Service Center Coronavirus Support

At Intoxalock, we are taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. Our team is actively exploring options to provide you the absolute best possible solution and wanted to take a moment and share some important information that can help you maintain a healthy environment in the interim.

Prior to sending install equipment, we use a medical sanitizing machine with a special cleaning formula to sanitize all devices before they ship from our warehouse.

You may want to share your cleaning process with customers at the time of their appointment to ease any possible concern. Below are several precautionary steps we recommend that can be used to reduce the spread of infection.

• If you are not comfortable providing a sample during a repair appointment, the customer or designated individual should remain at the SC in order to provide the needed sample
• An alternate option would be to place the vehicle in Neutral and roll/push it into the service bay
• Evaluate the possibility of providing service where the vehicle is parked
• Practice proper handwashing
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Throw all used tissues in the trash right away and wash your hands immediately after handling used tissues
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as door handles and countertops, using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• During a recalibration appointment use disinfectant wipes or gloves before handling a customer’s device or when getting into a customer’s vehicle
• Keep distance from individuals that are ill and stay home if you are not feeling well
• You may also request additional mouthpieces for customer use or protective gloves for equipment handling by emailing your request to servicecenter@intoxalock.com

In extreme circumstances, Intoxalock may be able to assist with an alternative option to activate a spare handheld, in the rare event that a customer is not present to provide a sample and the car must be moved. Please contact STAN at 877-327-9130 or email STAN@intoxalock.com for additional details on the use of a Service Center-assigned handheld.

We are actively engaged in alternative solutions in addition to the above to alleviate concerns related to equipment handling. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available in our ongoing effort to limit risk related to COVID-19. We would welcome your feedback on additional options to alleviate concerns related to COVID-19 and device handling.

Non-Auto Repair Shops as Essential Business

It is our belief that the servicing of ignition interlocks is an essential function that should continue during this time. To further support your interlock-related operations, we recommend that you take the following steps:

1. Carry a copy of your service center or technician certification issued by your State with you as you transition to and from your service center in the event you are stopped by local law enforcement.
2. Print this letter and keep it nearby while you are providing ignition interlock services to Intoxalock customers.
3. Advertise on the outside of your business with signs, banners, window clings or anything you might have that include the Intoxalock logo to show that the services you are providing are related to Intoxalock ignition interlocks.
4. Include language on your website that makes it clear that you remain open to provide servicing of Intoxalock ignition interlocks to mandated customers in the state who might be driving in order to provide essential services to those in need.
5. If allowed by your State, consider electronically filing an amendment to your Secretary of State filing to include in the description of services that your business provides, “servicing of ignition interlocks” if you are able to write in the type of services, and if not, to the closest “retail” category. In some states you can electronically file an amendment for minimal costs ($15-$30) and it is accepted immediately.

Auto Repair Shops as Essential Business

As you are aware, as a result of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak, various State governments have issued orders that require businesses to close for a period of time unless the business provides an essential function. We are receiving many questions about how these government orders affect our service centers. As these questions come up and additional orders are issued, we wanted to provide you with information on whether or not our service centers fall into the category of an “essential business” or providing an “essential function” and, as a result, can remain open during this time.

We have been monitoring the situation in each State, and based on the information being provided by these States and the federal government, we believe that Intoxalock service centers that operate as auto repair shops are considered “essential businesses” that are allowed to remain open during this time. For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified individuals that work at “automotive repair and maintenance facilities” as “essential critical infrastructure workers” in its COVID-19 response documents. New York State has stated that “auto repair” is considered an essential service in its guidance materials. The California Department of Public Health has identified the infrastructure sector, including transportation and the ability to move people and goods, as exempt from the order to stay home. In addition, to date, we have not seen guidance from any governmental body that has declared that automobile repair shops are not essential businesses, but we will certainly let you know, as soon as we know, if that changes in your State.

Our service centers provide a critical function – they allow individuals the ability to drive, whether it is for an emergency situation or other essential purpose. Based on the guidance that has been released to date by federal, state and local governments, Intoxalock believes that our service centers are essential businesses that provide essential functions and, as a result, can continue to operate during this time. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as necessary and appropriate. If you have questions as to whether your service center qualifies as an “essential business” because you provide something other than automotive repair, or to obtain the most up-to-date information, please visit your State government’s website.