NYSERDA recently announced changes to the rebate program including new rebate amounts, lowering the qualifying MSRP, and a training requirement for dealership personnel.

Today, Governor Cuomo announced that, effective immediately, New York’s Safety Guidelines are now optional. This news follows the State hitting the 70-percent mark of adults receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that employers may offer financial incentives to employees to get vaccinated as long as such incentives are not “coercive.” Also, today, Governor Cuomo announced that employees who fall ill due to side effects from receiving a COVID vaccine will be allowed to use employer-paid sick leave for such illness.

A GNYADA member, whose mask policy requires staff to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, has alerted the Association that they received fake vaccination cards from employees.

A short while ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that, starting this Wednesday, May 19, 2021, vaccinated people will no longer need to wear masks in nearly every setting, including automotive dealerships. The only exceptions include those riding public transit, those in schools, and in some communal settings.

It may not be a return to total normalcy, but New York continues to ease safety restrictions on businesses as COVID infection rates drop.

This week Governor Andrew Cuomo joined Governors Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut to announce that the three states will move forward with plans to ease restrictions for most businesses, including auto dealerships.

GNYADA has received inquiries relating to the news from the CDC about not wearing masks outside. As the CDC continues to relax some requirements in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, New York has not yet rolled back requirements on businesses. Dealers must continue to follow their specific Safety Plans which include the use of masks for employees.

Governor Cuomo recently announced that New York adopted guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") changing quarantine recommendations for vaccinated persons. Those who are fully vaccinated and meet the criteria below are no longer required to quarantine following an exposure to someone with COVID-19.

GNYADA is aware of recent consumer complaints objecting to dealers charging “disinfection fees”, “COVID Cleaning Fees” or other pandemic-related surcharges that have been passed along to customers.

Whether these “fees” are to cover the dealer’s cost for sanitizing the facility, the test-driven vehicle, the purchased vehicle, or anything else at the dealership to address the State Department of Health or CDC’s protocols, it is not permissible to preprint these fees on Buyer’s Orders or on customer Repair Orders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented number of UI claims throughout New York. In response to these claims, the New York Department of Labor(“DOL”) has temporarily changed how benefits will impact dealers cost and experience rating. The DOL changes are intended to ease the burden of unemployment charges incurred by employers during the pandemic.