The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel abroad, cities and regions. This entails two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, 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 except if it is utterly essential Various airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered planes. These will bring back citizens that are currently marooned abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A committed travel supervision company will be employed for stranded citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and present government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Due a refund or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Consumers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a repayment/change in dates. Many airlines are allowing commuters to rebook flights for free.

In conditions where the hotel and site are functioning, 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 taken out. These may payout financial reparation in situations where other measures do not.

If patrons have planned travel to affected zones after a warning was published in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Customers are recommended to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent events, various insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some conditions, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented circumstances, and due to the existing situation, problems occuring 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 travellers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further charges for stay and any food essential. For those customers who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of concern terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the passenger to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to obtain more assistance. Specific embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no notice published in regard to a destination that the traveller selects to travel to, and the traveller selects to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a reimbursement due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 by means of an official booking site, then you must genrally receive a reimbursement.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or altered date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been postponed to is unsuitable, then a repayment can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

Specific events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Customers choosing not to be there – If consumers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big cinema groups have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the choice to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service recommences as usual. Others are instructing that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

If an event is terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been expenditures incurred for hotels and travel, then the companies for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

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

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the facility due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special functions

Weddings and special events could possibly be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be checked for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around rescheduling the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the coordinator should define in detail the basis why a repayment is not possible, including any costs they have incurred 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 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, consumers can get in touch with their bank and try and 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 remain the same during the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery and logistical companies have announced delays on uneeded items in favour of delivering medical supplies and essential items. For more details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the goods should be the first contact point.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in various circumstances mentioned below.

, a complete guide to consumer rights, including 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

While buying merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellertold
• The same as any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose made known to the agent

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

Customers who feel that  any of the above don’t fit for their products and have passed the first thirty days after  ordering, might be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within realistic time frame
• Without leading to considerable problem

If a repair or replacement is not possible then they might instead be allowed to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is ordered from a private seller, the customer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description given in an email or text message
Any description during conversations on the phone call or face to face

If the customer believes that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the items have not been accepted (not used and defect observed instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are really worth

The burden of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the items don’t go with the sellers description, that can be difficult if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies about re-payments of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the circumstances, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have planned a trip that is not necessary or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should call the travel service for additional information on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Although the Government has suggested that every person abroad must come back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet trapped without any way to get home.

The Government has taken steps like especially chartered planes to help bring citizens home, but this may take time. In the meantime, they have made several recommendation regarding what those trapped in a foreign land should do.

If somebody suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the buyer is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident must seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically displayed when somebody 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 contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or alternatively 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 required will depend on the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out 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

In addition, 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 call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for additional info on going back home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

People having travel insurance should get in touch with their provider as the 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 see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is also the option for those stranded to get in touch with their boss and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in a few situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people stranded do not have accommodation, or access to food / water / medical essentials

The UK Government has promised to ensuring that British citizens abroad have access to accommodation, medical essentials, water and food.

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer financial assistance in some situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they should ensure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to take care of this person till they fly back.

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

If the trapped passenger has pressure regarding their employment or self-employment

If they are working, they must contact 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 make an application for the self-employment income support scheme.

Perks or state pension whilst trapped in a foreign country

The trapped person will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to one month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for 13 weeks while in a foreign land.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country 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