New York Lifts COVID Capacity Restrictions

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.

Present rules for dealerships require keeping a 50% capacity limit of the maximum allowed by their occupancy permit. But starting Wednesday, May 19th, that cap on will go away, and businesses can return to maximum capacity.

To be clear many of the other requirements are still in effect. Now would be a good time for dealers to review their safety plans and make sure that employees are following those rules. You can review dealers’ summary COVID safety guidelines here.

New York State rules still require dealers to regularly clean commonly used objects and areas, make hand sanitizer available throughout their premises, and conduct health screening assessments for all employees. The safety guidelines encourage, but do not require dealers to allow customers to take solo test drives. But if you do join a consumer in a test drive, you must take the seat furthest from the driver and wear a face mask.

GNYADA will be updating our website to include any changes to the guidelines beyond the lifting of the capacity restriction as they are amended.