Dear CEO Members,

Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, hereby issue the Directions dated 12 May 2020 regarding the sale of cars and emergency automobile repairs for alert level 4 lockdown.

Permitted trading activities
New and used cars can be traded in, including wholesale trade by OEMs and importers; export and imports through national ports with strict guidelines. Trade-in purchases, car lease scheme returns and wholesale trading of used cars.

The proper functioning of the supply chain must be present. It is necessary that the various administrative and other functionaries must be in operational order and meet strict standards.

Car sales will be allowed under the following conditions:

Phase 1: All dealerships and used car outlets will operate with up to 30% of employment, the majority of car sales will be done remotely via the internet or e-Commerce or telephone. All other operations will be conducted with strict hygiene, social distancing and online where possible.

Phase 2: Similar to phase 1, however, operations will be up to 60 % of employment, the majority of car sales will be done remotely via the internet or e-Commerce or telephone. All other operations will be conducted with strict hygiene, social distancing and online where possible. Appointments will be made for test drives and site pick-ups.

PHASE 3: From 8 June 2020 until Alert Level 4 is Lifted: All dealerships and used car outlets will operate with up to 100% of employment. Social distancing to be adhered too and strict hygiene norms applied.

Further Directions in relation to the sale of cars :
All dealerships and used car outlets will ensure limited employment to comply with COVID-19 risk mitigation measures. These measures include social distancing, sanitisation procedures; face masks are worn; sick employees sent home for testing; manadorty screening and monitoring entrances by signing of registers.

Members who are dealerships are to ensure ongoing training and awareness of hygiene protocols act in compliance with risk-adjusted measures for occupational health and safety as a prerequisite for operation

Support and Enablement Services
In order to improve efficiency and support car sales, Car testing centres; Homologation services from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications [NRCS]; Weighbridges and logistics of cars to be driven must all be in line with strict protocols.

3. Emergency Automobile Repairs
All car maintenance and repairs will be confirmed through appointment only. Unsolicited walk-ins will only be allowed under exceptional and emergency circumstances and must be recorded.

Members of the public will not be allowed to enter the workshop environment. Emergency car repairs are:
1. passenger cars    (PCs),
2. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV),
3. Medium Commercial Vehicles (MCV),
4.Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV), Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicles (XHCV),
5. Inclusive of buses, motorcycles, trailers, caravans, agricultural or any other implement designed or adapted to be drawn by such a car.

The following categories are not classified as emergency car repairs:
(a) Cosmetic repairs, such as minor scratches and dents or cosmetic enhancements;
(b)  voluntary or routine servicing that is not overdue in terms of manufacturer’s service intervals; and
(c) warranty campaigns of a cosmetic nature unless warranty is due to expire within 30 days of the intended repair date.

Parts Supply and Logistics
Aftersales car servicing and parts sales should operate to support regular services and maintenance of cars under Alert Level 4 and to avoid or minimise any mechanical breakdown.

Strict trading risk-adjusted measures, hygiene and social distancing restrictions apply to:
1. Auto electricians;
2. tyre fitment, windscreen replacement centres;
3. bond stores and parts distribution centres;
4. motor body repairers; and
5. any other related business that can attend to the mentioned repairs.

Support services should operate at the same minimum pace, except for bond stores and parts distribution centres which shall operate at 50% from Phase One and ramp up thereafter.

The website link is: www.gov.za

To view the full Directive, click here.

For any questions, please contact our office at (012) 880 0294 and/or e-mail us at cb@ceosa.org.za

CEO National Collective Bargaining Team