AG Begins Investigating Businesses and Dealer Operations
/Ensure Compliance - Follow Health & Safety Guidelines
GNYADA has been alerted that the New York Attorney General (and the Department of Health are investigating dealers’ compliance with the safety and health guidelines included in Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders.
The Governor’s Orders declaring automobile sales and service operations as “essential” businesses require dealers to follow all CDC and NYS Health Department protocols to ensure the safety of employees and customers. Dealers should follow the NYS Health Department guidance about essential retail businesses on how to keep your facility clean and your workers healthy, and how to address situations where someone with the coronavirus was in your facility.
In previous emails, GNYADA informed members of about selling, test-driving, and servicing vehicles during the COVID-19 pandemic along with the important protocols and proper protections that must be in place for operating dealerships. You can access those bulletins here.
Based on communication received by the Association, the AG’s office has reached out to NY businesses, including dealers, to inform them that they are enforcing compliance with the Governor’s Orders. If someone has received this communication, the documentation requested must demonstrate policies and procedures in place in the business to comply with heath and safety regulations during the pandemic.
Specific documentation requested includes:
Document safety measures your business has implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 according to Department of Health Guidelines https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Documentation relating to the number of employees that have been deemed essential and required to work on-site and the number of employees working from home. Include an explanation of how the business made these determinations.
Identify protocols your dealership has taken if you have knowledge of any of your staff having contracted coronavirus, in the past, presently or are currently ordered to quarantine.
GNYADA can’t stress enough that dealers need to follow all safety and health guidelines identified by the CDC, DOH and OSHA. You should document your policies and procedures, distribute those to your staff, and train staff on how to operate safely by following the safety and health protocols your dealership has put in place.
Failure to comply may result in financial penalties to the dealership and/or the suspension of operations.
GNYADA’s website has a section dedicated to Managing Operations during the COVID-19 Crisis access the website’s special section here.
Contact the dealer hotline at 718.746.5900 if you have questions about operating your dealership during this pandemic.
