COVID-19: Global Supply Chain Update

April 30th, 2020

As part of our continued work during the COVID-19 crisis we are keeping you up to date on the supply chain. Below you will find some of the key updates happening around the world. Yourway remains fully operational despite challenges presented.

Global News Brief

	Clinical trials begin for Pepcid, a heartburn medication, in combination with hydroxychloroquine, on patients with COVID-19.
	Despite anecdotal evidence showing promise for the treatment of coronavirus and a large number of ongoing global clinical trials, preliminary results from trials in the United States and China suggest that hydroxychloroquine has no impact for the majority of patients and can actually lead to a worsening condition.
	Oxford University’s Jenner Institute is working on a new coronavirus vaccine which will be tested in more than 6,000 people by the end of next month.
	Gilead Sciences has announced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) plans to release positive early results of a clinical trial of its drug remdesivir as a potential treatment for coronavirus.

Regional Breakdown

North America

USA

	Several states have begun undoing lockdown restrictions, with Georgia making the greatest push to reopen.
	Passenger flights continue to operate on a reduced timeline, putting more strain on commercial flights.
	The U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until mid-May.
	Though formal restrictions vary by state, road travel remains open, with trucking demand increasing.
	Major U.S. airports remain operational, with flights limited from individual carriers in both domestic and international lanes, and ongoing limitations from smaller ports.
	Non-essential travel is limited both domestically and internationally.
	Ocean carriers are fully operational and following standard crisis protocols, but cargo transport between China and North America is significantly reduced.

Canada

	International flights may only land at international airports in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver as an enhanced screening measure.
	Air Canada’s international flights have been suspended through June.
	Air Transat and Sunwing Airlines flights remain canceled until May 30.
	The United States and Canada have agreed to extend their border closure for another 30 days.
	Canada continues to enforce the Quarantine Act, wherein all non-essential worker travelers must undergo mandatory isolation and abstain from using public transportation.
	Trade across the border is unaffected, and supply chains remain intact.

Mexico

	Air-freight capacity is reduced due to ongoing flight cancellations.
	The U.S.-Mexico border will remain closed for an additional 30 days.
	Nationwide restrictions have been extended through May 30.
	Commercial flights have been reduced, but cargo is unaffected.
	All non-essential activities are banned until April 30th, and all citizens have been urged to stay at home.
	Air, ocean, and road traffic are all still operational--Yourway’s operations remain unaffected.

Europe

United Kingdom

	British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned against easing restrictions too soon and will revisit the lockdown terms on May 7.
	British Airways has suspended all flights to and from London's Gatwick Airport.
	Only 2 out of 4 terminals are operational at Heathrow Airport.
	London Airport is closed until May.
	Although most passenger transit is significantly reduced, goods are still moving freely into and around the UK.

Germany

	Weekend traffic bans have been lifted on trucks, with the German Federal government requesting a separate freight lane for the transportation of medical goods.
	Bavaria has lifted its driving ban on Sundays and public holidays until May 30. The Land of Hesse has lifted its driving ban on Sundays and days holidays to all goods transport vehicles until June 30.
	Eurail service has been reduced to the Netherlands.
	Germany is slowly reversing lockdown restrictions.
	Passengers arriving from a non-Schengen member state are not allowed to enter Germany.
	Border crossing is allowed between neighboring countries, excluding Belgium and the Netherlands.
	Air travel capacity has been reduced, affecting regional hubs and Lufthansa specifically though cargo continues.

France

	The nation will begin to gradually lift certain lockdown conditions on May 11.
	Flights are reduced between France and the United States and some of the most impacted countries, including China and Italy.
	Overseas flights are limited to maintaining territorial continuity .
	Schengen borders remain closed.
	Orly Airport has been closed since April 1.
	Travelers being evacuated from other countries by the French government must undergo quarantine.

Denmark

	Denmark’s road, sea, rail, and rail freight channels have been kept open to ensure a security of supply.
	Denmark eases lockdown restrictions.
	Denmark’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors and are not set to reopen until May 10.
	Border closures do not affect the transport of goods, including foods, medicine, and industrial supplies.

Italy

	Although Italy will not be lifting the countrywide lockdown, certain regions will stagger reopening.
	Italy remains one of the countries experiencing the most severe restrictions. All movement of citizens within the country is currently banned. The nationwide lockdown remains in place until May 3.
	Airports remain closed across the country, with most services from most airlines reduced or canceled altogether.
	Transport by road and rail remains operational.
	The Italian government has issued exceptions to pharma companies performing DTP services.

Spain

	Travel remains restricted and is only essential travel.
	The national lockdown has been extended until May 9.
	Land borders are closed to entry but not for cargo, allowing clinical trial materials and DTP services to continue.
	Airports, ports, warehouses, and carriers remain open and operational.

