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Starting Wednesday, May 13, new and used car dealers can reopen their doors under strict risk-adjusted business measures, hygiene restrictions and social distancing.
Emergency repairs can also be carried out on vehicles, including cars that are behind for a service.
The Department of Commerce, Industry and Competition announced on Tuesday the highly anticipated instructions regarding car sales and emergency car repairs during Level 4 of the Covid-19 blockade.
Under the slightly relaxed closing restrictions that went into effect on May 1, auto factories were allowed to open with half their staff, but dealers had to wait longer to know when they would be allowed to start selling vehicles.
Initially, auto dealers were only able to perform emergency vehicle repairs at Tier 4, with vehicle sales allowed again at Tier 3 and routine service at Tier 2.
After lobbying for the auto industry, Commerce and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel released the addresses on Tuesday night, allowing the following auto trade activities during Alert Level 4:
- Trade in new and used cars;
- Wholesale of new and used cars by OEMs and importers;
- Export and import of all car categories through national ports of entry under strict guidelines; and
- Exchange purchases, car rental scheme returns, and used car wholesale.
Car sales will be carried out gradually under the following conditions:
In phase one, all used car dealers and outlets will operate with up to 30% employment subject to a maximum of one employee or customer for every nine square meters of space, provided that small businesses can operate with a minimum of five employees.
Most car sales will be done remotely via the Internet, e-commerce, or phone. Personal contact will be kept to a minimum and only by appointment under strict hygiene and social distancing conditions in accordance with regulations.
Test drives will be done by appointment only. The home delivery of vehicles with complete sanitation will be mandatory. Whenever possible, electronic or virtual signatures will be used for financial and insurance documentation. Auto auctions for all categories will be held online.
In phase two, all used car dealers and outlets will operate with up to 60% of employment; a limited number of clients will be allowed in the concessionaire under strict hygiene and social distancing conditions in accordance with the regulations; and remote vehicle sales will continue for those potential customers with access to online services.
In phase three, from June 8 until alert level 4 is raised, all used car dealers and points of sale will operate with up to 100% of employment; On-site customer contact will be permitted, but will be kept to a minimum while promoting remote vehicle sales; test drives can be organized on site by appointment only and under strict hygiene conditions, including fully disinfected cars; On-site collection and deliveries of fully disinfected cars will be permitted under strict hygiene conditions with a home delivery option if possible; and auto auctions for all categories will be held online and limited physical contact will be allowed to view before the auction under strict hygiene conditions.
The instructions also state that all vehicle dealers must implement health and safety measures, including disinfecting facilities, maintaining social distancing protocols, and ensuring that all personnel and customers wear a cloth face mask.
Testing centers
Circulation testing and evaluation centers and other test stations are also operational under the new directions.
Auto electricians, tire mounting centers, auto body repair shops, windshield replacement centers, and other related auto service centers can also open immediately, under the same tiered levels of workforce and restraint restrictions. hygiene than car dealers.
“There is an overwhelming sense of relief that we can get back into business,” said Mark Dommisse, president of the National Association of Auto Dealers (Nada).
“We don’t know how strong the market will be, but we have to look at the positives and get back to operating again. The consequences will continue to be great, but a line has been drawn in the sand. We can kick-start the economy.”
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