The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has directed against all but necessary travel abroad, cities and locations. This includes two key travel advisory notices: 1. If you are abroad, return to the UK as quickly as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are currently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is utterly vital Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that various 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 plan special chartered planes. These will return citizens that are currently marooned abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision firm will be employed for marooned nationals to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional details on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their destination – Due a refund or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

Entire expense of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening certainly for some consumers, but consumers can contact the company that they booked through for extra explanation.

Flights and hotel booked individually

Consumers are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a compensation/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are letting passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may extend financial reparation in conditions where other ways do not.

If consumers have arranged travel to infected regions after a notice was announced in the zone, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Consumers are advised to check the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company promptly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current happenings, many insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance plans and, in certain circumstances, have modified cover as a outcome of the coronavirus pandemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed situations, and due to the current situation, problems arising as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of care to those travellers abroad if they have cancelled a return flight. The airline ought to moreover pay for any additional charges for housing and any food vital. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the obligation of concern terminates here. It is then the duty of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stranded, they are recommended to contact the embassy in their present locality to get further help. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Travellers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a destination that the traveller chooses to journey to, and the customer picks to abandon their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Customers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation particulars and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is required or a refund due. If you feel that your consumer rights have been waived, 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 by means of an authorised booking site, then you should usually obtain a refund.

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

It is advised that for any other ticket seller, the individual company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the corporation who firstly 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 rearranged.

Rescheduled events

Original tickets should be retained until a postponed or changed date is announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a repayment can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may be different, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Patrons choosing not to be there – If patrons decide not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still taking place, there is little possibility of getting money back.

Cinema closings

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

A few of the greater franchises with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly charges will continue, with a view to offering the ‘time back’ once service resumes as normal. Others are advising that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Consumers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Claiming back hotel and travel charges

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

Individual terms and conditions may alter, but options may be offered to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

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

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the coronavirus outbreak. If the venue or company offering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be organised for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be checked for whatever that can be retrieved back. If it is the customer, or individual who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or postpone the event, then some charges might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around postponing the event is key.

For whatever that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be reimbursed, the organiser should outline in detail the cause why a refund is not conceivable, consisting 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 consumers for orders made on credit cards in excess of £100. This makes the credit card company ‘joint and severally’ liable 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, buyers can contact their bank and attempt to make a claim through the ‘chargeback scheme’. This cannot be enforced 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 couple of delivery firms have proclaimed delays on non-essential items for delivering medical supplies and necessary goods. For additional info on orders placed or delays experienced, the firm delivering the products should be the first point of contact.

We have explained the important consumer rights legislation that applies in different circumstances listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

When purchasing products from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and durable)
• As the agentexplained
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Perfect for the purpose told to the trader

When requesting for replacement or repair within first thirty days, then the consumer enters the wait period with the remainder of the 30 days (minimum of 7 days) resuming after repair or replacement.

Buyers who believe that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their products and have passed the initial thirty days after  purchase, might be eligible for repair/replacement which is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within realistic timescale
• Without resulting in significant trouble

In case a repair or replacement isn’t possible then they might rather be entitled to:

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

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is bought from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the goods must go with the explanation given by the seller. This comprises:

• Any description in an advert
• Any description given in an e-mail or text message
Any description during discussions over the phone or personally

If the purchaser thinks that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they might be entitled to;

• A complete reimbursement if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and fault observed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between the amount that was paid and what the goods are worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to prove that the goods do not go with the sellers description, which can be tough if the description was delivered orally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules regarding refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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

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 booked a trip that is not needed or have planned travel to a annulled event should call the travel provider for more details on their individual terms, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has suggested that every person in a foreign land must return to the United Kingdom, several are still stuck without any means to get back home.

The Government has adopted measures such as especially chartered flights to help get citizens home, but this might take some time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of recommendation about what those people who are trapped abroad should do.

If someone has or feels they are infected by coronavirus

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

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally 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 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 get in touch with 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end soon

If a visa is coming to an end, the measures mandatory will depend on the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If unsure, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be read by checking out:

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 information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If an affordable flight home cannot be booked

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

People with travel insurance should contact their provider as the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel can also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

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

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to those trapped to pay for coming back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the option for those stuck to contact their employer and ask for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can even provide financial aid in some situations. Additional info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those trapped do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical supplies

The UK Government has promised to ensuring that British citizens abroad have access to housing, medical essentials, food and water.

If cash runs out whilst stuck abroad, The UK Government can even provide financial assistance in some situations. Additional details can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger has to care for a relative back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign land, they must make sure that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If somebody else is looking after this person, they could be requested to carry on to do this till they return to the UK.

They may request friends or family to look after this person till they return back.

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

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

If they are employed, they should be in touch with their manager wherever possible to keep them updated 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 abroad

The trapped person will still get Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are abroad for up to a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each one is payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign country.

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

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments whilst abroad can be answered 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