(KGTV) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state's counties will be allowed to reopen hair salons and barber shops starting Tuesday.
Newsom said that the 47 of 58 California counties that have been allowed to proceed through Stage 2, including San Diego County, can allow hair salons and barbershops to reopen with modifications under their plans.
"Those counties will begin to allow for those kinds of operations with meaning full modifications with the appropriate protective gear, particularly face coverings that are so essential in that environment, sanitation requirements, and the like," Newsom said. "Know that we worked with the industry and think these guidelines are appropriate to the task."
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Modifications hair salons and barbershops will have to incorporate will include protective gear, disinfecting protocols for hair cutting tools, face coverings for employees and customers, and physical distancing measures. Official guidance is available on the state's website here.
Tuesday, San Diego County's Board of Supervisor said hair salons and barbershops would be allowed to reopen if they:
- Complete the county's safe reopening plan, post it, and share it with employees
- Post guidelines for customers to see
- Temperature checks or health screenings for employees at the beginning and end of shift
- Provide clean face coverings for staff and customers; Customers can bring their own
- If an employee is sick or has symptoms, they should not go into the salon or barbershop
- Frequent cleaning scheduled
"Fill out the safe reopening plan, follow the guidance, and you are clear to reopen," Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said Tuesday.
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Locally, San Diego hairstylists and barbers had already been planning for what reopening will look like before Tuesday. Some things already being planned included face shields, masks, moving clients during hair appointments more instead of employees moving around the client, and getting rid of waiting areas.
"Our industry, specifically, is very well trained for this," Marc Kulch, owner of Salon on 30th, told 10News. "This is something we've always had to do, so we're just intensifying it."
After the announcement was made Tuesday, Kulch said there are still some questions about the guidelines. "I was wondering if we would be allowed to blow dry? I have not seen anything saying that we can't."
Corinne Lam with Solatto Salon in Rancho Bernardo said they have spent thousands of dollars on PPE and safety equipment. They have already installed plexiglass between work stations and have a team training later this week on the new protocols.
"Anything we have to do, we are ready to do it. We're just so excited to be able to get back to making a living and getting our clients feeling better," Lam said.
Newsom said Tuesday's changes do not include nail salons or similar personal care services and that the state is still working on putting together guidelines for those businesses.
"The issues there require a little more specificity," Newsom said in regards to nail salons.
Guidelines related to summer camps, childcare, and schools are expected to be released Wednesday. Newsom added that guidelines extending to the entertainment industry are still being discussed and will likely come later this week or into the weekend.