PRA appeals to NI Executive for Automated Car Washes to be allowed through lockdown
The PRA has made several appeals to the NI Executive to appeal its position on ACW (Automated Car Washes) closure during the six week lockdown that started at 12.01am on 26th December. Automated car washes include rollovers, conveyors and jet washes.
The NI Executive guidance on NI Direct states that: “Car washes are only permitted to open for the cleaning and disinfection of vehicles for the purposes of food safety, infection control or animal disease control. No domestic vehichles.” (sic)
The Petrol Retailers Association had appealed to the NI Executive to follow the advice issued by the Westminster government in respect of the automatic car washes during Tier 4 restrictions in England – which is that automated car washes can stay open as there is no third party human interaction which means negligible risk of spreading the virus. Manual (hand) car washes are closed – due to general lack of PPE, no self-distancing, problems when valeting interiors and mainly cash only payment – which all increased the potential for transmission.
Appeals
The PRA made several appeals to the NI Executive in the days leading up to and including Christmas Eve.
NI Executive told the PRA “The regulations will apply from 12:01am on 26 December for six weeks with a review after four weeks. During this period car washes are not permitted to open for domestic vehicles. The Executive message to individuals (is) to stay at home. The new restrictions are being put into place to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and to help manage the pressures on our health and social care system.”
However the PRA appealed again, using its comparison with the Westminster government as its basis –
“This is a matter we have successfully raised with the Westminster Government and is now clarified with the latest Tier 4 guidelines as detailed in my correspondence to your Ministers. We argued that is clear that car washes operate an essential service for the purposes of ensuring the roadworthiness and safety of vehicles on the road generally” said PRA’s Brian Madderson.
Vehicle safety
He pointed out that to the NI Executive that car washes ensure that vehicles are safer to operate in respect of visibility (clean and clear windows); maintaining functioning lights (important so that vehicles can see and be seen); and reducing the risk of hazards from mud on wheels and chassis.
“This is especially important at this wet and muddy time of year for the many “essential workers” such as doctors, nurses, carers, ambulance and police drivers etc who do not always have the time or facilities to clean their own vehicles” continued Brian.
“The NI Assembly has just sensibly relaxed the opening hours for Filling Stations to permit sale of fuel between 8.00pm and 6.00am during the period 26 December to 2 January inclusive.
“Please relax your guidelines to allow ACW to remain open – this will not encourage a procession of domestic vehicles to break lockdown conditions solely to wash their vehicles.”
As of 30th December, the PRA was awaiting further response on this matter.
There has also been anecdotal evidence of inconsistency on the matter of car washes – with some self-serve jet wash bays being forced to close by the PSNI, while HCWs (manual/hand car washes) have remained open – even opposite a police station.
Other restrictions applicable to forecourts and convenience retailers from Boxing Day for six weeks include:
Essential retail must close between the hours of 8.00 pm and 6.00 am. Grocery click and collect services can operate between the hours of 8.00 pm and 6.00 am for orders already placed.
Petrol stations are permitted to open for fuel and air, and if in place, operate a night hatch system.
Take away and the delivery of take away food is not permitted between the hours of 8.00 pm and 6.00 am.
NR asked the NI Executive Covid Team for confirmation on its position regarding ACWs. An email response from the Covid team was received by NR on 31st December confirming that:
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 state at schedule 1 Regulation 4 (1.10)
Businesses, services providers and premises subject to closure –
Car washes except for the cleaning and disinfection of commercial vehicles for the purposes of food safety, infection control or animal disease control.
A copy of the Regulations and further guidance can be found at :
The Executive are asking people to stay at home, it is the most effective means by which we can limit the spread of COVID-19. Restricting contacts and movement will help to save lives and help the Health and Social Care system cope with current pressures.
