Coronavirus - Taking Precautions  

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The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting that a Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will come to the United States though it is not certain when.  If the outbreak does occur, it could temporarily disrupt day-to-day operations at your dealership.  Dealers should take warnings seriously and ensure that your dealership is taking steps to keep staff, customers, and vendors healthy while working and visiting your place of business.   

In general, OSHA requires all businesses including dealers, to provide a safe work environment for all employees.  A safe work environment includes one that keeps employees safe from known diseases.    Below are some steps dealers can take now to try to ensure the health and safety of your staff:

Illness Prevention

  • Encourage employees to wash with soap and water or sanitize hands frequently. 

  • Make hand sanitizer and boxes of tissues available throughout the dealership 

  • Keep anti-bacterial wipes around and frequently wipe down the interior of vehicles in the showroom and demos before/after test drives. 

  • Treat customer cars that come in for service the same way; disinfect them before your technicians diagnose and repair these vehicles.

  • Suggest, that for now, employees may wish to avoid shaking hands.

  • Require your cleaning companies to treat all work surfaces including phones, computers, floors, restrooms with proper disinfectants.

  • Discourage employees from using other employees' phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment.

  • Minimize situations where people are crowded together, like meetings. Use email, phones, and text messages to communicate with each other. When meetings are necessary, avoid close contact by keeping a separation of at least 6 feet, where possible, and assure that meeting rooms are well-ventilated.

When Employees are Sick

  • Encourage sick employees to stay home by having dealership policies, like paid time off or allowing employees to work from home when possible.

Check official government sites for up-to date information at the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html - https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus or call the Association (718.746.5900) with any questions.

Proper cleaning supplies including commercial stands and hand sanitizer dispensers are available through GNYADA DDC vendors.  For more information call Jennifer Berman at the Association – 718.746.5900.