The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign countries, cities and areas. This comprises two key travel recommended notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as shortly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is totally essential Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the declaration that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restriction of movement to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a collaboration with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are currently marooned abroad. Further information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel management firm will be utilized for stuck citizens to reserve and pay for the flight back home.

Further info on going abroad and existing government recommendations are accessible at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to travel to their destination – Entitled to a compensation or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Consumers are advised to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a repayment/adjustment in dates. Many airlines are allowing travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to certify the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reimbursement in situations where other ways do not.

If customers have organised travel to affected regions after a warning was announced in the zone, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are urged to verify the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, several insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in certain circumstances, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented circumstances, and owing to the existing condition, issues surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no means of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a duty of care to those travellers overseas if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to also pay for any extra costs for accommodation and any food vital. For those consumers who have received a repayment, then the duty of care terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In conditions where none of the above is probable, or where patrons feel stranded, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their present location to obtain further assistance. Detailed embassy locations can be found by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution issued in relation to a destination that the traveller picks to go to, and the traveller selects to call off their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Consumers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a reimbursement due. If you think that your consumer rights have been violated, you can contact consumeradvice.scot for more information and assistance.

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 by means of an official booking site, then you ought to genrally obtain a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, require firms registered with them to repay the ticket’s face value price when an event is cancelled. This does not include the costs incurred for delivery.

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

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or revised date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been to is incompatible, then a reimbursement can be requested via the original booking company.

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

Certain events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema closings

Quiet a few of the big cinema franchises have declared that they will be terminating all their screens in the UK until further notice. For patrons who have already gotten tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are offered.

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are recommending that monthly charges will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as usual. Others are advising that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are advised to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Specific terms and conditions may vary, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to deliver the facility due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for marriages and special functions

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for anything that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has reserved the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is key.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the coordinator should outline in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, consisting any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the buyer.

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’ accountable when a product or service 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 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 pandemic. A few delivery companies have declared delays on non-essential products in favour of delivering medical supplies and necessary products. For additional details on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the items should be the very first contact point.

We have outlined the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in various situations mentioned below.

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

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

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

Purchasers who think that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their goods and have exceeded the initial 30 days after  purchase, may be entitled to repair/replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be lasting
• Replacement should be same
• Within practical time frame
• Without resulting in considerable problem

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

• Keep the products for a lesser price
• Return back the merchandise for a repayment (complete reimbursement within 6 months or perhaps partial refund 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 goods must match the description given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an email or text
Any description during chats over the call or personally

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

• A complete reimbursement if the items have not been accepted (not used and fault seen instantly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to cover repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the products are truly worth

The burden of proof is on the customer to confirmverify that the goods don’t go with the sellers description, which can be difficult if the description was delivered orally.

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

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly due to the situation, and an administration fee might be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A helpful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those who have booked travel that is not necessary or have planned travel to a cancelled function should get in touch with the travel provider for additional details on their individual terms, including refund guidelines.

Though the Government has recommended that everyone in a foreign country should come back to the United Kingdom, a lot are yet stuck with no way to come back home.

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

If somebody suffers or thinks they have coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and guidance on what to do if somebody suffers, or thinks that they have, coronavirus. Also, the resident must take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are typically revealed when someone 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 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 visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If uncertain, check out the travel advice for that country 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 additional details on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a inexpensive flight home cannot be booked

The travel company must be contacted in the first instance for additional details on going back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip to home town.

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 effort to return home. People who can’t afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel companies.

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe. If possible, they might transfer money to those stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & perks / financial assistance

There is also the option for those stuck to contact their manager and ask for an advance of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer monetary assistance in some circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or people stuck do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can even provide monetary aid in some circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they must ascertain that anybody they are taking care of is seen well. If somebody else is looking after this person, they may be asked to continue to do this till they come back to the UK.

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

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

If the stranded passenger has tension about their employment or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they must keep in contact with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed about their situation.

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.

Perks or state pension while stuck in a foreign country

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to one 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 despite how long the citizen stays abroad.

Any questions or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign country can be responed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be got in touch with by calling or clicking:

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