The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but important travel abroad, towns and locations. This comprises two main travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as quickly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign land except if it is absolutely vital Several airlines are now announcing cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the announcement that several countries are putting into effect ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has declared a partnership with airlines to plan special chartered flights. These will bring back citizens that are presently stuck abroad. More information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies and all British high commissions. A committed travel administration company will be utilized for stranded nationals to book and pay for the flight back home.

More information on travelling abroad and present government recommendations are accessible 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 another date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights as part of a holiday package

Whole cost of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some patrons, but patrons can contact the company that they booked through for further explanation.

Flights and hotel reserved separately

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

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are urged to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have taken out. These may payout financial reparation in circumstances where other means do not.

If patrons have planned travel to infected zones after a caution was published in the zone, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are recommended to ensure the specifics of their insurance policies and if at all unsure, contact their insurance company directly for extra information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, various insurance companies have terminated selling new travel insurance policies and, in some situations, have modified cover as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has declared that travel insurance is a product meant to be utilized in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, problems surfacing as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of worry to those customers abroad if they have stopped a return flight. The airline should furthermore pay for any further expenses for stay and any food essential. For those patrons who have taken a refund, then the obligation of worry ends here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to coordinate travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel trapped, they are advised to contact the embassy in their current location to get further help. Detailed embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching depending on your destination.

Travellers choosing to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no caution published in regard to a destination that the traveller selects to travel to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no certain right to reimbursement.

Consumers are urged to verify policy and booking approval details and to contact their insurance/travel provider if explanation is necessary or a repayment due. If you feel that your customer rights have been violated, 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 by means of an official booking site, then you ought to normally receive a reimbursement.

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

It is recommended that for any other ticket merchant, the specific company terms and conditions are referred. For resale sites and other events, the company who firstly sold the tickets should be contacted in the first instance to request refunds. There may also be the possibility 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 announced. If there is an problem with the date that the event or concert has been moved to is not fitting, then a refund can be asked for via the original booking company.

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

Individual events may differ, depending on the terms and conditions of the planner.

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

Cinema closures

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

A few of the larger groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are advising that monthly payments will carry on, with a view to giving the ‘time back’ once service recommences as normal. Others are recommending that they will be stopping payments for memberships. Customers are recommended to watch on the websites and social media updates from the cinema that they have booked through.

Getting 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 each of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Individual terms and conditions may differ, but possibilities may be advanced to postpone or rebook on an alternative date due to recent conditions.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incompetent to offer the amenity due to the coronavirus pandemic, then a repayment should be paid. Reservations for weddings and special occasions

Marriages and special occasions could probably be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the venue or company catering the service or arranging cancels, then a refund should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is wishing to cancel or reschedule the event, then some fees may apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is key.

For everything that has already been paid in terms of deposits that cannot be repaid, the organiser should outline in detail the reason why a repayment is not possible, consisting any costs they have incurred that are being passed on to the customer.

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 service or product that has been paid for cannot be provided.

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 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 unchanged throughout the coronavirus crisis. Some delivery firms have announced delays on unnecessary items for delivering medical supplies and necessary items. For more information on orders already placed or delays experienced, the business delivering the items must be the initial contact point.

We have detailed the main consumer rights legislation that is applicable in different circumstances listed below.

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

Consumer Rights Act 2015 – Faulty Goods – Repair or Replace

While purchasing merchandise from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any defects / damage and durable)
• As the sellermentioned
• The same as any sample shown
• Exactly like any model shown  Right for the purpose made known to the dealer

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

Consumers who think that  any of the above do not fit for their goods and have passed the first 30 days after  purchase, may be eligible for repair or replacement which is –

• Free of charge
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within practical time frame
• Without leading to considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the products for a lesser rate
• Return the items for a repayment (complete refund in six months or perhaps 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 covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the products must suit the description provided by the seller. This incorporates:

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

If the buyer feels that the products do not go with the seller’s description, then they can be entitled to;

• A total refund if the items have not been accepted (not used and issue observed quickly)
• Loss – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are worth

The trouble of proof is on the customer to prove that the items do not match the sellers description, that can be hard if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel companies have different rules regarding re-payments of tickets impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on numerous train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly because of the situation, and an administration fee may be imposed, depending upon the type of ticket.

A useful guide to refunds that are available from Scotrail can be seen here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds Those people who have planned a trip that is no longer needed or have booked travel to a annulled event should contact the travel provider for more details on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has Informed that everyone in a foreign land should come back to the UK, several are yet trapped with no way to get back home.

The Government has taken steps such as especially chartered planes to enable bring citizens home, however this might take some time. Meanwhile, they have made several recommendation regarding what those people who are trapped abroad must do.

If somebody has or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the customer is residing will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone suffers, or feels that they are infected by, coronavirus. Also, the resident should seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are generally displayed when a person is suffering from 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 more information on embassies, or to locate the closest one in your area, please call on 0207 008 1500, or simply visit:

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

If a visa is coming to an end quickly

If a visa is expiring, the measures required will depend upon the location that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, check out the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by checking out:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

In addition, the local embassy or consulate can be used to get in touch with the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please contact 0207 008 1500, or simply check out:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

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

Those people having travel insurance must contact their service provider because the cover will be extended by 60 days if those travelling are making every effort to go back home. Those who cannot afford travel could also check if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who find themselves trapped should also keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel companies.

It is essential to contact friends and family to ensure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they might transfer cash to those people stranded to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / financial support

There is also the option for those stranded to contact their manager and request for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can even offer financial help in a few situations. More info can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or people trapped don’t have somewhere to stay, 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, food and water.

If money runs out whilst trapped in a foreign land, The UK Government can even offer financial aid in certain situations. Additional information can be read on www.gov.uk.

If the stranded passenger needs to care for a relative back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded in a foreign country, they must ascertain that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be requested to continue to do this until they return back to the UK.

They may request friends or family to take care of this person till they come back.

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

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

If they are working, they must keep in contact with their manager wherever possible to keep them informed on their condition.

If they are doing a job, they can however be furloughed under the job retention scheme. If they are self-employed, they can request for for the self-employment income support scheme.

Benefits or state pension while stranded 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 4 weeks.

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

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

Any queries or concerns about 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 clicking:

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