With Nissan dealerships across the Philippines gearing up to re-open by May 16 (those in GCQ areas have resumed operations as early as May 6), the carmaker has announced new health and safety guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19.

Prior to opening, Nissan dealerships will be conducting a wall-to-wall disinfection of facilities, followed by thrice-daily sanitation of the facility. Dealer personnel will be provided with personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the workplace, such as face shields, face masks, and disposable plastic gloves.

Customers will likewise be requested also wear PPEs when entering dealership premises, and will be provided with complimentary face masks and plastic gloves if they have none. Measures such as contactless temperature checks, daily health monitoring of symptoms for employees, and limiting the number of people inside the dealerships will also be implemented.

Disinfection, sanitation, and physical distancing guidelines will also be implemented in sales and service operations. This covers activities such as test drives, product demonstrations, vehicle maintenance and delivery, road side assistance, as well as marketing activities.

For example, test drives will be limited to two people including the driver. Customer appointments will be prioritized over walk-ins. Online and telecommuting solutions for customer interactions are greatly recommended. Existing vehicle disinfection and sanitation procedures will become more strict and stringent.

The Nissan Customer Assistance Center will also be advising customers on the health and safety guidelines when they call in for service appointments or showroom visits.

“Even though we are entering a ‘new normal’ as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to provide excellent customer service and experience remains the same. Our priority right now is to keep our customers and employees safe and healthy in our dealerships through these guidelines,” said Atsushi Najima, president and managing director of Nissan in the Philippines.