NYIADA PROVIDES COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR DEALERS

FEB 3, 2022

COVID-19 Dealer Resource Page   

THE INDEPENDENT DEALER’S GUIDE FOR SAFELY OPERATING DURING COVID-19

GUIDE TO REOPENING YOUR DEALERSHIP:

• https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/AutoDealershipsSummaryGuidance.pdf  
• https://forward.ny.gov/regional-unpause-dashboard 
• https://forward.ny.gov/ 
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html 
• https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/additional_resources.html 
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf  

UPDATE MAY 4:

Covid-19 Useful Links

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UPDATE APRIL 15:

NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE MASKS TO EMPLOYEES WHO INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC BY WEDNESDAY

On Sunday, Governor Cuomo announced a new Executive Order Directing Employers to provide masks to employees who interact with the public. Specifically, the Executive Order states:

“For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law. This requirement shall be effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m.” 

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UPDATE APRIL 9:

Reynolds and Reynolds  Covid 19 Resource Guide

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UPDATE APRIL 1:

NYIADA’s victory was featured in Used Car News.

UPDATE March 30
RULES FOR REMOTE/ELECTRONIC SALES OF VEHICLES AND IN-PERSON VEHICLE RETURN/DELIVERY (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) DURING NY STATE ON PAUSE

Hello NYIADA,

We announced on March 26, 2020, an enormous victory for our dealers!

“Automotive sales conducted remotely or electronically, with in-person vehicle return and delivery by appointment only” was classified as an “essential service” by The Empire State Development Corporation. Previously, car dealerships in NY had to cease operations completely under Governor Cuomo’s placement of NY State on PAUSE due to COVID-19.

This is a a big win for NYIADA and the New York dealer associations that have been working continuously to create an exemption to allow New York dealers to safely sell cars.

Here are rules that must be followed while you conduct sales during this time:

• Dealers may sell automobiles remotely or electronically to any consumer. This means selling to consumers online, on websites, email, video chat, telephone calls, etc.
• Dealers can only allow vehicle return and delivery at the dealership (on the lot, in the service department, or wherever you usually deliver) through appointment only!
• Staff can be present at the dealership only to the extent necessary to conduct sales remotely or electronically. They must remain at home / work from home otherwise.
• Dealers cannot keep the showroom open. Only staff that is necessary to complete the in-person vehicle return or delivery or to operate sales remotely or electronically may be at the dealership during the times dealers set appointments with consumers.
• Dealers CANNOT allow customers to test-drive cars.
• Dealers must follow the New York Department of Health guidance regarding disinfecting the workplace: Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for COVID-19

We cannot express firmly enough that you MUST follow these rules. WE COULD LOSE THE EXEMPTION IF THE RULES ARE BROKEN, AND YOUR DEALERSHIP MAY ENCOUNTER FINES. YOU MUST COMPLY!

UPDATE March 26: Good news!
Dear Dealers,

As you are aware, NYIADA has been advocating to re-open dealerships in New York State. We have been calling on Governor Cuomo, the White House, Empire Development Corp. and speaking with the DMV, requesting an exemption and change to “essential status” for Independent Dealerships.

We are overjoyed to announce that today Empire Development Corp. authorized dealer sales: Guidance for Determining whether a Business is Subject to a Workforce Reduction under Recent Executive Orders enacted to address the Covid-19 outbreak.

Here is the authorization language:
“automotive sales conducted remotely or electronically, with in-person vehicle return and delivery by appointment only.”

This language allows dealers to sell vehicles over the phone and over the internet and schedule in-person vehicle return and delivery by appointment only.

This change allows our independent dealers to continue to sell vehicles to our population, who need vital transportation for individual and family safety and maintenance purposes during this time. This will mitigate negative economic repercussions which would have occurred for a full closure as well.

We will continue to update our members with information as we receive it.

NYIADA is here to support you during this time. Now more than ever, it is important that we stick together; as you can see with this update, we are a successful team!

Please continue to reach out with questions, concerns, ideas, or comments. I am here for you.

Sincerely,

Paula Frendel
Executive Director
NYIADA
[email protected]
(855) 694-2324

UPDATE: March 25, 2020

• NYIADA Executive Director asks Governor to classify independent dealerships as essential businesses. Read the entire letter here.

• The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association is calling on the White House to include auto sales as an essential service. Please click here for full details.

UPDATE: March 23, 2020

UPDATE: March 20, 2020
Governor Cuomo Issues “New York State on Pause” Executive Order, Albany NY

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has released a memo Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 containing the following information:

Just wanted to let you know, DMV is open for business. Starting today we’ll be serving issuing office customers by reservation only on the following dates in the following offices:

Today, March 18 – Peekskill, White Plains, Yonkers, West Haverstraw
March 19 – Bethpage, Garden City, Massapequa, Port Jefferson, Hauppauge, Huntington, Medford, Riverhead
March 20 – College Point, Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, Harlem, License Express, Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan- Greenwich Street, Brooklyn-Atlantic Center, Brooklyn-Coney Island, Bronx Registration Center, Bronx License Center, Richmond, Albany District Office, Syracuse, North Syracuse Our District Office.

VERIFI is operational – and will continue to function normally. Vehicle Safety staff will be available to respond to dealer needs when necessary. Automotive Facility Inspectors have been temporarily reassigned to assist with the Department of Health call center, but are available to address any dealer concerns on a case by case basis. Our Partnering and Document Distribution Unit is staffed and available to assist your members. And, I’m at my desk, so let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Check the DMV website (“Cancellations, closings and delays” page) for information about status of individual county clerk-run offices.

If DMV status changes, I will let you know. I trust you’re all heeding CDC/DOH guidance to avoid exposure. Stay safe.

Thanks,

Thomas Higgins
Deputy Commissioner for Compliance

We will keep you updated with important information as we receive it.