The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has suggested against all but important travel abroad, cities and locations. This comprises two important travel recommended notices: 1. If you are overseas, return to the UK as shortly as as you possibly can if commercial flights are still open 2. If you are presently in the UK, don’t travel to foreign countries except if it is absolutely vital Several airlines are now announcing cessations of flights and the stalling of aircraft after the revelation that many countries are implementing ‘lockdown’ of borders and the constraint of travel to lower the spread of the virus.

The Government has proclaimed a affiliation with airlines to organise special chartered flights. These will return residents that are presently marooned abroad. Additional information will be released by the government’s travel advice, all British embassies as well as all British high commissions. A dedicated travel supervision firm will be employed for marooned residents to book and pay for the flight home.

Additional details on going abroad and existing government suggestions are offered at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice Consumers who are yet to fly to their region – Owed a repayment 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 automatically for some consumers, but customers can get in touch with the company that they made reservations through for additional clarification.

Flights and hotel booked independantly

Customers are suggested to contact their hotels, asking for a compensation/adjustment in dates. Various airlines are permitting travellers to rebook flights for free.

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

Travel Insurance policies

Patrons are recommended to make sure the particulars of travel insurance policies that they have bought. These may extend financial reparation in situations where other means do not.

If customers have organised travel to affected areas after a notice was announced in the region, then there is a chance that any insurance policy may be nullified by this. Customers are advised to ensure the particulars of their insurance policies and if at all uncertain, contact their insurance company straight for more information.

New travel insurance policies

In light of current affairs, various insurance companies have ceased selling new travel insurance plans and, in several circumstances, have changed cover as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. The Association of British Insurers has affirmed that travel insurance is a product meant to be used in unexpecteed circumstances, and due to the present condition, problems occuring as a outcome of coronavirus are no longer deemed ‘unforeseen’.

Already abroad and no meathods of getting back to the UK – Airlines have a responsibility of concern to those travellers in a foreign country if they have stopped a return flight. The airline must furthermore pay for any extra costs for accommodation and any food vital. For those consumers who have accepted a repayment, then the responsibility of worry terminates here. It is then the responsibility of the traveller to arrange travel back to the UK.

In circumstances where neither of the above is conceivable, or where customers feel stranded, they are advised to contact the embassy in their present locality to obtain additional assistance. Specific embassy locations can be found 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 relation to a country that the consumer picks to travel to, and the customer picks to cancel their plans, then there is no automatic right to repayment.

Travellers are urged to check policy and booking confirmation details and to contact their insurance/travel source if explanation is necessary or a refund 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 authorised booking site, then you should normally obtain a reimbursement.

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

It is suggested that for any other ticket retailer, 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 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 held until a postponed or changed date is announced. If there is an issue with the date that the event or concert has been pushed to is unsuitable, then a reimbursement can be bidden through the original booking company.

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

Individual events may differ, contingent on the terms and conditions of the coordinator.

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

Cinema closings

Several of the greater movie franchises have stated that they will be closing all their screens in the UK until further communication. For customers who have already gotten tickets, repayments or the choice to postpone this to a later date (if possible) are available.

A few of the greater groups with loyalty cards and monthly membership are instructing that monthly payments will resume, with a view to imparting the ‘time back’ once amenities recommences as usual. Others are recommending that they will be pausing payments for memberships. Patrons 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 cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and there have been costs suffered for hotels and travel, then the companies for every one of these should be contacted for more information on reimbursements.

Seperate terms and conditions may alter, but choices may be proposed to delay or rebook on an alternative date due to current circumstances.

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

Marriages and special events could potentially be afflicted by the outbreak of coronavirus. If the company or venue providing the ceremony or managing cancels, then a refund should be arranged for everything that has been cancelled. For those with wedding insurance, terms and conditions should be conferred for everything that can be obtained back. If it is the consumer, or person who has reserved the event that is deciding to cancel or rearrange the event, then some costs might apply. Negotiation and discussion with the coordinator around delaying the event is vital.

For anything that has already 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 customer.

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’ responsible 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, buyers 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 scheme is at the discretion of the bank or building society.

