The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This comprises two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel abroad except if it is absolutely indispensible Several airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the increase of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to arrange special chartered planes. These will return nationals that are presently marooned abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel administration company will be employed for marooned nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional info on travelling abroad and current government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Entitled to a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Complete cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some customers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to call their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reparation in conditions where other measures do not.

If consumers have planned travel to affected areas after a notice was issued in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Patrons are advised to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present affairs, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the current circumstances, problems arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of concern to those passengers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any additional expenses for accommodation and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a reimbursement, then the duty of concern ends here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is conceivable, or where consumers feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to seek further support. Individual 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 warning released in regard to a country that the customer selects to travel to, and the customer selects to call off their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are insisted to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is wanted or a repayment due. If you belive that your consumer rights have been violated, 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 usually get a repayment.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket retailer, the individual company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request repayments. There may also be the option to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a rescheduled or revised date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is unsuitable, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons choosing not to attend – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the larger cinema franchises have declared that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further communication. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the bigger chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities recommences as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel expenditures

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic and there have been expenditures paid for hotels and travel, then the businesses for all of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but choices may be proposed 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 deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a reimbursement should be paid. Bookings for weddings and special functions

Marriages and special events could possibly be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company providing the service or organising cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be claimed back. If it is the customer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is vital.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the coordinator should define in detail the cause why a refund is not conceivable, consisting any costs they have experienced that are being passed on to the customer.

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’ liable when a service or product that has been paid for cannot be provided.

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 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 are unchanged during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery and logistical firms have declared delays on unnecessary products in favour of shipping medical items and necessary items. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the company shipping the goods should be the very first point of contact.

We have detailed the key consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different circumstances listed below.

But, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different areas, is accessible by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering products from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the traderdescribed
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Fit for the idea told to the trader

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

Purchasers who think that  anything mentioned above do not apply to their products and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to repair/replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long lasting
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within realistic time frame
• Without causing considerable trouble

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they might rather be permitted to:

• Keep the merchandise for a reduced price
• Return back the products for a reimbursement (complete refund within 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must go with the description given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text
Any description during conversations over the phone call or in person

If the buyer thinks that the items don’t go with the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the items have not been accepted (not used and defect seen quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, which could be tough if the description was delivered in words.

Rail companies and travel services have different rules about refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee 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 booked a trip which is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled occasion should get in touch with the travel provider for additional info on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has suggested that everyone in a foreign country should return to the UK, several are yet stuck without any means to get back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as specially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this might take time. For now, they have made several suggestions regarding what those trapped in a foreign country must do.

If somebody has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is residing will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the resident should take medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on signs that are generally displayed when somebody 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 area where the UK citizen resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures necessary will depend on the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, check out 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 get in touch with the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively visit:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for more info on going back home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those people with travel insurance must contact their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel may even see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

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

Employment & benefits / financial aid

There is also the option for those trapped to contact their manager and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial assistance in a few situations. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those stuck do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If money is over whilst trapped in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide financial assistance in a few circumstances. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for someone in the UK

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anyone they are a carer for is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

They may ask friends or family to take care of this person until they return.

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

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

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

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

Benefits or state pension while stuck abroad

The trapped person will still attain 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, they are each payable for 13 weeks whilst abroad.

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments whilst abroad 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