The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel abroad, towns and locations. This comprises two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as soon as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is totally vital Many airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a affiliation with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision firm will be used for marooned nationals to reserve and pay for the flight home.

Additional info on travelling abroad and present government suggestions are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Customers who are yet to fly to their destination – Owed a compensation 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 compensated. This is happening certainly for some patrons, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Hotel and Flights reserved independantly

Patrons are recommended to contact their hotels, asking for a repayment/change in dates. Several airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to make sure the details of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may payout financial reparation in conditions where other means do not.

If patrons have arranged travel to infected areas after a warning was published in the area, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be discredited by this. Patrons are advised to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company promptly for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of recent affairs, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain conditions, have changed cover as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the present condition, problems arising as a result of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any extra charges for accommodation and any food required. For those patrons who have accepted a repayment, then the duty of concern terminates here. It is then the obligation of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In conditions where neither of the above is probable, or where customers feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their current location to get more help. Individual embassy locations can be obtained by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Consumers wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in relation to a country that the customer chooses to journey to, and the traveller picks to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel 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 must genrally obtain a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket merchant, the particular company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who originally sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to ask for repayments. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or changed date is declared. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been to is unsuitable, then a repayment can be bidden via the original booking company.

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

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

Patrons deciding not to be there – If customers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is not much chance of getting money back.

Cinema closings

Numerous of the big film groups have declared that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the possibility to reschedule this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly fees will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once amenities resumes as regular. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel costs

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and there have been costs paid for hotels and travel, then the establishments for each of these should be contacted for more information on repayments.

Seperate terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be advanced to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to current situations.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to deliver the amenity due to the coronavirus epidemic, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special occasions

Weddings and special occasions could probably be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a repayment should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For everything that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should define in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not possible, comprising 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 clients 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, buyers can contact their bank and try 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 unchanged during the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery companies have announced delays on unnecessary goods for shipping medical items and essential products. For more information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the goods should be the very first contact point.

We have detailed the important consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances mentioned below.

However, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, covering different areas, is available by checking out consumeradvice.scot knowledge centre: https://www.consumeradvice.scot/knowledge-centre/

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While ordering items from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of nice quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the dealerdepited
• Just like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the purpose explained to the agent

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

Customers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their items and have gone beyond the first thirty days after  purchase, can be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within practical time frame
• Without leading to significant inconvenience

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

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

Whenever something is bought from a private seller, the customer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the merchandise must suit the explanation given by the seller. This includes:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during discussions over the phone or personally

If the buyer believes that the items do not match the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A complete refund if the products have not been accepted (not used and fault noted quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the items are worth

The burden of proof is on the client to confirmverify that the items do not go with the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was given in words.

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

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

A valuable guide to refunds that are offered from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel which is no longer required or have booked travel to a cancelled function should call the travel service for additional info on their individual terms, as well as refund policies.

Although the Government has Informed that everybody abroad should return back to the United Kingdom, many are still trapped with no way to get home.

The Government has implemented measures like especially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those trapped abroad need to do.

If somebody suffers or believes they have coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and country in which the customer is residing will provide advice and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical assistance and self-quarantine.

The NHS have come up with a guide on symptoms that are generally revealed when somebody has 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or otherwise visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, 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 contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or otherwise check out:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for more information on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance must get in touch with their provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel can also see if their credit card insurance applies.

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

It is important to contact family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer money to those people stranded to pay for coming back home.

Employment & benefits / monetary support

There is even the choice for those stranded to contact their manager and request for advance payment of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial help in certain situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those stuck do not have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If money is over whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can also provide financial help in a few situations. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped abroad, they should ensure that anyone they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they may be asked to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

They could request friends or family to take care of this person until they come back.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they can however 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 while stranded in a foreign land

The stranded passenger will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for up to 4 weeks.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each one is payable for 13 weeks while abroad.

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

Any queries or doubts regarding benefit payments while abroad can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or visiting:

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