Tuesday March 31, 2020 ~ SOOKE, BC
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
Car repairs for nurses and other health care workers are top priority at Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, business has slowed down somewhat for the auto repair sector, so there’s the flexibility to get right down to working on vehicles that will keep essential workers on the road and to their destinations safely.
“Things are operating differently,” says Dumont Tirecraft Ltd shop owner Jason Dumont. “People can phone ahead, and we will come out meet them at their cars to see what repairs or services are needed so we can maintain physical distancing,” he told West Shore Voice News today.
Car repair shops are among those services that keep people moving during the province’s health emergency. “Day in and day out, your work secures the essential goods and services British Columbians count on,” said Premier John Horgan whose Langford-Juan de Fuca riding includes Sooke, and who has noted the importance of “everyone working in our health care system”.
The vehicles of health care workers and anyone else doing essential services during COVID-19 are top priority for Dumont and his repair shop crew. Important things right now are to make sure tires are okay, including air pressure. An oil change might not seem important, but if not done on a fairly regular basis that can age a vehicle more quickly than might otherwise be.
Regular customers might be surprised to discover that the door to the reception area is locked these days. Knocking on the side door of the office within the repair bay area is one way to get the attention of staff if they don’t already see you pull up.
Dumont says that all the auto repair shops in Sooke have collaborated to be open and closed on the same days. By agreement they are all closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This gives everyone a break.
Regular hours at Dumont Tirecraft during COVID-19 are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
If you need emergency repairs on your vehicle, just phone to leave a message: 250-642-6665.
For adhering to the cleaning protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, the debit machine is wiped down with Clorox, as are steering wheels on cars after they are serviced. Dumont and his repair team wear gloves for mechanical work normally, but now they wear their gloves all day long at the shop.
“People have come in these last few weeks with all sorts of necessary things to be done. They need new tires, their brakes are shot, struts have broken or calipers have seized,” Dumont listed off.
Dumont Tirecraft Ltd is located at 2079 Otter Point Road in central Sooke.