Workshops remain open with hygiene and distancing controls, confirms the AMA Group.
Despite the day-by-day uncertainty of the Covid-19 coronavirus situation, links in the trucking and bus supply chain continue to advise proponents and customers on the status of their services.
Listed vehicle aftercare and accessories firm AMA Group says its repair sites are still open for bookings and that it is utilising best-practice hygiene measures and thorough cleaning procedures to protect its team and customers.
It outlines its workplace adjustments in a communique.
“Continuing to be a vital link in the supply chain of the ‘essential services’ of transport and logistics is paramount,” AMA heavy vehicle division CEO Darren Wales said.
“Our strong advice to supplier representatives is that travel to AMA sites should be temporarily avoided unless absolutely necessary.
“Communication between our businesses can essentially be managed by phone, email or online via teams.
“If you are required to be on site, please seek approval from a member of our team prior to visiting.”
Wales adds the entire group is prioritising the safety and health of its workers, customers and suppliers through proactive steps to implement policies and advice provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health.
This includes:
- all vehicles arriving at, and departing from, repair sites are sanitised prior to hand back, including disinfecting hard surfaces such as the steering wheel, gear knob, hand brake and door handles;
- technicians disinfect their hands prior to working on vehicles;
- a strict ‘no-touch’ policy is in place until further notice (staff/customers/suppliers should refrain from any handshaking).
TRADING AS NORMAL – FOR NOW
Such a message is amplified by an offical statement on the AMA Group webite (undated) by CEO Andy Hopkins.
It states: “With the ongoing development of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please be assured that AMA is prioritising the safety of everyone who work for us, and with us.”
“We have already taken proactive steps to face the challenge by implementing the policies and advice provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health, as well as taking internal action to support our suppliers and our customers.
“We would like to reassure you that AMA Panel shops will remain open for bookings and that our panel shops and parts business will continue trading as normal for now.
“AMA is supporting our employees with information advising the status of the virus, and best-practice hygiene to help our team, and those we interact with outside our business, to stay safe and healthy.
“One of the measures we have taken is to cancel all non-essential travel, this includes non-essential business travel and also includes holidays abroad to affected areas. The government advice is that you should definitely cancel any trips overseas and stay in Australia.
“As of today the Department of Health has mandated anyone who enters Australia must self-isolate for 14 days, including Australian residents.
“The status of COVID-19 is changing by the hour, and this is defining how we work and the precautions we should take in the community. These include avoid attending public gatherings or sporting events, and events where the attendance of 500 or more people are banned until further notice. We should also reduce social contact by not shaking hands and avoiding close contact from each other.
“AMA is also temporarily reconfiguring our business to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Our critical infrastructure including IT, administration and HR have been divided into separate groups in separate sites, and a number of employees are working from home.
“While Covid-19 presents an enormous challenge, we would like to assure you that AMA is taking every step to protect our people, our partners and our customers,” he stated.
Photography: Ben Hosking