Car dealerships are able to open their showrooms once again across England today as lockdown restrictions begin to be lifted.
Showrooms closed their doors on March 23, and while some garages remained open for essential servicing work, sales could not take place physically. You could still buy a car online or over the phone and have it delivered to your home, though, while you could ‘click and collect’ a new car from a dealership since May 15 as well.
But now you can browse and buy a new or used car at a showroom again from today (June 1), with dealerships taking special measures and precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Many firms have introduced one-way systems within their showrooms and steps to ensure the 2m distancing is maintained – things you’ve no doubt seen while shopping in your local supermarket.
Hand sanitiser will likely be found across the site, too, while Perspex screens may have been installed if social distancing can’t be maintained. Many are encouraging those wanting to view or test drive a car to make an appointment to ensure the car has been sanitised and to limit the number of people on site.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published guidance for dealers, while all showrooms need to have completed a ‘Covid Risk Assessment’ form to be able to reopen.
Currently, it’s only car dealers in England that are able to open, with those in Northern Ireland able to from June 8. No date has been given as to when those in Wales and Scotland can open their doors again.
Click here to find out everything you need to know about visiting a dealership at this time.Â
