Governor Declares Repair Shops As "Essential"

Sales operations need to be reduced by 75%

Governor Andrew Cuomo made two major announcements late Thursday night. The first, was that employees involved in auto repairs, supply/parts and body shop operations are considered essential workers. These dealership operations are exempt from the 75% restriction on worker attendance.  

The second announcement was that the number of non-essential workers must be reduced from 50% to 75% effective today (Friday) at 8:00 pm. 

Since the Governor did not identify dealerships' sales departments as essential, those departments will have to be reduced by 75%. But dealers should be able to keep their accounting and payroll staff members that support their service and parts departments working. That's because business operations that support an essential service are also exempt from the 75% workforce cut. 

The Governor's announcement came after GNYADA, NYSADA, and the state's other metro associations sent Mr. Cuomo a letter requesting an exemption for dealerships from the stay-home order. The letter explained that regular vehicle maintenance and warranty and recall repairs are matters of public safety. It also noted that dealers' sales teams make sure consumers, companies, non-profits, and governments can stay on the road whenever they need a new vehicle, especially those individuals whose lease has expired. 

GNYADA will continue to make sure that, during this challenging time, dealerships can continue serving as an essential component of our transportation sector. Indeed, without dealers and their workers, everyday citizens, small businesses, and health and safety personnel might become marooned away, including from places where they can do the most good.

We continue to stress that you find ways to keep staff working at your dealerships with the proper amount of separation for health and safety reasons.

GNYADA will keep dealers posted on any further developments related to the state's COVID-19 response. Our Association staff is fully operational, while mostly working remotely, we are answering dealer question and supplying vital services.  If you need assistance please call 718.746.5900.