Clarkstown auto body shop goes virtual to repair vehicles during pandemic

One autobody shop in Rockland has rolled out safety measures to make the business as safe as it can.

News 12 Staff

Jun 5, 2020, 10:25 PM

Updated 1,580 days ago

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One autobody shop in Rockland has rolled out safety measures to make the business as safe as it can.
Car accidents have not stopped, even though there may be fewer cars on the road.
"Like every other business, we never experienced anything like this," says Melly Bonita of Clarkstown International Collision. "We have quickly adapted the way we work to be able to continue servicing customers."
Bonita says the shop has begun virtual estimates, where customers can send them photos of the damage.
Safety starts at Clarkstown International Collision before customers or employees walk through the door. All employees have to get their temperature checked before they officially report for work.
Plexiglas barriers have a been installed, as well as separate customer and employee pinpads and a social distancing line is implemented.
Employees also wipe down surfaces every 30 minutes and use UV light to disinfect.
Althoughit is an essential business, Clarkstown International Collision says the shop closed for three weeks out of an abundance of caution, but the work didn't stop.
This is because Bonita’s father, Gene Cortes, created a software called "My Shop Traffic" more than a decade ago.
"Any given moment, whether you're in the shop or you’re at home. You can log in and look and see what vehicles are in your shop, what status of repair they're in, when they're scheduled to be completed and delivered to the customer," Bonita explains, not only adapting to keep their family’s livelihood going, but also keeping employees and customers safe, for as long as it takes.