Michelle Primm, managing partner of the three-brand Cascade Auto Group in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, said one of her young Audi service technicians contracted the virus while he was on furlough.”It was a monthlong ordeal to get healthy,” she said of the employee, who has now recovered and is back to work. “And he’s very humble and he wants everybody to know, take this serious because it can happen to anybody.”
Each of the groups said they have implemented ample safety, cleaning and social distancing measures to keep staff and customers safe while in the dealership.
Fuccillo said face masks are mandatory. “You’re not allowed in any of our stores without a mask,” he said. “That goes for employees [and] clients. There’s zero tolerance.”
Cascade requires employees to wear masks unless medically impossible, Primm said. Ohio had required customers in Summit County where the stores are located to wear masks in public, and Primm said nearly everyone was complying. Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine made mask wearing mandatory inside businesses throughout the state.
Grappone’s employees must wear masks if they’re away from their work stations, or if they work within 6 feet of someone else, Osmer said. Customers aren’t required to wear masks, but Osmer said they are encouraged to and most do.
Gone from service waiting areas for now are the free pastries and coffee.
Primm said to serve food now, she would have to comply with state restaurant guidelines, and she asked for manufacturers to “take it easy on us” when it comes to such facility mandates. Vehicles also have had to be moved from showrooms to ensure social distancing.
“We’re here to service and sell cars. The extra stuff was really, really nice, but I really, truly don’t think customers care if we’re serving Danish or have the Keurig machine going right now,” she said. “They just want to be safe.”
