NTDA: Tyre retailers, garages are “essential” during lockdown

Following the news that everyone in the UK should stay at home and therefore the country has entered a de facto lockdown, the government has published exceptions to that rule of key businesses include garages. In light of this and the closure of schools the week before, the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has reaffirmed the association’s support of tyre centres.

In answer to Tyres & Accessories’ questions on the subject, chief executive Stefan Hay said: “Firstly, due to the essential role our tyre technicians play in keeping the supply chain flowing [tyre retailers] are considered key workers and are fully covered by the definition previously published by the government.

“Furthermore, very few, if any, NTDA members only fit tyres. Our members carry out a range of wider automotive aftercare services such as repair, servicing and vehicle maintenance.

“With this in mind, they are, without doubt, essential to maintaining our transport infrastructure and fall, fully, into the Garage definition.”

Can open, but don’t have to – PPE essential

However, while the NTDA stands behind its members’ status as key workers and the fact that these businesses should be able to stay open during the outbreak, there isn’t the compulsion to do so either.

“Naturally, some of our members and other tyre distributors may choose to close, but that is their own, personal, business decision.

“We urge that those members who remain open ensure their employees have adequate PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] such as rubber gloves, face/dust masks and have access, at all times, to soap and hand wash facilities.

“They should also ensure social distancing arrangements are implemented to limit, as best possible, interaction between technicians and customers”, Stefan Hay concluded.