Upstate Dealership Closed Due to a Cluster of COVID-19

/

According to a story that appeared in the Daily Gazette, a dealer in Albany was investigated by the County Department of Health concerning a spike in COVID-19 cases traced back to the dealership.

The dealership has since announced, on its Facebook page, that it will be closed for a minimum of 10 days to do some facility maintenance as well as to adopt more precautions in an effort to ensure that the highest level of safety is maintained in accordance with the New York State Department of Health guidelines.

GNYADA Reminds Members to Review Safety Protocols at Your Dealership

GNYADA continues to receive calls and information from dealers who have been visited by local and state enforcement agencies to investigate its COVID safety protocols.
 
Dealers need to be fully prepared for enforcement by state and local officials by having their dealership's COVID-19 Safety Plan, along with documentation of daily employee screenings and cleaning sanitizing protocols in place. Dealers must also have  clear signage and communication about cleaning and safety protocols at the dealership.

Dealers, outside designated “red zones,” are permitted to be fully operational as long as they follow specific State and CDC guidelines that were issued as part of the Governor’s reopening plan.

Dealers must have the following items in place:

  • A Safety Plan that is posted in a conspicuous place in the dealership for customers and employees. Be sure to identify Central Point of Contact (receives and reviews daily COVID screening questionnaires) Site Safety Monitor (responsible for compliance with dealership’s Safety Plan)

  • Dealers must submit an affirmation that they have reviewed and understand the Interim Guidance for Vehicle Sales, Leases, And Rentals During the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency, dated July 1, 2020.  

  • The following signage is required at the dealership:

    • Face coverings are required upon entering

    • Social distancing rules are in place

    • Hand hygiene/washing

    • Stop the Spread Poster

    • Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette

  • Daily employee and visitor COVID screening questionnaire (customers entering the dealership are not required to be screened)

  • Conduct regular cleaning/sanitizing and maintain logs detailing the date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.

Following the dealership Safety Plan may help avoid a COVID outbreak in your dealership and help avoid a shut down.  Additional detailed information is available on the Association’s special COVID website at gnyada-covid19.com or call the Dealer Hotline at 718.746.5900 for more information about your COVID Safety Plan.