By Bev Fearis, published 20/05/20

Car rental firms are implementing more stringent cleaning regimes and other measures to reassure customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Enterprise Holdings, parent to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, has launched a global Complete Clean Pledge programme.

Employees are being trained on social distancing and enhancing the cleaning of vehicles, shuttles and rental locations.

The car rental giant is displaying new signage and giving customers ‘Complete Clean Pledge’ notifications in vehicles confirming they have been thoroughly cleaned.

This includes washing, vacuuming, general wipe down, and sanitising with a disinfectant that meets health authority requirements, with particular attention to more than 20 high-touch points such as door handles and steering wheels.

Other initiatives include kerbside rental transactions and advanced check-in at Enterprise’s neighbourhood locations.

“Employee and customer safety are our top priority,” said Chrissy Taylor, Enterprise Holdings President and CEO. “Following guidance from health authorities and in partnership with the travel industry, we at Enterprise Holdings are taking additional measures to build on our already rigorous cleaning protocols. We want customers to feel confident their vehicle is clean and sanitised each and every time they rent.”

Meanwhile, Hertz has enhanced its cleaning methods using approved disinfectant to regularly wipe down high-touch areas and has added more alcohol-based hand sanitisers for customers and staff.

If a renter is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, new protocols will see the vehicle removed from circulation and disinfected through a third party.

Sixt has set up a special coordination centre and has introduced plexiglass sneeze guard screens at all counters, is limiting the number of employees and customers, adding social distancing stickers and floor markers in branches, and making all staff wear face masks.

Avis has introduced more frequent and stringent cleaning methods and is ensuring staff are practicing social distancing, frequently washing their hands and applying hand sanitiser.