MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands with normal stocks of items and supply shipping services confirmed

Although some items are currently unavailable locally due to unusual purchasing patterns, the majority of stock is at normal levels

The Falkland Islands Government, FIG, confirmed on Wednesday that the normal shipping services supplying goods to the Islands remain in place and understand that major suppliers are expecting new stock to arrive in April as planned.

Further orders are also expected to arrive on future scheduled shipping dates. Although some items are currently unavailable locally due to unusual purchasing patterns, the majority of stock is at normal levels, which for most major suppliers is sufficient to fulfill one to three months expected sales.

Local suppliers already operate at the end of a long supply chain and are experienced in forecasting demand and managing stock levels several months in advance.

FIG will continue to work closely with the business sector and our logistics partners to ensure our supply links remain strong.

Likewise FIG recognizes that the current set of measures in relation to private sector workers and the self-employed are time limited and mostly targeted at providing income for those who are sick, quarantined or asked to stay home under certain circumstances.

FIG is currently working on a further package of measures to assist the private sector both generally and in terms of the effects on specific sectors.

An announcement within the next few days that will address general issues affecting the private sector with sector specific responses following at a later date.

Working with the Chamber of Commerce, FIG has now surveyed the business community about how the situation is affecting them, and this is proving useful in developing appropriate policy responses.

On Thursday FIG will set out and publish how claims to the Government for eligible wage costs can be submitted by businesses and the self-employed.

Regarding air links with UK, FIG said the next Airbridge is due to arrive in the Islands on Friday and leave on Sunday. FIG will continue to work with the MoD to ensure that key essential passengers including medical staff are able to still travel over this period.