Published on: 17/03/2021 Updated on: 20/02/2025

Can car washes stay open?

Following up on the numerous requests for clarification received, the Federation of Car Wash Federation has hereby set out the reasons such that not only can car washes remain open regardless of the coloring of the areas but also users can use them without incurring any sanctions, as long as the rules related to spacing, and combating the spread of the virus, are observed.

First, it should be pointed out that the open activities i.e. those whose closure was not ordered in the last Decree Law, should be considered essential so the purchase of goods and services provided by them are configured in the terms of "necessity."

RED ZONES: GREEN LIGHT CAR WASHES

Having clarified the first aspect, it is necessary to point out that the activity of washing the means of transportation, as well as the purchase and maintenance of the car (dealerships, mechanics, body shops, electricians, tire shops, etc...) were considered essential by the legislature to ensure the safety, security and sanitation of the vehicles with which people travel by self-certification for the proven work, health or necessity needs that they declare.

To support the above claims there are OFFICIAL FAQs (the answers to recurring questions from Italians to the government). To the specific question "Dealerships open in the red zone, under the regulations that imposed the lockdown?" the answer received was "it is permissible to reach them to purchase a vehicle, have service performed on the vehicle, deliver a car to be scrapped, perform test-drives and more... The businesses in question are allowed to remain open as they are considered essential. The purchase of goods and services provided by them is in terms of necessity." In short, citizens have the right to go to dealerships, with self-certification, as Federauto (the federation of dealerships) also reminds us. Similarly, car washes, mechanics, body shops, electricians, tire shops, etc., can remain open in the red zone. There is no specific and explicit FAQ on this, but those businesses are among the exceptions to the closure. For a simple reason, as the CNA (National Confederation of Craftsmen) explains: they are essential activities for vehicles to circulate safely.

Car washes open? Yes, but in full compliance with the rules

Therefore, in full compliance with the rules of social distancing and sanitation of environments , it will be possible to go to car washes as long as you choose the one closest to your residence or included in the route subject to the proven needs (e.g., home-work).

It is clearly understood that the aforementioned professional activity is subject to scrupulous compliance with the protocols governing the safety of workers and people who go there to use the services. In this regard, we would like to remind you that the following are available, consultable and downloadable, at www.federlavaggi.org, the guidelines created by the FederLavaggi Federation.

Hoping to have provided clarity once and for all, Federlavaggi would like to thank all those involved in the industry for the valuable contribution they make on a daily basis in combating the spread of the virus.

For cleaning and sanitizing your car, trust the professionals

We recommend that you hire a professional car wash center to care for and sanitize your car. With the Autowellness App by Mafra you will be able to locate the facility best suited to your needs and closest to you, thanks to the handy geolocation function. All the centers in the App use Mafra products exclusively, and the staff is very professional and able to meet your every need. Trust the experience of Mafra!