Auto repair facilities and employees who repair and maintain vehicles are essential, according to revised guidance from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
While a recent memo from the department “is solely intended to provide guidance to states in determining essential employees for the purposes of shut down or shelter in place orders, many states have referenced the list in their executive orders,” say Auto Care Association officials.
“The Auto Care Association was pleased that (the department) included the following two items on the revised list of essential workers:
- Automotive repair, maintenance, and transportation equipment manufacturing and distribution facilities (including those who repair and maintain electric vehicle charging stations;.
- Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, bicycles, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers.
“These revisions should provide additional clarification to state and local officials in developing and enforcing their executive orders to include repair shops and those up the supply chain that allow those facilities to repair and maintain light and heavy duty vehicles, which are necessary to ensure mobility during the current crisis.
