The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel abroad, towns and regions. This entails two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad unless it is absolutely vital Various airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that various countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are presently marooned abroad. Further information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel management company will be used for stranded nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

More information on going abroad and existing government advices are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a compensation or, in some cases, the possibility to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Whole cost of the holiday will be compensated. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/change in dates. Various airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are recommended to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial compensation in conditions where other ways do not.

If consumers have organised travel to affected regions after a warning was announced in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are recommended to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain situations, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed conditions, and owing to the present situation, concerns surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those customers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any further costs for housing and any food essential. For those patrons who have received a repayment, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In situations where none of the above is probable, or where patrons feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more support. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice issued in regard to a destination that the customer picks to journey to, and the consumer picks to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you think that your customer rights have been breached, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and guidance.

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 genrally obtain a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket retailer, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance 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 rescheduled or changed date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is unsuitable, then a repayment can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Patrons choosing not to be there – If customers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Numerous of the greater cinema chains have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service restarts as normal. Others are advising that they will be resting payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and there have been costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the businesses for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be proposed to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a reimbursement should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special occasions could possibly be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is key.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not possible, including 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’ responsible when a product or service 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 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 the same throughout the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery companies have declared delays on avoidable goods in favour of shipping medical supplies and necessary products. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items must be the first contact point.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in different situations below.

Nevertheless, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While buying goods from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the dealertold
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the seller

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

Buyers who believe that  any of the above do not fit for their products and have passed the first thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair or replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without causing significant inconvenience

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they may instead be entitled to:

• Keep the goods for a lower rate
• Return the products for a reimbursement (complete repayment within six months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must suit the explanation provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text
Any description during chats over the call or in person

If the customer thinks that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A full refund if the items have not been accepted (not used and fault seen instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs 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 products don’t match the sellers description, which might be difficult if the description was delivered in words.

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

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

A useful guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned travel which is no longer necessary or have planned travel to a annulled event should get in touch with the travel service for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that every person in a foreign land should come back to the United Kingdom, many are still stranded with no way to come back home.

The Government has implemented measures like specially chartered flights to enable bring citizens home, however this may take time. For now, they have made several recommendation about what those people who are stranded in a foreign land need to do.

If someone suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The 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. Also, the resident should take medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on signs that are typically shown when somebody 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 region where the UK citizen stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply click:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory 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 read 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 information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more details on going back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

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

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

It is important to contact friends and family to make sure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer money to those stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / monetary assistance

There is even the option for those stuck to get in touch with their boss and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial assistance in a few circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash runs out whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary assistance in certain situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to take care for a relative back in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they should make sure that anybody 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 return back to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them informed on their situation.

If they are working, they can still be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped passenger will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around 4 weeks.

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

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or checking out:

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