Car dealership with branch in Inverness says it is following new coronavirus regulations
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A car dealership with a branch in Inverness has said it is complying with the new stricter coronavirus regulations introduced in Scotland this week.
Concerns were raised by a member of the public that staff at Arnold Clark Mercedes-Benz were still working in the city's Longman Road showroom rather than from home.
But a spokeswoman at the company's Glasgow headquarters said clarification had been sought from the Scottish Government and Trading Standards to ensure the company was working within the guidelines.
"Since level four restrictions were imposed almost nationally prior to Christmas, all of our branches in Scotland have continued to operate via our Click and Collect and home delivery services, and our aftersales departments continued to remain open and accessible to customers, in line with government guidance," she said.
"Following the first minister’s announcement on Monday, we sought further clarification from both the government and trading standards, and we are able to continue safely providing these services to our customers within government guidelines.
"While guidance states that retail showrooms must remain closed, it is clear that Click and Collect and home delivery services can continue to operate where goods are purchased online.
"Our digital journey ensures that customers can engage with us online while our rigorous Covid-19 safety measures in branch mean that the minimal employees that are preparing and delivering vehicles, can do so safely.
"Our extensive safety measures remain implemented throughout our branches, with personal protective equipment and hygiene material available at all sites."
She said while the increased regulations across the UK did not impact the company's ability to provide these services, the welfare employees remained its priority.
"We communicated with all employees on the same day as the new announcements to advise that where possible to do so effectively, employees should work from home," she said.
"We are working closely with our IT department to ensure that extra equipment is provided where needed to ensure this can happen.
"Any employee that cannot work from home has been given access to download a letter confirming that they are travelling for work that is within government guidance but that cannot be completed at home."
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