Consumer rights remain unaffected throughout the coronavirus pandemic. A few delivery and logistical companies have proclaimed delays on unnecessary items for transporting medical items and vital products. For extra info on orders already placed or delays experienced, the firm shipping the items should be the initial contact point.

We have explained the key consumer rights legislation that is valid in various situations mentioned below.

But, a more inclusive guide to consumer rights, including 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

While buying goods from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 declares they must be:

• Of good quality (free from any defects / damage and long-lasting)
• As the sellermentioned
• Exactly like any sample shown
• The same as any model shown  Perfect for the idea made known to the agent

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

Customers who believe that  anything mentioned above do not fit for their items and have passed the initial 30 days after  purchase, may be entitled to replacement or repair that is –

• Free of cost
• Repair should be durable
• Replacement should be like for like
• Within realistic time frame
• Without resulting in considerable inconvenience

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

• Keep the products for a lower price
• Return back the goods for a reimbursement (total refund in 6 months or perhaps partial reimbursement after or if a vehicle)

Private Sales – Sale of Goods Act 1979

When something is ordered from a private seller, the buyer is insured by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 which claims the goods must match the explanation given by the seller. This comprises:

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

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

• A total re-payment if the goods haven’t been accepted (not used and problem noticed quickly)
• Damages – a monetary amount to apy for repairs or the difference between what amount was paid and what the items are really worth

The burden of proof is on the purchaser to confirmverify that the products don’t match the sellers description, which might be hard if the description was delivered verbally.

Rail companies and travel services have different policies regarding reimbursements of tickets impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Scotrail are offering reimbursements on many train ticket types. Their process has changed a little because of the situation, and an administration charge may 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 planned a trip that is no longer needed or have planned travel to a cancelled function should contact the travel service for more details on their individual terms and conditions, including refund policies.

Though the Government has advised that every person abroad must return to the United Kingdom, a lot are still stranded with no means to come back home.

The Government has taken steps like specially chartered flights to help bring citizens home, however this might take some time. For now, they have made numerous recommendation about what those stuck in a foreign country must do.

If someone suffers or feels they are infected by coronavirus

The Government authorities of both the area and nation in which the client is residing will give suggestion and guidance on what to do if someone has, or thinks that they are infected by, coronavirus. Moreover, the citizen must seek medical help and self-isolate.

The NHS have compiled a guide on symptoms that are typically revealed when somebody 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 contact the local authorities. For additional info on embassies, or to locate the one in your vicinity, please call on 0207 008 1500, or instead visit:

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 on the region that the UK citizen is located. If doubtful, check out the travel advice for that country from the UK foreign and commonwealth office. This guide can be located by visiting:

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

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

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

If a reasonably priced flight home cannot be found

The travel company should be contacted in the first instance for additional details on flying back home. They may be able to delay or reimburse payment for the trip home.

Those people with travel insurance should contact their service provider because the insurance cover will be extended by 2 months if those travelling are making every effort to return home. People who cannot afford travel may even check if their credit card insurance applies.

UK citizens who find themselves stuck should also keep themselves updated on the declarations from local travel firms.

It is essential to contact friends and family to make sure they are aware that everybody in the party is safe and secure. If possible, they may be able to transfer money to those people trapped to pay for transport home.

Employment & benefits / monetary aid

There is also the choice for those stranded to get in touch with their employer and request for an advance of their payment to pay for travel home. The UK government can also provide monetary aid in a few situations. Additional info can be read on www.gov.uk

If cash runs out, or those stuck don’t have somewhere to stay, or access to meals / water / medical supplies

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

If cash is over whilst stranded in a foreign country, The UK Government can even provide financial help in some situations. More details can be accessed on www.gov.uk.

If the trapped passenger needs to take care for a family member in the UK

If the citizen is trapped in a foreign land, they should make sure that anybody they are a carer for is looked after. If someone else is taking care of this person, they could be asked to carry on to do this until they come back to the UK.

They could request family or friends to take care of this person till they return.

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

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

If they are employed, they should contact their boss wherever possible to keep them informed 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.

Benefits or state pension whilst 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 up to one month.

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

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

Any questions or doubts about benefit payments while in a foreign land 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