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<p>The Government has announced a range of measures to assist industry and companies
are able to draw on this unprecedented package of economic measures. These measures
have been designed to ensure that companies of any size, including airports, airlines
and the wider supply chain, receive the help they need to get through this difficult
time.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises that air freight plays an important
role in supply chains and the importance that essential goods can continue to be brought
into and out of the United Kingdom without disruption. COVID-19 presents unique risks
to the movement of goods.</p><p> </p><p>Because of this, the Department for Transport
is working with different sectors to help ensure that essential goods can continue
to be transported into the UK. This includes working closely with the aviation sector
to support it to ensure there is sufficient capacity to protect global travel routes,
continue freight and maintain vital connectivity.</p><p> </p><p>The Department of
Health and Social Care is working closely with the Department for Transport, other
Government Departments and industry to feed into this ongoing work as well as monitor
the impact of COVID-19 on medical supply chains and manage identified risks. For example,
the Department of Health and Social Care has mobilised an Express Freight Service
to support the continuity of supply of medicines and medical products and ensure the
continued prioritisation of critical products.</p><p> </p><p>This is complemented
by the current work of the Civil Aviation Authority and the Competition and Markets
Authority. The Civil Aviation Authority oversees and regulates all aspects of civil
aviation in the United Kingdom and is engaging airlines and airports to provide flexibility
within the regulatory framework to help manage and mitigate COVID-19 impacts where
appropriate. The Competition and Markets Authority, which has launched a COVID-19
pandemic taskforce to identify harmful pricing practices is advising the Government
on the means of ensuring markets operate as well as possible.</p><p> </p>
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