A DUP MP has urged the Executive to clear up "confusion" over whether car washes can remain open during the current coronavirus restrictions.
Carla Lockhart said Stormont must clarify the position during the two-week circuit breaker, which ends on December 11.
The Executive Office has said car washes and car valets are not allowed to operate as they are deemed "non-essential" businesses.
But while some have been shut by police during the circuit breaker, others have continued operating.
An Omagh-based solicitor who successfully challenged police over the closure of a car wash said the Covid regulations have been incorrectly applied.
Conor Sally said he is now acting on behalf of several car wash owners to seek compensation.
He told Belfast Live that "any car wash that is not the main part of the business is entitled to reopen".
Mr Sally said the "legislation is not clear and specific" and questioned why car washes were not already deemed an essential service.
But he added: "Businesses that are wholly or mainly an essential service are entitled to stay open. If you were a garage, or an MOT provider or for example a service station and as part of that had a subsidiary business which was a car wash, then the car wash would be entitled to remain open."
Mr Sally said he has been contacted by around a dozen different car wash owners across Northern Ireland.
He said: "I think the difficulty from day one is that the guidance from Stormont does not always reflect what's in the legislation."
Ms Lockhart, DUP MP for Upper Bann, called on the Executive to make car washes essential businesses, describing them as a "low-risk area".
She said police had told her that car washes could remain open if they provided a contracted service to other businesses or bodies to keep vehicles clean.
She added: "I do believe there is confusion around car washes and the Executive needs to clarify it. We need to know why some car washes can stay open but others are being told they need to close.
"Guidance needs to be given and it's people's livelihoods that are in the balance here.
Ms Lockhart added: "Car washes are sending pictures to me of car washes in other areas being permitted to open.
"There needs to be clarity from the Executive."
A PSNI spokesman said: "Businesses are asked to adhere to the current Health Protection Regulations set by the Northern Ireland Executive.
"Officers will continue to engage with people and explain what we need them to do and encourage them to follow the restrictions that are in place. Enforcement is always a last resort."
It is understood the PSNI sought clarification from the Executive, and received advice that if a mechanic or garage owner runs a car wash as part of their main business they are permitted to stay open as garages and mechanics are classed as essential businesses.
The Executive Office did not respond to requests for comment.
