Automated car washes can stay open during lockdown

The Car Wash Association (CWA) and Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) represent the 5,350 independent forecourt operators and specialist car wash companies across the UK. This covers 65 per cent of the total fuel outlets (PFS) with more than 50 per cent having high-quality Automated Car Washes (ACW).

Reflecting on the new National Lockdown announced by the Government last night, with all England moving to Tier 4, Brian Madderson, Chairman of the CWA, said: “We are pleased that the Government restrictions previously advised with Tier 4 regulations are unchanged, such that ACWs can continue to open. A vehicle with clean windows and mirrors definitely improves road safety, especially in these dark and dirty winter months. This is so important for essential workers, including NHS and all other medical staff”.

ACWs will be able to serve their communities unlike Hand (manual) Car Washes (HCWs) which have been required to close. The CWA supports this decision due to the higher-risk of COVID-19 transmission at these sites where often no PPE is available, social-distancing is impractical, especially when valeting car interiors, and in many cases cash is the only payment method accepted.