Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • 04-santa-cruz-rear-driver-quarter.jpg
      view gallery
      23 photos
      2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
      1-pathfinder.png
      view gallery
      13 photos
      New vehicles are shouting their names out loud
      NUtoyota1.jpg
      view gallery
      7 photos
      2022 Toyota GR 86
      hummersuv_1.jpg
      view gallery
      4 photos
      2024 GMC Hummer SUV Edition 1
    • 1PLANT-MAIN_i.jpg
      How suppliers and automakers saved the industry amid a pandemic
      Automakers, suppliers tackle new crises together
      HONDA_20190508_FINAL.jpg
      Honda, Toyota most preferred by suppliers
      Lawsuit challenges Trump's authority on steel, auto tariffs
    • PACE2021logo-MAIN.jpg
      Magna among the finalists for the 2021 PACE and PACEpilot Awards
      Vaccine Vial
      Suppliers working on vaccination sites in Ontario, but 'it's a fluid discussion'
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Canada-U.S. trade faces 'critical moment' that demands urgent action, businesses warn
      Britishvolt teaser image web.jpg
      Britishvolt eyes Canada for home to new battery factory
    • New Hyundai Dealership Sign
      Hyundai Canada commits to adding more Black dealers to its network
      HGregoire President John Hairabedian
      Why dealers are wading into the murky waters of cryptocurrency
      Dealers want post-pandemic investment in IT, not showrooms
      Windsor
      Automakers, dealers could look to the service sector to fill jobs
    • Cumberland Honda in Amherst, N.S.
      Dealing with provincial border closures caused by COVID-19
      Luxury dealers break new ground with online purchasing, servicing tools
      Digital greeter named Janus pre-screens showroom customers for COVID-19
      How a small-town GM store casts a wide net to land customers and stay successful
    • GenesisG70-MAIN_i.jpg
      Hyundai recalls more than 100,000 Genesis luxury vehicles for possible fire risk
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      U.S., Canadian execs lobby for USMCA relief
      6NAFTA-5.jpg
      Some Mexican automakers want more time to meet USMCA rules, official says
      Japan Prius prod 20 web.jpg
      Japan may ban sales of new ICE vehicles in mid-2030s, report says
    • 5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Canada-U.S. trade faces 'critical moment' that demands urgent action, businesses warn
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Ottawa mulls exempting auto workers from Canada-U.S. border shutdown
      5AMBASSADOR-MAIN_i.jpg
      Dispute brewing over USMCA rules
      Canadian Pacific Train Engine
      How pending rail merger could aid North American auto industry
    • GMMaps-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM expects to launch new in-vehicle navigation system in Canada later this year
      Porsche, Apple Music partner on infotainment
      Vietnam-tied hackers said to target auto industry
      Vehicle screens go super-sized at CES as tech catches up
    • Wuhan honda prod web.jpg
      Automakers push to reopen plants with testing and lots of masks
      Ford, UAW reach tentative pact in U.S. with billions worth of investment
      GM Canada says it will find 2,400 jobs for Oshawa workers
      FCA to idle Ontario minivan plant for 8 days, union says
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Fiat Chrysler
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Ferrari
      • Fiat
      • Jeep
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Do automakers prioritize U.S. inventory over Canadian stock?
      BrightDrop.jpg
      Big questions remain when it comes to GM's $1-billion CAMI plant
      Bosch_information_domain_computer web.jpg
      Bosch, Continental battle to supply the brain of the connected car
      Unifor exceeded its goals during Detroit 3 talks
  • Canada Conversations
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2019 Canadians To Watch
    • 2019 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • Best Dealership To Work For
    • Register for the 2021 Best Dealership To Work For
    • Canada Congress Conversations
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Dealerships reboot for millennials
      Communication is key to keeping dealership family together
      How giving back to their communities helps dealerships succeed
      Green dealerships good for business and for hiring
    • Embrace millennials and technology or be left behind, dealers warned
      walker.jpg
      Magna CEO says USMCA will mean 'more jobs, more investment' in Canada
      Top auto execs to address industry upheaval at 2020 Canada Congress
      VIDEO: Why Ford's Hinrichs is bullish on USMCA
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Coronavirus
May 15, 2020 10:11 AM

Ontario dealerships to fully open May 19 under safety guidelines

Greg Layson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Dealers and customers are being asked to socially distance themselves in showrooms.

    It’s business as usual as can be for new-vehicle dealerships in Ontario beginning May 19. That’s when appointments will no longer be needed to shop for a new car at the bricks-and-mortar stores.

    Ontario enters Phase 1 of its plan to reopen the economy, and auto dealerships are part of the first set of business to enjoy relaxed restrictions.

    Previously, dealerships were closed all together — except their service bays, which were deemed essential services. On May 4, they were allowed to open, but by appointment only. On May 19, they will generally be open but must abide by social-distancing rules and public-health guidelines. That means people in the store should remain two metres — or six feet apart. Masks aren’t required but encouraged and staff should adhere to strict cleaning and hand-washing policies.

    On April 30, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) released guidelines for how dealerships can safely operate during the pandemic, including recommendations on how to sell vehicles in-store and offer test drives when allowed.

    OMVIC COVID-19 Crisis Guidelines

    The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council issued a set of safety guidelines for its members to consider.

    OMVIC COVID-19 Crisis Guidelines >

    Recommendations outlined in the document include having dealerships designate “a COVID-19 champion to monitor social distancing and the overall health of the building and staff,” limiting the number of customers involved in a sales meeting to two and limiting the total number of customers in the building at one time. It also outlines safety measures for service departments, many of which are similar to those in a recent report by the Quebec dealers association, as well as how to conduct test drives safely in provinces where they are allowed.

    The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) on Thursday issued its own set of safety guidelines for dealerships.

    OMVIC administers and enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, its regulations and code of ethics, as well as relevant sections of the Consumer Protection Act on behalf of Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

    The agency warns that “employers are required by law to take every precaution to protect the health and safety of employees and employees have the right to refuse unsafe work.”

    It also encourages the use of electronic means to conduct all meetings and still suggests that meetings be made by appointment only and that curbside pickup still be used in the service department ”to limit physical traffic and staffing at the dealership.”

    OMVIC also recommends face masks be worn during test drives and that a second vehicle be used to follow the test whenever possible.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Suppliers working on vaccination sites in Ontario, but 'it's a fluid discussion'
    Recommended for You
    Suppliers working on vaccination sites in Ontario, but 'it's a fluid discussion'
    Suppliers working on vaccination sites in Ontario, but 'it's a fluid discussion'
    GM Canada finishes 10 million face masks for federal government
    GM Canada finishes 10 million face masks for federal government
    Many salaried Ford employees can keep working remotely after pandemic
    Many salaried Ford employees can keep working remotely after pandemic
    Digital Edition
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    PO Box 243
    Station A
    Windsor, ON
    N9A 6K7

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Fiat Chrysler
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Ferrari
          • Fiat
          • Jeep
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Canada Conversations
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2019 Canadians To Watch
      • 2019 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • Best Dealership To Work For
      • Register for the 2021 Best Dealership To Work For
      • Canada Congress Conversations
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION