Auto Repair Shops are Essential Businesses During COVID-19
Thurston County Transmission is Here for You!
COVID-19 has created a collective unease throughout the country – and the world. For the past six weeks the United States has largely shut down with states mandating Stay-at-Home orders to try to “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 cases.
However, during this time federal and state governments have studiously determined what businesses should be deemed “essential” in order to keep cities and states functioning at the most basic levels.
To this end, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identified “essential services” as any business that is needed to keep the public safe and healthy. CISA also created a list of guidelines that is “intended to help State, local, tribal and territorial 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.”
And who is essential? We are! CISA has designated that car repair services are listed among the essential services.
What Does This Mean for Auto Repair Shops?
Deloitte, a large multinational organization based in London that provides analytics, auditing, and consulting services, found that, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a swift and severe impact on the globally integrated automotive industry. Symptoms include a disruption in Chinese parts exports, large scale manufacturing interruptions across Europe, and the closure of assembly plants in the United States.”
Essentially, this is not good news for industry sales of new cars. However, it also highlights an increased need for car repair shops to remain open and functional. With fewer new car sales, customers are sticking with their current automobiles for the time being.
In order to help keep cars up and running, businesses such as Thurston County Transmission are maintaining regular hours and staffing levels so that we can help to ensure that our communities’ cars run smoothly.
How We Are Keeping You Safe
To help ensure that our customers feel safe when they visit our shop, we are following CDC and state guidelines for cleaning and social distancing. Here are some steps we are taking in our shop to help keep you safe when you visit us:
- All shop team members are following comprehensive hand hygiene procedures.
- Shop team members are keeping a 6-foot distance from customers whenever possible.
- We are instructing all employees to frequently wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds and to regularly use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-90% alcohol.
- We are providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer for all guests.
- We are conducting extra cleanings of high-touch areas, including countertops, workstations, keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, hand tools, and more.
If you have any questions about our current story policies or to make an appointment for your car to be repaired, contact us today.
