Government Defines Auto Repair Services as Essential During Emergency Closures
The effects of the Coronavirus outbreak continue to have a huge impact on the auto industry. Most, if not all car manufacturing has been suspended in the U.S. out of concern for the health of factory workers, and many states are shutting down vehicle sales businesses, but vehicle owners need not worry about getting maintenance and repairs on their exiating vehicles. A press advisory today from the Auto Care Association explains that the Federal government has issued guidance to state and local governments to include the vehicle service and repair industry in the definition of essential services for the purposes of emergency orders that require non-essential businesses to close. Released on March 19th, The Department of Homeland Security memorandum entitled “MEMORANDUM ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE” includes a list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” “to help State and local officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.” Of major importance to the auto care industry and car owners, that list includes “Automotive repair and maintenance facilities” and “Employees who repair and maintain vehicles."