The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and areas. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are currently in the UK, do not travel abroad except if it is utterly vital Various airlines are now stating cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that various countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently 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 firm will be utilized for stranded citizens to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further details on going abroad and current government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening certainly for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Customers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, asking for a compensation/modification in dates. Various airlines are letting commuters to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are advised to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in situations where other means do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected areas after a warning was issued in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are urged to ensure 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 events, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and owing to the current situation, concerns surfacing 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 care to those passengers overseas if they have stopped a return flight. The airline ought to furthermore pay for any further expenses for accommodation and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a repayment, then the obligation of concern ends here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get further assistance. Specific 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 destination that the traveller picks to journey to, and the traveller selects to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Customers are insisted to check policy and booking confirmation specifics and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a refund due. If you belive that your consumer 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 reserved via an certified booking site, then you ought to normally obtain a repayment.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, compel firms listed with them to repay the ticket’s face value amount when an event is cancelled. This does not comprise the charges incurred 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 originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request reimbursements. There may also be the possibility to rebook at a later date if the event is being rescheduled.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rearranged or revised date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a repayment can be requested via the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers deciding not to show up – If patrons wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is small chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the larger movie chains have stated that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once service recommences as regular. Others are recommending that they will be resting payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

If an event is cancelled 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 refunds.

Individual terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be offered 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 provide the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special events could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue offering the service or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be consulted for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the buyer, or person who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is vital.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should define in detail the reason why a reimbursement is not probable, comprising any costs they have sustained 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’ liable when a service or product 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 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 plan is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have declared delays on non-essential products in favour of shipping medical items and vital goods. For additional info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the products should be the initial contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is relevant in various circumstances mentioned below.

, a complete guide to consumer rights, including 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

While ordering products from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the seller

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

Customers who believe that  any of the above do not apply to their products and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  ordering, may be entitled to repair or replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical timescale
• Without resulting in significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they may instead be allowed to:

• Keep the items for a lesser rate
• Return back the goods for a repayment (complete repayment in six months or perhaps partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the products must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

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

If the purchaser believes that the goods do not match the seller’s description, then they could be eligible for;

• A total refund if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and issue noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between what was paid and what the goods are really worth

The trouble of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the goods do not go with the sellers description, which can be hard if the description was given orally.

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

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

A valuable guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned travel that is no longer required or have booked travel to a annulled occasion should call the travel provider for more info on their individual conditions, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the UK, several are yet trapped with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken measures like especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this may take some time. Meanwhile, they have made numerous suggestions regarding what people who are stranded in a foreign country need to do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the region and nation in which the buyer is residing will give advice and help on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are typically displayed when someone is suffering from coronavirus. This is available at:

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

The embassy or consulate in the area where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is expiring quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen is located. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by checking out:

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

Additionally, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more info on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a reasonably priced flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more details on transport home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip to home town.

Those people having travel insurance must get in touch with their provider as the insurance cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stranded should also keep themselves informed on the notice from local travel companies.

It is vital to contact family and friends to ensure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer cash to those stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial aid in a few situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or people stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can also provide financial assistance in some circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they must make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this until they come back to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to look after this person until they return back.

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

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

If they are working, they must contact their employer wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

If they are doing a job, 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.

Benefits or state pension while stranded abroad

The trapped passenger will still receive 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 person is payable for thirteen weeks whilst in a foreign country.

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

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered 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