The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but essential travel to foreign land, cities and areas. This includes 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 unless it is utterly indispensible Various airlines are now declaring cessations of flights and the grounding of aircraft after the revelation that various countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will bring back residents that are presently stuck abroad. Further information will be issued by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A devoted travel administration firm will be used for marooned nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

Additional information on travelling abroad and existing government recommendations are available at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their region – Due a repayment or, in some cases, the option to rebook for some other date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a package holiday

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

Hotel and Flights booked individually

Patrons are recommended to get in touch with their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are advised to check the details of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may offer financial reimbursement in conditions where other ways do not.

If patrons have organised travel to infected zones after a caution was announced in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for further information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, many insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have altered cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unprecedented situations, and owing to the existing circumstances, problems surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer considered ‘unforeseen’.

Already in a foreign country and no channels of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those passengers in a foreign country if they have terminated a return flight. The airline must also pay for any further costs for stay and any food vital. For those patrons who have accepted a reimbursement, then the responsibility of worry ends here. It is then the duty of the passenger to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is probable, or where patrons feel stuck, they are instructed to contact the embassy in their current 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 wanting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution released in regard to a destination that the traveller picks to go to, and the traveller picks to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to reimbursement.

Consumers are insisted to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is wanted or a repayment due. If you feel that your customer 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 via an certified booking site, then you must normally obtain a reimbursement.

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 cost when an event is cancelled. This does not include the fee paid for delivery.

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the particular company terms and conditions are consulted. For resale sites and other events, the business 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 rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be held until a rearranged or changed date is revealed. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a repayment can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Specific events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the organiser.

Consumers choosing not to be there – If consumers choose not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is little likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema cessations

Several of the larger film groups have announced that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further announcement. For patrons who have already bought tickets, repayments 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 recommending that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service restarts as normal. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are advised to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel charges

If an event is cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak 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.

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

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

Marriages and special occasions could potentially be affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the ceremony or managing cancels, then a reimbursement should be prepared for whatever has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be consulted for anything that can be claimed back. If it is the consumer, or individual who has booked the event that is deciding to cancel or postpone the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the organiser around rescheduling the event is vital.

For anything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the planner should define in detail the cause why a repayment is not conceivable, 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 purchases 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 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 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 crisis. A couple of delivery and logistical companies have announced delays on uneeded items for shipping medical supplies and necessary products. For additional information on orders placed or delays experienced, the company delivering the goods should be the very first contact point.

We have outlined the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in different situations listed below.

, a complete 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 purchasing merchandise from a agent, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of satisfactory quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the traderdescribed
• Just like any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose explained to the trader

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

Customers who think that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their items and have passed the initial thirty days after  purchase, may be entitled to repair/replacement that is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without causing considerable inconvenience

If a replacement or repair is not possible then they may rather be allowed to:

• Keep the goods for a lower rate
• Return the goods for a repayment (total refund within six months or perhaps partial repayment after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the consumer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which states the merchandise must go with the explanation provided by the seller. This includes:

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

If the buyer thinks that the goods do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be eligible for;

• A complete re-payment if the products haven’t been accepted (not used and issue noted quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for mending or the difference between what was paid and what the products are actually worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the products do not go with the sellers description, which might be tough if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel companies have different guidelines regarding refunds of tickets affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are providing reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed slightly because of the situation, and an administration fee might apply, depending upon the ticket type.

A useful 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 no longer essential or have planned travel to a cancelled occasion should contact the travel provider for more info on their individual terms and conditions, along with refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that every person abroad should come back to the United Kingdom, several are still stranded with no means to come back home.

The Government has implemented measures such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, but this might take time. For the timebeing, they have made a lot of recommendation regarding what those stuck abroad must do.

If somebody suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

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

The NHS have put together a guide on symptoms that are generally revealed when someone 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 contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead check out:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the actions necessary will depend upon the area that the UK citizen finds themselves. If doubtful, check out 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

Additionally, 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 simply click:

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

If a reasonably priced air flight to home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted at teh first place for more details on transport home. They might delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

People with travel insurance should contact their provider because the cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every single effort to go back home. People who can’t afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who are stuck should even keep themselves informed on the messages from local travel firms.

It is vital to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everyone in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer cash to those stuck to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / financial assistance

There is also the choice for those trapped to contact their boss and ask for advance payment of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also offer monetary help in a few situations. More information can be read on www.gov.uk

If money is over, or those stranded do not have somewhere to stay, or access to food / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst stuck in a foreign land, The UK Government can as well offer financial help in a few circumstances. Additional information can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

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

If the citizen is stuck abroad, they should make sure that anybody they are taking care of is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they could be asked to continue to do this until they fly back to the UK.

They could ask family or friends to take care of this person till they fly back.

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

If the trapped passenger has worries about their employment or self-employment

If they are doing a job, they must keep in contact with their boss wherever possible to keep them updated on their condition.

If they are employed, they can still 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 whilst stuck in a foreign land

The trapped person will still receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit if they are in a foreign country for around a month.

In the case of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Carer’s Allowance, each person is payable for thirteen weeks while in a foreign land.

The State Pension will be paid despite how long the citizen has been in a foreign country.

Any questions or concerns about benefit payments while abroad 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