AUSTELL, Ga. -

Stemming from calls for social distancing to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (GIADA) is hosting a webinar so operators can meet their continuing-education requirements needed for state license renewal by the end of March.

Instead of its typical in-person class, GIADA said it's orchestrating the webinar on Friday.

“GIADA is taking extra care and precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the association said in a post on its website. “Our staff is dedicated to staying updated on and vigilant with important procedures from the CDC, World Health Organization, Georgia Department of Public Health and local authorities, all of whom are helping us accomplish this.”

GIADA noted that the association will be sending a legal document for the dealership to sign and return that the designee participated during the webinar.

“Once we receive the document, we will email your certificate to you,” GIADA said. “Not completing a (continuing education) is not an option, so we are making every effort to ensure all dealers can take the class in a timely manner and renew their dealers license by March 31.”

GIADA officials mentioned another element of its operations that being modified because of the ongoing crisis.

“Please mail or scan your titles to the GIADA Office and order your TOPS online whenever possible to prevent our office from being overcrowded until the current situation is cleared by the CDC,” association officials said. “This will protect you and our staff. We want to keep the GIADA office open, so we need to take these precautions.

“Thank you for your understanding. As always, we want to take care of the dealers in Georgia,” GIADA added.

For more details, go to giada.org.