Toyota of Kirkland employee tests positive for COVID-19

The dealership will be closed till March 9 for cleaning and disinfecting.

By Hannah Saunders • March 5, 2020 2:30 pm

On March 5, Toyota of Kirkland in Totem Lake confirmed on its Facebook page that one of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to the post, Toyota is following recommendations of “local, state and federal agencies to limit any possible spread of the virus.”

“We’ve notified our employees and are in the process of contacting our customers to advise them of the situation,” the post reads. “The health and safety of our customers, employees and community is our top priority.”

As a result, management made the decision to close the dealership until March 9 to deep clean and disinfect the entire facility.

“The dealer learned of this individual the evening of [March 3]. They have been in touch with the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]. It was the dealer’s decision to close the dealer, not the CDC, out of an abundance of caution,” said Toyota’s chief communications officer Scott Vazin.

In addition, according to the local dealer’s statement, they have asked employees who have flu-like symptoms to seek medical care and, at a minimum, self-quarantine for 14-days.

“We’ve also asked janitorial service to continue providing additional cleaning measures on a nightly basis, including disinfecting surfaces that come into contact most frequently – phones, keyboards, door handles, desks, etc.,” the statement reads.

The dealership has also stopped all food and beverage services which has included closing its deli, soda and coffee machines.

Other measures the dealership has taken, according to the post, include instructing valet and technicians to use a new set of gloves for every customer vehicle and providing all employees with health recommendations from the CDC.

“We are in direct contact with the CDC and are closely following their guidelines and directions to ensure the health and safety of anybody visiting our dealership,” the statement reads. “Our goal is to prevent the spread of the virus while protecting you, our employees and our community.”