Garages have avoided the threat of a six week lay-off under new Coronavirus restrictions. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, has announced that the country will move to Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday, meaning thousands of businesses now face closure until December 1st. However, the new provisions include an extended list of essential services, which mean that garages, bodyshops, motor factors, parts and equipment suppliers and other businesses related to the repair of motor vehicles are allowed to remain open.

Unlike the restriction introduced in March, garages and related services are allowed to stay open for normal business and are not restricted to the repair of vehicles for essential services and front line workers. NCT centres will also continue to carry out testing in relation to all appointments already made.

The latest government restrictions state that in relation to classification of essential services the following applies:   

“Services relating to the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment:

(a) the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment (including mechanically propelled vehicles, industrial machinery and equipment) for essential services;

(b) the repair of mechanically propelled vehicles or the repair of bicycles and related facilities.

This means that garages and bodyshops repairing vehicles are classed as essential and can stay open, as can related facilities which would include motor factors and parts suppliers. However, car sales outlets are not classed as essential and will need to close.

It should of course be stressed that all garages and related businesses that remain open should operate under strict social distancing and hygiene protocols to restrict the possibility of virus transmission.