The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but necessary travel to foreign countries, towns and regions. This comprises two important 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, do not travel to foreign countries unless it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now declaring terminations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of travel to lower the increase of the virus.

The Government has announced a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will return citizens that are currently stranded abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel management company will be utilized for stranded nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Further details on travelling abroad and current government advices are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to travel to their region – Due a refund or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening certainly for some customers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for further clarification.

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Patrons are advised to call their hotels, asking for a compensation/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are urged to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reparation in circumstances where other measures do not.

If customers have planned travel to affected areas after a warning was issued in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all doubtful, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current events, many insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain conditions, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented situations, and due to the existing situation, issues occuring as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of worry to those customers abroad if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must moreover pay for any extra expenses for stay and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a refund, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the duty of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is possible, or where consumers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get further help. Specific embassy locations can be acquired 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 published in relation to a destination that the customer picks to go to, and the consumer chooses to cancel their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to repayment.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a refund 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 booked through an authorised booking site, then you must normally receive a reimbursement.

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

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a rescheduled or changed date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a reimbursement can be bidden 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, depending on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers deciding not to show up – If customers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still carrying on, there is small possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Several of the greater cinema chains have announced that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For consumers who have already purchased tickets, refunds or the possibility to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater chains with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as normal. Others are instructing 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.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

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

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be offered 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 offer the service due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special occasions

Weddings and special events could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company providing the ceremony or organising cancels, then a repayment should be prepared 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 customer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some costs may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the coordinator should define in detail the basis why a refund is not probable, comprising any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the customer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects consumers for orders 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, consumers can get in touch with their bank and attempt to 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 are unaffected during the coronavirus crisis. A few delivery and logistical firms have declared delays on non-essential items for transporting medical supplies and necessary products. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the business shipping the goods should be the very first point of contact.

We have outlined the important consumer rights legislation that applies in different situations below.

, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering different aspects, is available by browsing consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When ordering items from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the dealer

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

Customers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t apply to their goods and have passed the first 30 days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be long term
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable time frame
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

In case a repair/replacement is not possible then they might instead be entitled to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If 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 incorporates:

• Any description in an ad
• Any description provided in an e-mail or text message
Any description during conversations over the phone or personally

If the purchaser feels that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A total refund if the goods have not been accepted (not used and fault observed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the goods are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the products do not go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was given orally.

Rail companies and travel providers have different policies about refunds of tickets impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered a bit because of the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A useful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is no longer necessary or have booked travel to a annulled function should get in touch with the travel service for more info on their individual conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign country must return back to the UK, a lot are yet trapped without any way to get home.

The Government has adopted steps like especially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, but this might take time. Meanwhile, they have made several suggestions about what people who are stuck in a foreign land should do.

If someone suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is residing will provide advice and help on what to do if somebody suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen must seek medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are generally 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 region where the UK citizen resides can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise 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 upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that country 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 contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight to home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for more info on flying back home. They may delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance should contact their provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is essential to contact friends and family to ensure they know that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / financial aid

There is even the option for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary aid in a few circumstances. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

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

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

If cash runs out whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can also offer financial assistance in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck in a foreign country, they must make sure that anyone they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

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

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

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

If they are working, 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.

Perks or state pension while stuck in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still attain Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, they are each 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 country.

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments whilst in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or checking out:

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