Lockdown advice for dealers

The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is hoping for a “short and sharp” lockdown as it reminds members of what they can and can’t do at alert level four.

David Vinsen, chief executive, says it has issued an alert with advice for members after the country moved into lockdown at midnight on August 17.

He told Autofile Online that people across the industry will be feeling the same as other New Zealanders about the latest Covid-19 developments, which is “disappointed, frustrated, hopeful, and a whole mix of emotions”.

“Dealers, importers and wholesalers are just people like everyone else and businesses will have to cope with the situation we’re facing,” says Vinsen, pictured.

“It is what it is and we’re reminding our members to go back to what we did last year when we had a lockdown.

“We all hope that the lockdown is short and sharp but it’s much bigger than the motor industry and this is going to affect consumer confidence, consumer mobility and jobs.”

The alert sent out by VIA on the first day of lockdown says there are significant restrictions to operating at alert level four. It advises that workplaces can only open if they are a type of business or service identified by the government on the Unite Against Covid-19 website, and they are operating safely, in accordance with the level four requirements.

Malcolm Yorston, technical manager, says operating safely includes fulfilling a number of health and safety obligations, including that all freight can be distributed and received, with essential freight prioritised.

“If an alert level four service cannot operate safely, workers must not go to work and premises should remain closed,” he adds.

“Businesses that are able to operate are encouraged to put in place other measures, consistent with health and safety obligations, to prevent their activities contributing to the spread of Covid-19.

“For example, businesses that can operate are encouraged to have employees work from home wherever this is possible to provide the relevant business or service.”

Additional guidelines can be found here.

For more information, contact Yorston on 0800-842-842, or email technical@via.org.nz.