Ontario dealerships to fully open May 19 under safety guidelines

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.

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.