Car washes permitted to reopen following short closure in Muskingum County

Car+washes+permitted+to+reopen+following+short+closure+in+Muskingum+County

By Staff Report

The Muskingum County Joint Unified Command Center has allowed local car washes to reopen after implementing limitations on how business is conducted.

Bee Clean Express Car Wash owner Beau Hankinson said the updated guidance recognizes car washes under the repairs and maintenance portion of the state order identifying essential business in Ohio.

“Most people think of a car wash as a ‘I want to get my car clean and shiny,’ and they don’t think about the fact that we are actually removing contaminants from hard surfaces of the vehicle,” Hankinson elaborated.

The multi-part update by the Command Center is designed to limit interactions between customers and employees the notice read.

Self-service car washes are permitted as long as there is an attendant on site to sanitize equipment such as vacuum hoses and sprayers between each use.

All other car washes are limited to exterior cleaning for the general public, while interior cleaning or detailing may be done for those serving essential governmental functions such as the police, fire or emergency medical service (EMS) personnel.

For Hankinson, he said he appreciates the local community support, “we’re here as a public service, it’s not a time we’re making money, but we want to be here to take care of first responders, as well as the other essential businesses.”

“We have seen a lot of doctors, nurses, police, ubers, and restaurant delivery people here,” Hankinson continued as he discussed the many essential workers who have come through looking to keep their vehicles clean and sanitized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bee Clean will be offering free car washes for the various law enforcement agencies, as well as Genesis Hospital, for the entire month of April due to the increased exposure they have because of their occupations.

Clarification: Free car washes will only be available to those vehicles owned by law enforcement agencies or Genesis Hospital.