The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel abroad, towns and locations. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is totally vital Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of movement to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back residents that are presently stuck abroad. Additional information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be employed for marooned citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further information on travelling abroad and current government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their region – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Entire amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some customers, but consumers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Hotel and Flights booked separately

Consumers are advised to contact their hotels, requesting a repayment/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting passengers to rebook flights for free.

In conditions 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 specifics of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reimbursement in conditions where other measures do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to affected regions after a notice was issued in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Consumers are advised to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in some conditions, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and owing to the present circumstances, issues surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already overseas and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those travellers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any extra costs for housing and any food required. For those consumers who have taken a refund, then the duty of concern finishes here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stuck, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current locality to seek more 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 notice issued in relation to a country that the traveller chooses to travel to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no certain right to repayment.

Consumers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is wanted or a reimbursement due. If you feel that your customer 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 through an certified booking site, then you ought to usually obtain a reimbursement.

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

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

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rescheduled or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is incompatible, then a repayment can be asked for through the original booking company.

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

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

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

Cinema closures

Numerous of the big film groups have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

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

Getting back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but choices may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present conditions.

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

Weddings and special functions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the buyer, or individual who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the coordinator should define in detail the cause why a refund is not conceivable, including any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the buyer.

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’ accountable 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, buyers can contact 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 the same throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery firms have proclaimed delays on unnecessary items for transporting medical supplies and essential goods. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the products should be the first point of contact.

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

, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including different aspects, 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 buying merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the tradermentioned
• Exactly like any sample shown
• Just like any model shown  Perfect for the idea told to the dealer

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

Purchasers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their products and have passed the initial thirty days after  ordering, might be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without causing considerable problem

In case a repair or replacement is not possible then they may rather be permitted to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

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

If the customer thinks that the products don’t match the seller’s description, then they may be eligible for;

• A total reimbursement if the items haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noted instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the items are worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the products don’t match the sellers description, that might be hard if the description was given verbally.

Rail companies and travel services have different rules about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are offering refunds on several train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit due to the situation, and an administration charge may be imposed, depending on the type of ticket.

A valuable guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned travel that is no longer required or have booked travel to a cancelled function should get in touch with the travel service for additional info on their individual conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that everyone in a foreign country should return to the United Kingdom, several are yet stuck with no way to get back home.

The Government has implemented measures like specially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take some time. In the meantime, they have made a lot of recommendation about what people who are stranded in a foreign country should do.

If someone has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is staying will give advice and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally displayed when a person has 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 additional information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

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

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 info on embassies, or to find the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more information on flying back home. They might delay or waive payment for the trip home.

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

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

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

Employment & perks / monetary support

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer financial help in a few circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If cash is over, or those stranded don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash runs out whilst trapped abroad, The UK Government can as well offer monetary aid in a few situations. More info can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger has to care for somebody in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they must make sure that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be requested to continue to do this until they return back to the UK.

They may ask family or friends to take care of this person till they come back.

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

If the stranded passenger has worries about their job or self-employment

If they are working, they should be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

If they are employed, 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.

Benefits or state pension whilst trapped 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 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 abroad.

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

Any queries or doubts about benefit payments whilst in a foreign country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or visiting:

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