The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel abroad, cities and locations. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are in a foreign country, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land unless it is absolutely vital Many airlines are now stating terminations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the announcement that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back nationals that are currently stuck abroad. More information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel supervision company will be utilized for stuck residents to book and pay for the flight back home.

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

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a holiday package

Entire cost of the holiday will be repaid. This is happening inevitably for some customers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they booked through for extra clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are suggested to call their hotels, requesting a repayment/adjustment in dates. Several airlines are letting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Consumers are urged to certify the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may extend financial reimbursement in conditions where other means do not.

If patrons have planned travel to affected zones after a caution was issued in the region, then there is a risk that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are urged to check the particulars 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, several insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in several conditions, have modified cover as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unprecedented situations, and due to the current condition, concerns arising as a consequence of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no means of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those customers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further costs for housing and any food required. For those patrons who have taken a refund, then the responsibility of concern ends here. It is then the obligation of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In situations where neither of the above is possible, or where customers feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to get more assistance. Individual embassy locations can be obtained 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 caution released in relation to a destination that the consumer picks to journey to, and the traveller chooses to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Travellers are advised to certify policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if clarification is required or a reimbursement due. If you feel 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 reserved through an authorised booking site, then you ought to usually receive a refund.

The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) is the industry’s self-regulatory body and as such, require firms enlisted 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 suggested that for any other ticket merchant, the individual company terms and conditions are checked. For resale sites and other events, the business who formerly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first case to request reimbursements. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being postponed.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or altered date is declared. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is not fitting, then a repayment can be requested through the original booking company.

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

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

Consumers choosing not to attend – If patrons choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little chance of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Quiet a few of the big cinema groups have announced that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further notice. For customers who have already bought tickets, refunds or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly fees will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once facilities restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Customers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media informs from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming 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 establishments for every one of these should be contacted for more information on refunds.

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be proposed to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is unable to offer the service due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a repayment should be paid. Deposits for weddings and special occasions

Weddings and special functions could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue catering the ceremony or organising cancels, then a repayment should be prepared for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding protection, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the customer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around delaying the event is vital.

For whatever that has previously been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should define in detail the cause why a reimbursement is not probable, including any costs they have sustained that are being passed on to the consumer.

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects buyers 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 entertained.

For purchases under £100 made on a credit card, or those made on a debit card, clients can get in touch with their bank and try and 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 the same during the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of delivery and logistical companies have announced delays on unnecessary items in favour of delivering medical items and essential goods. For extra details on orders placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items must be the first contact point.

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

Nonetheless, a more comprehensive guide to consumer rights, including 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 purchasing products from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of nice quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellerdepited
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the purpose told to the dealer

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

Purchasers who believe that  any of the above do not apply to their goods and have passed the first thirty days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair or replacement that is –

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

If a repair/replacement isn’t possible then they may rather be allowed to:

• Keep the items for a reduced rate
• Return back the goods for a repayment (total refund in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

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

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during discussions over the call or in person

If the customer feels that the items don’t match the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A full re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue observed instantly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are truly worth

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

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines about reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are providing refunds on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a bit because of the circumstances, and an administration charge may apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A helpful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have booked travel that is not essential or have planned travel to a annulled event should contact the travel service for more information on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund guidelines.

Though the Government has Informed that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the United Kingdom, several are yet trapped without any way to come back home.

The Government has adopted measures such as specially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made several suggestions about what people who are stranded in a foreign country must do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will provide suggestion and assistance on what to do if someone suffers, or believes that they have, coronavirus. Additionally, the citizen should take medical help and self-quarantine.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are normally displayed when a person is infected by coronavirus. This is available 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 stays can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For additional information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or alternatively click:

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

If a visa is expiring soon

If a visa is expiring, the actions mandatory will depend upon the location that the UK citizen is located. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found 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 info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or otherwise click:

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

If a reasonably priced flight home cannot be booked

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more information on transport home. They may be able to delay or waive payment for the trip home.

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

UK citizens who are stranded must even keep themselves informed on the announcements from local travel firms.

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 might transfer cash to those people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary assistance

There is even the choice for those trapped to get in touch with their manager and request for an advance of their salary to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

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

If money runs out whilst stuck in a foreign country, The UK Government can as well provide financial help in certain situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should ensure that anybody they are a carer for is seen well. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this till they fly back to the UK.

They could ask friends or family to look after this person until they come back.

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

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

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

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.

Perks or state pension while stranded in a foreign land

The stranded person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign land for around one 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 despite how long the citizen stays in a foreign country.

Any queries or concerns about benefit payments whilst 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 checking out:

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