The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to foreign countries, towns and locations. This comprises two important travel advisory notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as soon as possible if commercial flights are still accessible 2. If you are presently in the UK, do not travel to foreign land except if it is totally indispensible Several airlines are now declaring cancellations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that several countries are executing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the restraint of travel to slow the spread of the virus.

The Government has announced a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered planes. These will bring back nationals that are presently stuck abroad. More information will be announced by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A devoted travel management firm will be employed for stuck citizens to book and pay for the flight home.

Further information on going abroad and present government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Patrons who are yet to travel to their destination – Owed a repayment or, in some cases, the choice to rebook for alternative date.

Flight and Holiday Cancellations

Flights being part of a package holiday

Entire amount of the holiday will be refunded. This is happening automatically for some consumers, but patrons can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Hotel and Flights reserved separately

Patrons are recommended to contact their hotels, requesting a refund/change in dates. Several airlines are allowing passengers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Customers are recommended to check the specifics of travel insurance policies that they have procured. These may offer financial compensation in situations where other means do not.

If consumers have organised travel to infected areas after a caution was published in the region, then there is a possibility that any insurance policy may be invalidated by this. Customers are urged to check the details of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company directly for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of present happenings, several insurance companies have stopped selling new travel insurance plans and, in some situations, have altered cover as a outcome of the coronavirus outbreak. The Association of British Insurers has stated that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unforeseen circumstances, and due to the present circumstances, issues surfacing as a result of coronavirus are no longer regarded ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no channels of returning back to the UK – Airlines have a obligation of care to those passengers overseas if they have terminated a return flight. The airline should also pay for any extra expenses for accommodation and any food essential. For those consumers who have received a repayment, then the duty of care ends here. It is then the obligation of the commuter to organise travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where none of the above is possible, or where patrons feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present location to seek more support. Specific embassy locations can be acquired by visiting www.gov.uk/world/embassies and searching based on your destination.

Customers opting to cancel their travel plans

If there has been no warning issued in regard to a country that the consumer chooses to travel to, and the consumer selects to abandon their plans, then there is no guaranteed right to compensation.

Consumers are urged to certify policy and booking approval particulars and to contact their insurance/travel provider if clarification is necessary or a repayment due. If you belive 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 via an certified booking site, then you ought to genrally obtain a repayment.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket seller, the specific 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 instance to ask for reimbursements. There may also be the choice to rebook at a later date if the event is being rearranged.

Postponed events

Original tickets should be kept until a rescheduled or revised date is revealed. 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 requested through the original booking company.

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

Certain events may vary, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

Consumers deciding not to show up – If customers wish not to concerts or sporting events, but the event is still going ahead, there is small likelihood of getting money back.

Cinema closures

Numerous of the big cinema groups have stated that they will be shutting all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already purchased tickets, repayments or the option to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are presented.

A few of the bigger 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 regular. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Consumers are instucted to watch on the websites and social media apprises from the cinema that they have booked through.

Obtaining back hotel and travel expenditures

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

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but possibilities may be proposed to reschedule or rebook on an alternative date due to present circumstances.

As a side note, if the hotel or travel provider is incapable to offer the facility due to the coronavirus outbreak, then a refund should be paid. Deposits for marriages and special functions

Marriages and special occasions could probably be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or arranging cancels, then a reimbursement should be organised for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding cover, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be retrieved back. If it is the consumer, or person who has booked the event that is choosing to cancel or rearrange the event, then some fees might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the planner around rescheduling the event is essential.

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

Consumer rights and useful legislation

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act protects clients 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 entertained.

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 scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights are unchanged throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Some delivery firms have announced delays on uneeded items in favour of delivering medical items and essential items. For additional details on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the products must be the initial contact point.

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

, a complete guide to consumer rights, covering 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 ordering items from a seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 states they should be:

• Of acceptable quality (free from any faults / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellermentioned
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Right for the idea explained to the trader

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

Consumers who think that  anything mentioned above don’t fit for their goods and have gone beyond the first 30 days after  ordering, can be entitled to repair/replacement that is –

• Cost-free
• Repair should be permanent
• Replacement should be exact same
• Within reasonable timescale
• Without causing considerable difficulty

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

• Keep the items for a lower rate
• Return back the merchandise for a reimbursement (complete refund within 6 months or partial refund after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

If something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is covered by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which declares the goods must match the explanation given by the seller. This incorporates:

• Any description in an advertisement
• Any description provided in an email or text
Any description during conversations over the phone call or personally

If the customer believes that the items do not go with the seller’s description, then they could be entitled to;

• A total reimbursement if the products have not been accepted (not used and defect observed immediately)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what was paid and what the goods are actually worth

The burden of proof is on the buyer to confirmverify that the products don’t go with the sellers description, that could be tough if the description was given in words.

Rail companies and travel services have different rules about reimbursements of tickets affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are giving reimbursements on several train ticket types. Their process has altered slightly due to the situation, and an administration charge might be imposed, depending upon the ticket type.

A useful guide to refunds that are provided from Scotrail can be found here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/refunds People who have planned a trip that is not essential or have booked travel to a cancelled event should get in touch with the travel provider for more info on their individual conditions, along with refund policies.

Although the Government has suggested that everybody in a foreign country must return back to the United Kingdom, many are still trapped without any means to get back home.

The Government has implemented steps such as specially chartered flights to enable get citizens home, but this may take some time. For now, they have made numerous recommendation about what people who are trapped in a foreign country need to do.

If someone suffers or thinks they are infected by coronavirus

The authorities of both the region and country in which the buyer is staying will provide suggestion and help on what to do if somebody has, or feels that they have, coronavirus. Also, the citizen should take medical assistance and self-isolate.

The NHS have put together a guide on signs that are normally revealed 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 resides can be used to contact the local authorities. For more information on embassies, or to find the closest one in your area, please contact 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 necessary will depend upon the region that the UK citizen finds themselves. If in doubt, look at the travel advice for that nation from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be found by checking out:

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

Moreover, the local embassy or consulate can be used to contact the local authorities. For more details on embassies, or to find the nearest one to you, please contact 0207 008 1500, or instead click:

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

If an affordable air flight home cannot be found

The travel company must be contacted at teh first place for more info on transport home. They may be able to 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 cannot afford travel may also see if their credit card insurance is applicable.

UK citizens who are trapped must even keep themselves updated on the notice from local travel firms.

It is vital to get in touch with family and friends to ensure they know that everyone in the party is safe. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people trapped to pay for flying back home.

Employment & perks / monetary aid

There is also the option for those stranded to contact their employer and ask for advance payment of their wages to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide financial help in a few circumstances. More information can be accessed on www.gov.uk

If money runs out, or those stranded don’t have accommodation, or access to meals / water / medical essentials

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

If cash runs out whilst stranded abroad, The UK Government can as well provide monetary help in a few circumstances. More details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for somebody back in the UK

If the citizen is stranded abroad, they should ascertain that anyone they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is looking after this person, they may be requested to carry on to do this until they return to the UK.

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

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

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

If they are employed, they must be in touch with their employer wherever possible to keep them updated about 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.

Benefits or state pension while stranded in a foreign country

The trapped passenger will still receive 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 person is payable for 13 weeks whilst in a foreign land.

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

Any queries or concerns regarding benefit payments while in a foreign land can be answered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), who can be contacted by calling or clicking:

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