Car dealers that plan to reopen their showrooms on June 1 must adhere to the UK Government’s recovery strategy guidance and remain ‘COVID-19 Secure’, says licence checking specialist Licence Bureau.

As part of the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy issued new health and safety at work guidance, last updated on May 19.

Included was Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Vehicles (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/vehicles) providing guidance for people who work in or from vehicles.

Divided into eight sections, the document sets-out the considerations and practical steps for employers, employees and the self-employed to address in relation to working in or from a vehicle as England moves into step one of the roadmap to lift restrictions.

Steve Pinchen, sales director at Licence Bureau, said: “COVID-19 Secure is a new compliance measure that all businesses now need to adhere to, and that includes those who drive for business.

“We are reinforcing the governments very clear guidance on the subject and that is that everyone needs to assess and manage the risks of COVID-19. As an employer, you also have a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risk to their health and safety.”

The Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Vehicles sets out eight areas of focus for businesses and individuals to consider in order to assess risk and take preventative measures. It encourages businesses to share the results of any risk assessment with their workforce with an expectation that those with over 50 employees would publish on their website.

Further guidance on the safe operation of car dealerships was issued by The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), which outlines a series of comprehensive safety measures covering showroom interactions, vehicle demos and test-drives.