Shelter in place order issued for 6 NorCal Counties — Extension to all of California expected

COVID-19 TASK FORCE ALERT

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Contributors

You may have heard that 6 Northern California counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara) have issued a “shelter in place” order, shutting down all non-essential businesses until April 7, 2020, unless extended. “Essential Businesses” include “gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities”. As such, your dealerships should continue its service and parts operations. We have been in touch with the California New Car Dealers Association and they have confirmed this.

Additionally, under these Orders, non-essential businesses are still permitted to conduct “Minimum Basic Operations”, provided “Social Distancing Requirements” are met. “Minimum Basic Operations” include minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions. They also include minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.

We expect this “shelter in place” Order to be extended to the rest of the state within the next 24 to 48 hours and will keep you advised in the event of that development.

Dealers have additional obligations with respect to employees of non-fixed-operations or those who are sent home related to a downturn in business. Please call if you need additional guidance. Be safe and stay healthy.