The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has launched a new ‘Covid-19 Compliance Scheme’ for garages to demonstrate to customers that their premises are safe.
The move comes as the government eases restrictions on movement and announces plans for non-essential retailers to re-open on 15 June. It is hoped that garages will be able to use it to reassure customers that every precaution is being taken in line with official safe working guidelines.
The IGA will also use the new scheme as the basis for its argument that workshops are safe spaces, and that the six-month MOT extension should be overturned.
The audits will be available from June at no cost to IGA member garages, and carried out by IGA personnel.
READ: IGA RAISE MOT EXTENSION CONCERNS WITH TRANSPORT MINISTER
IGA boss Stuart James said: “If members need guidance on how to minimise the possibility of spreading the virus to people on their premises, this audit will position them to be compliant within Government guidelines. Certification will be included, so garages can display this to customers and create a level of assurance that the environment is safe.
“The IGA is working extremely hard to provide evidence that independent garages have prepared their premises to be safe for customers, so that the MOT extension can be stopped. Our aim is to support the Government and meet their requirements to bring back the MOT, which will assist with the UK’s economic recovery.”
The trade body has been vocal about the potentially damaging impact of the MOT extension scheme, recently joining the SMMT and IAAF in writing to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to express its concerns, chief among which is that roads are getting busier as the lockdown lifts, and many vehicles could be in an unsafe condition.
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