‘Open only if essential’

Businesses in the automotive industry should be closed unless involved in activities for essential services.

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) says, for example, there are very few – if any – instances in which a dealership can need to open for sales.

Greig Epps, pictured, advocacy and strategy manager, told Autofile Online: “It is unfortunate that the country is back at level four, but while we are under lockdown we are reminding MTA members to follow the public-health guidelines. 

“They should only open if essential – for example, service stations or workshops providing maintenance to other essential services. 

“Hopefully, a short lockdown will not have too great an impact on businesses. Many have enjoyed good levels of trading since the lockdowns last year and the government has announced renewed support for businesses that face significant financial impact.”

An alert to MTA members explains the lockdown follows the identification of a case of Covid-19 in the community with an unknown chain of transmission. The infected Aucklander and his wife travelled by private vehicle to Coromandel on August 13 and returned to the city two days later.

“The Ministry of Health is developing a list of locations of interest visited by the couple,” states the MTA’s advice.

“At alert level four, businesses are closed except for essential services – for example, supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, petrol stations and lifeline utilities. These will stay open.

“Here are the links to the existing alert level-four pages in the MTA’s Toolbox and public site.”