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<p>The Government has been working closely with the NI Executive to maintain UK connectivity
between Great Britain and Northern Ireland throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p>
</p><p>Thanks to a generous £5.7m financial support package agreed by the Government
and the Executive, the air bridge between GB and NI was maintained at the height of
disruptions this year, ensuring that critical routes to London from both City of Derry
and Belfast City airports remained open to support the movement of key workers within
the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p><p>The aviation industry has also been able to draw
on the unprecedented package of economic measures the Government has put in place
during this time, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital and
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme that facilitates access to finance
for businesses affected by the outbreak.</p><p> </p><p>The Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme (CJRS) has also been available to support wages during this time. On 5 November,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that workers across the United Kingdom would
benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the CJRS until the end
of March 2021, with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not
worked.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to work closely with the Executive
to ensure critical routes remain open.</p><p> </p>
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