Our Response to COVID-19
We are open!
Dear Customers,
As at 11:59pm July 8th, Melbourne Metro and Mitchell Shires were placed into lockdown. Since then, we have had customers make contact, asking whether they are permitted to attend our premises for the purpose of dropping off or collecting their caravans. We certainly understand the confusion.
Please read the following information which offers the correct details, so that you can make an informed decision. This has been sought and provided to us by the Caravan Industry of Victoria.
The following advice from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions was given during the first lockdown, and it still stands today under the current restrictions, even with the new restrictions applying to the metropolitian ring.
This advice has been confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Under the Victoria State of Emergency arising from the serious public health risk posed by coronavirus (COVID-19), Victorians are being asked to stay at home and defer activities, where possible.
- Victoria’s COVID-19 Directions allow people to leave their home to purchase necessary goods and services or have someone come to their home to do work, which could include caravan collection and repair services. Victoria’s COVID-19 Directions would also permit workers to leave their home to offer caravan collection and repair services. It is important to practice physical distancing if these services are offered.
- Any services offered from a shop or dealer site would need to comply with the open retail facility requirements in Victoria’s COVID-19 Directions (e.g. signage, density and cleaning requirements).
The Recreational Vehicle industry is not restricted from operating.
Therefore, as long as you are travelling out or into a lockdown postcode to conduct business with a NON restricted retail facility there is no impediment on that activity.
Police officers are not meant to be stopping people from travelling for work or restricting trade of businesses that can and should remain open as long as they are maintaining density quotients and physical distancing.
As our industry is not being prohibited from working or opening, our staff can work, and customers can engage as appropriate providing all is consistent with the Chief Health Officers requirements around density quotients and physical distancing.
Advantage Caravan Repairs have been OPEN FOR BUSINESS during the entire pandemic.
Now you know that we are permitted to be open and you are permitted to access us, have a read of some of the things we are doing to manage COVID 19.
We would like to assure you, that we have implemented a range of measures to manage the risks associated with COVID -19.
We have restricted access to our premises, in fact our gates are locked. Access is permitted via a buzzer, and for essential reasons only. Anyone who accesses our premises are subject to our company policy on COVID – 19, and must adhere to it.
We have also adapted our business, through the introduction of new systems and services, which allow us to work just as effectively, but are in line with Govt. recommendations pertaining to social distancing for example.
Did you know, that you can complete your entire caravan service or repair, without any face to face contact with us at all? By utilizing our non contact pick up and drop off point, you will not need to see, talk, touch or interact with any of us face to face , nor enter our premises.
Simply unhitch, drop your keys into our safety box, or collect your keys and hitch up, and we will communicate with you via whatever electronic or digital means that suits you!
This protects you and our staff.
We are also in the process of implementing new software, that will further reduce our need to have face to face contact with you. This is our commitment. You see, we want you to feel safe when you interact with us. We have a COVID SAFE Plan for our business moving forward.
If you are still confused or concerned about whether or not you can leave your premises to bring your caravan to us for repairs, the Current Govt. ‘Stay at home’ and ‘restricted activity’ directions can be found here. Direction – Stay at home and Direction – Restricted activity
Of particular interest, In the Stay at Home Directions document (linked above) it states in Part 3 – Reasons to leave premises clause 6 Leaving premises to obtain necessary goods and services Part c the following:
(C) other necessary goods and services including but not limited to, goods or services provided by:
(i) a financial institution;
(ii) a government body or agency;
(iii) a post office;
(iv) a pharmacy;
(v) a hardware store;
(vi) a petrol station;
(vii) a pet store or veterinary clinic;
(viii) a retail facility that is not prohibited from operating by the Restricted Activities Directions
As we are a service and repair centre and not on the restricted list of business, customers can travel to our premises if they wish.
We do offer a pick up & drop off service to our customers.
Simply position your caravan so it is accessible to our staff, leave your keys in a safe place, and we will take it from there.
We are a small business, and like most other businesses, COVID – 19 has effected us.
We invite any of customers to contact us directly on 0411 618 999 for assistance. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs.
We would like to thank all of our valued customers and wish you all health during this uncertain time.
Peter and Jo
Why choose us
We are specialists in caravan repairs to all makes and models.
ACR is renowned Australia wide for our expertise and capacity to undertake major collision and smash repairs.
We are a complete RV Service and Repair Centre. We boast the most comprehensive range of in house services and repairs, all conveniently delivered from one workshop.
We have the knowledge, skill, capabilities, staff, contacts, enthusiasm and most of all we have the passion to repair, maintain, service or upgrade your caravan.
Advantage Caravan Repairs are accredited with the Caravan Industry Association of Victoria’s “Service Safe Accreditation Program”. This means we meet stringent training, equipment, and business standards. Each year we participate in a rigorous audit to demonstrate our compliance with the standards.
By having your caravan serviced and repaired at an accredited ‘Service Safe’ business you can be confident that the works are being carried out by qualified staff, whom undertake regular training, and use only maintained and calibrated equipment.
Look for the “Service Safe key”. This is a visual tool to assist consumers to identify businesses that are accredited.