OADA Offers Best Practices for Essential Sales and Service

Beginning yesterday at 11:59 PM, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Stay-in-Place Order went into effect for all Ohioans.  A copy of that order can be found HERE.  Transportation is an essential need for all Ohioans to drive to and from essential services, grocery stores, or to assist family members in need.  OADA members stand ready to help those Ohioans who experience automotive repair issues and if necessary, sell customers vehicles in accordance with the letter and “spirit” of the Order. 

If you are keeping your dealership operations open during this time, you must comply with the various requirements of the Order.  Based on conversations with dealers, here are some other health and safety “best practices” dealers are sharing with us they are implementing: 

• Reducing to Essential Staff;
• Reducing Operating Hours, Moving to Appointment-Only (exception for emergency situations), and/or implementing special hours for members of the vulnerable populations;
• Placing signage at critical entry points informing consumers whether you are open during the Stay-in-Place Order. You can find sample signs on OADA’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage HERE;
• Routine and Regular Cleanings (door handles, common high-traffic areas, etc.);
• Implementing the 6-Feet Rule at the dealership (use signs, tape off spots on the floor for customers to stand, train staff, etc.);
• Ensure employees are practicing social distancing and other hygiene’s practices (Eat lunch separately, maintain spacing with co-workers, have parts left on the counter for technician pick-up, and stagger service bays if possible/practical, include hand sanitizer stations, etc.);
• Consider adding additional safety procedures for service (sneeze guards at between service staff and customers, seat covers, protective eye glasses, daily uniform changes, steering wheel covers, wearing gloves, asking customers to wait in vehicles until able to check in, and other prudent measures;
• Implementing pickup and drop-off services or “home delivery” where possible;
• Utilizing loaner vehicles whenever possible to assist customers and cleaning them properly before re-loaning them to additional customers;

Again, these are simply suggestions.  Dealers should consult the Order, their counsel, and their EHS consultant for more detailed guidance, best practices, and/or requirements.

Ultimately, each dealership has to determine what is best for them, their employees, and their community.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact OADA legal counsel, Sara Bruce or Matt Chacey.  Sara can be reached at (614) 923-2243 or sbruce@oada.com.  Matt can be reached at (614) 923-2232 or mchacey@oada.com.