Poland

	Lockdown restrictions will be slowly lifted in accordance with a 4-stage plan.
	No international inbound flights or trains have been allowed entry into the country since March 15.
	The borders remain open to the movement of goods, and trucks bearing international road freight are no longer required to respect a quarantine period of two weeks.
	Borders are to remain closed until May 3, with a state of emergency enforced until April 19.
	More border checkpoints are now open, especially on the borders with Czechia and Germany.
	Truck capacity is reduced to Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

Russia

	Non-essential businesses have been mandatorily closed.
	An overnight curfew was implemented in Chechnya, with road, rail, and air transport links suspended in the region.
	All commercial, international, and charter flights are suspended.

Asia Pacific

China

	Schools reopen in China’s major cities.
	The land border between Russia and China remains closed.
	Wuhan, China, the original center of the coronavirus outbreak ended a national lockdown that began on January 23.
	Passenger and international flights are limited with cargo unaffected.
	There have been minimal changes to import and export regulations.
	Beijing will take steps to bolster domestic and international air cargo capacity, including support for air freight companies, and logistics firms.

Hong Kong

	The Hong Kong government predicts the country will be back on track by July.
	Nonresidents from any location outside mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan were banned from entering Hong Kong starting March 25th.
	Nonresidents from mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan who were overseas in the previous 14 days are also barred from entry.
	All flights have been suspended from the Hong Kong International Airport.

South Korea

	South Korea continues social distancing measures.
	South Korea has lifted bans in even high-risk establishments, including places of worship, bars, and sporting facilities.
	Seoul’s defense ministry is considering easing restrictions on travel and guest visits.

Singapore

	Partial Jetstar Asia service resumes on April 21 between Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
	All social gatherings have been banned.
	There have been no import/export changes to date, although international flights are significantly restricted, and foreign visitors, apart from long-term residents, are currently banned.
	The government is ramping up border checks to detect and isolate cases entering the country.

India

	The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations.
	A comprehensive nationwide lockdown remains in effect until May 3, at least.
	Ground supply chains for both non-essential and essential commodities have been significantly impacted due to a lack of available human resources.
	Trucks are not allowed on the road, except for the transport of essential commodities, including medicines and clinical trial materials.
	Air-freight is operating efficiently owing to the limitations on passenger flights.

Australia

	The lockdown will continue until May 11.
	Virgin Airlines limited domestic flight service will resume until June 7, cargo is not affected.
	The Australian border is closed to entry for foreign travelers, and all entering Australia are required to enter a 14-day quarantine.
	Restrictions in New South Wales will remain in place until June 29.

New Zealand

	New Zealand has extended its strict lockdown until April 27.
	Freight flights are operating under limitations, with service exclusive to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, and Dunedin.

Middle East

Israel

	The Israeli government has approved steps to ease restrictions.
	Transit facilities at Tel Aviv (TLV) are temporarily suspended.
	The Israeli border remains closed to all, except nationals, residents, and those with a specific entry approval from the Immigration Authority.

Saudi Arabia

	Saudi Arabia has imposed an extended nationwide curfew indefinitely.
	Residential lockdowns have been mandated in Mecca, Madina, and Riyadh.
	Traveling is restricted between regions.
	International flights are suspended but freight and commercial flights remain available.

Turkey

	The government has expanded flight restrictions to a total of 68 countries, cargo is not affected.
	Domestic flights are limited until May 1 with a nationwide quarantine in place for people entering Turkey.

South America

Chile

	Chile maintains a settle-in-place order with schools, universities, and malls closed.
	Borders remain closed to non-resident foreigners.
	Cargo transport is not restricted, including ports, airports, and customs processing.

Peru

	The lockdown has been extended until May 10.
	The Peruvian border shut down its borders after declaring a state of emergency on March 15.
	All international travel in and out of the country is closed.

Argentina

	Argentina bans all flights in and out of the country until September 1, establishing one of the world’s most intensive travel restrictions.
	Medical supplies and other essential cargo are not affected.

Africa

South Africa

	Lockdown restrictions will begin to ease May 1.
	Only essential activities are permitted.

Nigeria

	Aviation minister Hadi Sirika announced that Nigeria will extend the closure of its airspace and airports by two weeks, effective April 20.
	Nigeria has extended its original three-week lockdown for an additional two weeks, effective April 13.
	Nigeria has placed a complete travel ban on 13 countries.

Thank you for reading the Yourway newsletter. As we navigate the current global situation, our priority is to keep our customers abreast of ongoing developments, including border closures and openings.

Our 21 global depots are operating at full capacity and we continue to deliver clinical trial materials around the world and directly to patients without issue.

If your company is experiencing disruptions or challenges in your supply chain, contact Yourway for solutions to your specific needs.

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