Quebec’s province-wide lockdown that officially took effect on Dec. 25, 2020 will now continue until Feb. 8, 2021, with the addition of a few new elements — including a curfew.
For dealers operating in La Belle Province, there are some changes from the holiday lockdown: dealership service departments can remain open for the repair or maintenance of a vehicle — including repair and maintenance centres. This means that mechanical workshops, the parts department and the body shop are considered essential services and can remain open with all employees whose positions are deemed necessary to conduct these activities. Dealers can therefore maintain activities such as recalls, oil changes and repairs.
However, the sales department will remain closed, although some sales may be completed online while respecting the constraints set out by the Consumer Protection Act and the AMF, according to the Quebec Dealer’s Association (the Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles du Québec). Test drives are prohibited, but door-to-door pickup is possible. Vehicles can be delivered to consumers in the dealership parking lot, but under no circumstances can the customer enter the building.
“It is urgent to reduce contact between Quebecers. What I ask all Quebecers is to stay at home, to leave their homes only when absolutely necessary,” said Québec Premier François Legault. “We are in a race against time and, at the moment, the virus is moving faster than us.”
For dealership employees whose physical presence is deemed necessary to conduct authorized activities, they can continue their work at the dealership. For example, since online sales are permitted an esthetician can prepare the vehicle for delivery.
Québec Premier François Legault
The most noteworthy addition to the extended lockdown is a curfew that will span four weeks, covering the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. It is considered the first of its kind in Canada. The fine for breaking the curfew starts around $1,000 and can increase to several thousands of dollars. According to the CCAQ, dealers must close their doors as of 7:30 p.m., but employees can continue to conduct maintenance and repair vehicles. It is also worth noting that workers in essential services must provide an official document attesting to the reasons why they are driving on Quebec roads during curfew hours. (You can find the French document here.)
Quebec has been in a partial lockdown since last fall, although dealership sales departments were still permitted to remain open during that period. The December lockdown imposed stricter rules that continue into the new year. Dealers will begin 2021 similarly to last spring, when they were permitted to open their service departments for essential services after being completely closed.
“I remain convinced that we are putting all the chances on our side by adopting these new measures, with the sustained collaboration of the majority of Quebecers,” said Christian Dubé, Quebec’s Minister of Health and Social Services. “It seems that the progression of this second wave is stronger than ever, which is why I appeal to all of you to put in the extra effort, time to get the hang of it by February 8th.”
Read the full French release here for more details.
