Have your detailing operation designated an “Essential Business”. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis is Having a Serious Impact on Community Health in Australia. At times like this, the ACWA can play a critical role in ensuring that members are informed and galvanized in a community. Through membership, we can help you find support if you need it and, most importantly, make it easier to learn from the experience of others.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 landscape differs from state to state and changes rapidly, making it difficult to keep up with the latest rules and regulations. The COVID-19 Resource Center provides the car wash industry with an information and liaison center to help us all overcome the difficult times ahead. Rules across the country change, sometimes daily and even hourly. The ACWA encourages members to read regular updates to the bulletin it sends and to monitor their state government's COVID website.
Each state is responsible for governing its own lockdown restrictions and it is not known when and what new regulations will take effect. Even though commercial car washing is not only safe for COVID and provides a valuable community hygiene service, some state governments have ordered the industry to shut down during lockdowns. On these occasions, the ACWA has taken a proactive role in requesting governments on behalf of members. However, in some situations, health authorities have taken a belligerent approach and ordered industries to shut down to prevent any necessary public movement.
Most state governments have surpassed the concept of essential services in their confinement conditions. The only way to determine if the car wash can continue to operate in your state during lockdown or restrictions is to carefully read the state's Chief Health Officer Instructions. Rules and regulations are complex, so if in doubt, seek legal advice. Governments have moved away from the original notion of essential service to simply identify companies they deem necessary during lockdown.
Depending on the wording of the Director of Health or Medical Officer Instructions, the sale of some specific products may allow a car wash to continue operating under some regulations. Carefully evaluate the details of CMO regulations and seek legal advice if you are unsure. Members are encouraged to use the free ESSA consulting service or matters related to staff working conditions. The ACWA encourages members considering shutting down to work with their equipment suppliers on the safest and most efficient way to manage the complete shutdown.
No one needs to tell them, news updates and our daily conversations with colleagues, friends and family are constant reminders. It is also affecting the business and economic circumstances of all Australians in ways we would never have imagined. No one is sure where the coronavirus journey will lead to our industry and, more importantly, to Australia. However, it is these types of situations that make membership in an organization such as ACWA even more critical.
At times like this, the ACWA can play a critical role in ensuring that members are informed and galvanized in a supportive community. Through membership, we will find support if we need it and, more importantly, we will learn from the experience of others. This website has been developed with just that in mind. However, in this rapidly changing environment, every homeowner and laundry provider must observe the instructions given by elected government officials.
The best way to stay on top of announcements is to check the State and Federal Government Department of Health websites. The links are listed on this website. It is imperative that car wash centers do everything in their power to ensure the safety of staff and customers. ACWA community safety posters reinforce the need for customers to maintain social distancing principles while in the car wash and highlight ways their car wash location helps ensure customer safety.
The ACWA takes its obligation to keep our members up to date very seriously. We do this by sending email newsletters when we think there is an important announcement. Most email newsletters are recorded in the news navigation of this website. However, the COVID-19 environment changes rapidly, and conditions at any time often depend on state and location.
With so many communications required, the ACWA has chosen to segment its communications on a state-by-state basis. We'll do our best to keep you up to date, but we also encourage those working in the car wash industry to monitor appropriate government websites. They are listed on this page. Each of us has a civic obligation to help control the virus.
By doing this, we will make a small contribution to saving the lives of our fellow Australians. Allowing customers to continue using our equipment as they always have, is not forcing us or our industry to meet our obligation. It can't be as usual, every business and every person in Australia is asked to play their part, ACWA employs all members to take on the challenge of contributing to society by being safe from COVID at all times. We also have a duty to our employees.
This is not only a community duty, for many of us, but it is also our legal responsibility as directors of the company. We must do everything in our power to ensure that customers using our equipment and onsite services do not infect our staff. They deserve that commitment on our part. To help with our obligations to staff and the community, ACWA IR and WHS partners (ESSA and Eastman Lynch, respectively) have prepared comprehensive guides for the car wash industry.
These documents can be found in the members section of this website. Until 18 months ago, no one had heard of the concept of social distancing. However, it's something we all have to deal with. Social distancing is one of the government's key strategies for all of us to overcome this health crisis and keep the pressure off our health services.
Every member of the car wash industry has an integral role to play, so be part of the solution by ensuring that your workplace adheres to strict social distancing guidelines. Car washes are also reminded of their obligation to administer the state-sanctioned QR Code Business Registry and they always have a Covid Safe Plan for the car wash location. States are managing and controlling COVID at different speeds, and each has implemented its own regime and rules. Right now, Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT are recording record numbers of infections and these states have the most stringent lockdown regulations in the country.
However, restrictions in all states change constantly and rapidly. ACWA takes this opportunity to remind you to regularly check state and federal health websites for the most current information. ACWA Summary on Grants and Funding Opportunities for Those Affected by Lockdowns The federal government collaboratively contributes to many state business programs, its contribution is found in the State Summaries below. Federal Government COVID-19 Disaster Pay Supports Workers Negatively Affected by Statewide Public Health Orders.
This lump sum payment is designed to help workers who are unable to earn income due to a state COVID-19 lockdown or movement restriction. Schema runs by invitation only. And, all ACWA members who met the small business criteria have been personally invited by the Government to be a party to the agreement. QLD Government Support Packages South Australia Funding Opportunities Australian Capital Territory Funding Opportunities On August 31, the Governments of Australia and ACT announced an extension of COVID-19 business support grants to align with the extension of the ACT lockdown until August 17 September.
Current Queensland Government Restrictions NT Government COVID Information ACWA members should log in to the members area of this website to gain exclusive access to resources that help them overcome the COVID-19 crisis. International COVID-19 Data and Graphs John Hopkins Medical University Always check the news page of the ACWA website for the latest updates. And be part of the conversation on Facebook. My ACWA membership provides me with the opportunity to contribute to a voice for the industry, which in turn influences important regulatory decision makers.
Hand Car Wash Member Geoff Burnett WA. AKRON, Ohio Car washes across the country are implementing different measures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While many choose to remain open and change some business practices, others have found it wise to close their doors for the time being. In addition, manufacturers are also taking action.
Here is a list of responses car washes and manufacturers have had to the crisis. Customers can still comfortably wash their cars through the tunnel without having to leave their vehicles, the statement continued. Managing customer concerns efficiently and effectively will demonstrate to your current and potential customers that you are behind their auto detailing work. According to Chuck Space, executive director of the Southwest Car Wash Association (SCWA), car washes are considered an essential business, a notion that is supported by a memorandum provided by the Homeland Security office.
A successful auto detailing business can provide interior detailing and related services to trucks, RVs, boats, planes, and more. Like other washes, Benny's Car Wash is practicing the guidelines recommended by the CDC and the Coronavirus Task Force appointed by the president. While a different type of storm cloud has slowed the growth rate in the professional car wash and detailing industry and as many U. Like many other businesses, Benny's Car Wash was forced to make difficult decisions regarding its employees.
Your website should tell a story, introduce your team, equipment, and how you solve people's car cleaning problems. As you start and provide a complete, quality car cleaning service, your business can grow exponentially. During Phase 2, in addition to continuing with Phase 1 practices, Express Wash Concepts took additional steps by shutting down vacuums, shutting down the office, and minimizing on-site staff to two employees per site. Your personal work as an owner, the variety of car detailing services you offer, the quality of your car detailing vaporizer and your marketing will all contribute to the success of your business.
In order to keep the business running for employees and customers of washes, the McKenna team tried to transition from full-service to express washes. . .
