SLDP Foyle MLA Ma\rk H Durkan
The owner of a Derry car wash and tyre business has said he cannot understand why police told him he was breaching Covid regulations after visiting his premises a day after the latest lockdown came into force.
Connor Thornton is contracted by a number of other businesses – including Parcel Force, River Ridge, Tayto and NIE – to keep their vehicles clean.
He also sells tyres – which is deemed an essential business.
He has been allowed to continue this aspect of his business but not to wash vehicles.
Mr Thornton said his contact with motorists using his car washing business is minimal and in no way breaches the Government guidelines of social distancing.
He said: “I have letters from a whole host of other companies that I have been contracted to clean, stating that it is important their vehicles are kept washed – but the police have told me if I open I will be fined.
“No motorist coming here to get their vehicle washed gets out of their car and we operate a contactless payment facility so there is no actual contact between us and the motorist so there is no breach of social distancing guidelines.
“We have a tyre depot on site and a MoT wash on site – which are considered essential as far as I know – but I don’t understand why we cannot keep our business open.”
Mark H Durkan said he will now raise the matter on behalf of Mr Thornton and others in a similar position.
He said: “It is important that clarity is provided to business owners in this sector who are largely small businesses but who are providing employment and where there is minimal risk of transmission because people do not even leave their cars.”
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