Photos: For first time in coronavirus-marred weeks they’re workin’ at the car wash

Weeks of dirt and grime were power-washed away, and neglected interiors vacuumed for some lucky cars in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 20.

Almost nine weeks after being closed by the coronavirus-propelled stay-at-home orders, car washes in Los Angeles were allowed to open.

It was not as busy as a typical pre-shutdown day at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, but 20 workers raced from car to car, making sure they sparkled like the day they rolled off the showroom floor.

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jose Perez washes a vehicle at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Workers wash vehicles at the Studio City Hand Car Wash in Studio City, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Carwashes in Los Angeles were allowed to open today after being forced closed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The carwash that opened in 1992 is a popular location for locals looking for a hand-wash for their cars and SUVs.

A week ago, they started preparing for the washing to resume after a call to the mayor's office said that they might be allowed to reopen on May 20.

"It was terrible, very bad, but we are happy that if we had something to do with saving lives, we are glad we did," manager Bruce Forat said when asked about the forced closure of the car wash.

Signs with social distancing instructions were posted on almost every wall and tape marked spots on the floor spaced six feet apart.

Areas that are touched by employees and the public were consistently cleaned, with chairs in the waiting area spaced appropriately.

Large bottles of hand sanitizer stood on shelves and counters, and every employee wore face coverings and gloves.

"It's like a newborn baby," Forat said, "We are learning how to walk again."

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