Social Distancing, masks to be required of customers, employees. 
Glen Burnie, Md (KM) Beginning on Monday, October 19t, all Vehicle Emissions Inspection Stations in Maryland will reopen.
These facilities have been closed since March after Governor Larry Hogan ordered that they be used as drive-through centers to test for COVID-19. But Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer says they will once again be used for emissions inspections “All the VEIP stations have been deep-cleaned and disinfected consistent with the CDC guidelines,” she says. “We also have placed signs for social distancing, Plexiglas where appropriate and hand sanitizers in customer service areas.’
Nizer also says precautions have been taken at VEIP stations to guard against the coronavirus. “If customers need to enter one of our lobby or office at the VEIP station, they’ll be asked a series of screening questions, and subject to a temperature scan. Social distancing will obviously be in affect,” she says.
MVA is also allowing customers to test the emissions on their own cars as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19. “The inspector will provide the test instructions to the customer. And then the customer will be able to disconnect the cable from their vehicle once the test is complete,” says Nizer. “Obviously, the cable that was used to perform the test will be sanitized by the inspector between each of the tests.”
During the seven-month period when the VEIP stations were closed, residents who would have normally brought their cars in for inspection were unable to do so. But Nizer says MVA is giving them a break. “Their test date was rescheduled and they got a notice in the mail about a new date,” she says. “So no worry about doing the VEIP test during that time. Their test will be rescheduled for a future month.”
With VEIP stations not being used for COVID-19 testing. Nizer says other locations have been set up. Residents can go to coronavirus.maryland.gov for more information on coronavirus testing sites.
By Kevin McManu