The Ministry of Health confirms – tyre replacement allowed during a pandemic

It’s time for winter tyres!

In response to a joint letter from the Polish Automotive Industry Association, the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA) and the Automobile Dealers Association, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the visit in workshops to change the tyres is allowed – regardless of restrictions imposed by the government as a result of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. So it’s not worth waiting for snow – it is better to replace the tyres with winter ones as soon as possible. In order to maintain sanitary protection, PTIA has prepared guidelines for tyre services on how to proceed to ensure the safety of customers and employees during an epidemic.

– With such temperatures, it is time to replace the summer tyres with winter ones, or a decent all-season tyre. Thank for the quick reaction of the Minister of Health. We are glad that road safety is not compromised by the government during a pandemic – says Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).

Jakub Faryś, President of the Polish Automotive Industry Association, points out that the transport of people and goods during an epidemic plays a key role. Vehicles should be safe, efficient and prepared to perform an important social function. With the observance of restrictive procedures in the field of personal safety, tyre replacement on the site is as safe as, for example, shopping.

Organizations emphasize that in the USA – even in this difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic – car services are included in the list of critical infrastructure and their use is allowed.

Tyres are the only contact point of any vehicle with the road – their condition and quality have a direct impact on the level of road safety. The behaviour of the car as well as the grip and braking distance of each vehicle depend on their quality and condition.

The temperature limit for summer tyres is 7ºC. Below them, the tread of a summer tyre becomes harder and does not provide adequate grip, and the braking distance increases significantly. In such weather as now – when the mornings are already cold and it often rains – good winter or all-season tyres with winter approval are the basis for safe driving. Modern winter tyres ensure safety not only in the cold and snow. This is a big change comparing to gums from several years ago. Even at such temperatures as now – also on dry roads – they will not brake worse than summer ones. And on a wet road, they will ensure safety and shorten the braking distance from 7 to 11 meters (depending on the temperature).

This post is also available in: polski (Polish)