The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but essential travel to foreign countries, cities and locations. This comprises two main travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land unless it is utterly vital Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will return nationals that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be used for stranded citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional information on going abroad and current government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their destination – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Entire cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening inevitably for some patrons, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Patrons are advised to contact their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Many airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial compensation in conditions where other ways do not.

If customers have arranged travel to infected areas after a caution was announced in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Patrons are urged to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent happenings, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented situations, and owing to the present situation, concerns surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those passengers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any additional expenses for accommodation and any food vital. For those patrons who have received a repayment, then the obligation of concern ends here. It is then the duty of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more support. Detailed 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 warning issued in relation to a country that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to certify policy and booking confirmation details 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 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 association and as such, compel firms listed with them to reimburse the ticket’s face value amount when an event is cancelled. This does not include the charges incurred for delivery.

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the specific company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to ask for reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rearranged or revised date is revealed. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a reimbursement can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may vary, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers wishing not to attend – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is not much likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Several of the greater film chains have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, repayments 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 payments will continue, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service resumes as regular. Others are instructing that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus outbreak 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 reimbursements.

Specific terms and conditions may alter, but options may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current circumstances.

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

Weddings and special events could possibly be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company providing the ceremony or managing 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 anything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around postponing the event is key.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, 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 consumers for purchases 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 delivered.

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 enforced 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 and logistical companies have declared delays on avoidable goods in favour of transporting medical items and necessary items. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items should be the very first contact point.

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

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing merchandise from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

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

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

Purchasers who think that  any of the above don’t fit for their items and have exceeded the first thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the merchandise for a lesser price
• Return the products for a repayment (total repayment in six months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is purchased from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during chats on the phone or face to face

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

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and problem seen immediately)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the items are worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the goods don’t match the sellers description, that can be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different guidelines regarding reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed a little due to the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending upon 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 booked travel which is no longer required or have booked travel to a cancelled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for more details on their individual terms, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign land must return back to the UK, several are yet stranded with no means to get home.

The Government has taken measures such as specially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this may take some time. For the timebeing, they have made numerous suggestions about what people who are trapped in a foreign country should do.

If somebody has or feels they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and nation in which the customer is residing will give suggestion and help on what to do if someone has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally shown when a person is suffering from 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 finds themselves can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional information on transport home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance should contact their provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who cannot afford travel may also check if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those people trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the choice for those stuck to get in touch with their manager and request for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial aid in certain circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or people stuck do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign land, The UK Government can also offer monetary aid in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to take care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They could request family or friends to take care of this person till they return.

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

If the stranded passenger has pressure about their employment or self-employment

If they are working, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them updated on 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 make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension while stuck in a foreign country

The trapped passenger 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, each person is payable for thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign country.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign land can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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