Car dealers have today opened their doors once again after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted by the government. But there are new rules in place to make sure the public and staff are protected from the virus.
Dealers in Northern Ireland will also be permitted to open on June 8th, but customers in Wales and Scotland have not yet been given a date for when they’ll be allowed back in to showrooms.
As with most other businesses, social distancing measures have been put in place to ensure there is always at least two metres between people from different households. Customers will also be encouraged to do as much research as possible online before they visit the showroom and to make appointments to avoid overcrowding.
The government’s rules have also been changed to allow customers to take unaccompanied test drives of cars which are wearing red and white ‘Trade Plates’. This was previously illegal, as an employee of the garage had to be in the car at all times.
Customers who are picking up their new cars will also have to make some compromises, as the usual handover won’t be able to happen. Some dealers and manuafcturers are looking at solutions such as video tutorials to teach drivers how to connect phones and open the fuel filler on their new cars.
There is still no news on the opening up of servicing departments though, with most franchised dealers only offering maintenance to key workers.
Expect strict measures to keep staff and customers safe 
