This Order excludes from the Chapter I prohibition in the Competition Act 1998 agreements between those maritime operators providing passenger and freight crossing services across the Solent, intended to assist the operators in addressing the effects or likely effects of coronavirus on the provision of crossing services. The Chapter I prohibition precludes agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which may affect trade within the United Kingdom and which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the United Kingdom. Where there are exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy for doing so, the Secretary of State may exclude an agreement or an agreement of a particular description from the Chapter I prohibition.