are nail salons getting fair treatment?

ARE NAIL SALONS GETTING FAIR TREATMENT DURING COVID 19?

As businesses reopen under California’s new Covid-19 color-coded plan, Los Angeles hair salons and barber shops have opened their doors. Nail salons, however, are ordered to remain shut.

Six months into

the pandemic, Los Angeles makes its second attempt at reopening businesses under California’s new Covid-19 color-coded plan. Barber shops, hair salons, as well as a variety of other businesses are allowed to conduct business indoors up to a 25% capacity. Excluded from this list are nail salons who must continue to operate outside.

That isn’t so easy for salons located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Due to a rise in homelessness, lack of space, and record-breaking heat waves, operating outside is nearly impossible, leaving many nail salons completely shut down since the middle of March.

Governor Newsom has been candid about his concern for nail salons being high-risk businesses. He has cited nail salons being the source for California’s initial Covid-19 outbreak and health officials have likened the risk of nail salons to that of gyms.

Yet no specific information has been released to prove nail salons are high risk, leaving salon owners and customers alike frustrated and confused.

This frustration has grown as California salon owners watch nearly every other state in the U.S. allow their nail salons to open. Nancy Nguyen, owner of Polished Salon, like many others have been vocal about their growing frustrations.

“I don’t get it,” she says. “To watch the media and hope to hear news of any type of opening would be hopeful but the city and county couldn’t really give any information on when. Now as they finally reopen hair salons (and) barber shops at 25% but not other beauty businesses. …it’s just crazy.”

polished salon pre-covid

EARLY September hair salons and barbershops were given notice they could

reopen immediately at 25% occupancy for indoor services as long as they have infection control safeguards in place and comply with the County’s Health Officer Order (HOO) Reopening Protocols for Hair Salons and Barbershops, which require physical distancing and face coverings for both employees and customers. As permitted by the state, hair salons and barbershops are encouraged to maintain as many operations outdoors as possible. CONT on page 14

GOOD NEWS FOR HAIR SALONS