consumers are advised to contact their hotels, requesting a compensation/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are advised to certify the details of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial reparation in situations where other measures do not.

If customers have arranged travel to affected zones after a warning was published in the area, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are recommended to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

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

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of concern to those customers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional charges for housing and any food essential. For those customers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek additional assistance. Individual embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution released in regard to a country that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to compensation.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a refund due. If you feel that your customer rights have been waived, 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 booked by means of an authorised booking site, then you ought to usually obtain a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory association and as such, require firms listed with them to repay 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 retailer, the specific 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 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 rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a repayment can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

Individual events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the planner.

Customers wishing not to show up – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the larger movie groups have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already bought tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly payments will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service resumes as usual. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming 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 establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be advanced to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special events

Marriages and special events could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the service or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that 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 customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the planner should outline in detail the basis why a repayment is not possible, comprising any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

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’ accountable 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, buyers can get in touch with their bank and attempt 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 unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have announced delays on avoidable items for transporting medical supplies and necessary items. For additional information on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the goods should be the first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various situations listed below.

, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is accessible by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing products from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentexplained
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the trader

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

Purchasers who feel that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their products and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, might be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within realistic time frame
• Without causing considerable problem

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser rate
• Return back the merchandise for a repayment (full refund within 6 months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the consumer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during chats on the phone or in person

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

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

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

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

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful 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 which is not required or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for more details on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everybody in a foreign country should return to the UK, several are yet stuck with no means to get home.

The Government has adopted measures like especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, however this might take some time. For now, they have made a lot of recommendation about what people who are trapped abroad should do.

If somebody suffers or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is residing will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the resident should take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when a person 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, look at the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read 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 find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a reasonably priced flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more details on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

Those with travel insurance must get in touch with their service 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 can’t afford travel could even check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is essential to get in touch with friends and family to make sure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to those people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial support

There is even the option for those stuck to get in touch with their employer and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary help in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer monetary help in some circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to care for a relative in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be requested to continue to do this until they return back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are working, they should contact their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their situation.

If they are working, 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.

Benefits or state pension while stuck abroad

The stranded person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for around 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 regardless of how long the citizen stays abroad.

Any queries or doubts regarding 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 clicking:

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