With states across the country in various stages of reopening, many are looking forward to getting back to some semblance of normal. After several weeks of being closed due to lockdown, businesses deemed nonessential by local governments, have begun the process of reopening. If your hair or nail salon is opening back up, you may be wondering if it's safe to make an appointment.
Is it safe to go to a hair or nail salon?|Is it safe to go to a hair or nail salon?
Salon safety and sanitation|Salon safety and sanitation
While individual states have their own health department guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a reopening toolkit for businesses. These safety and sanitation guidelines include checklists and resources that serve as a guide for businesses like hair and nail salon reopening and tips for maintaining social distancing within the salon.
Patrons considering a visit to their salon should use their discretion and inquire with their stylist as to preventive measures being implemented. As states begin to lift restrictions, staying informed as to what is and what isn't allowed is key. The Behind the Chair website published an updated, state-by-state hair and nail salon reopening guide for that purpose.
Salon owner Angie Ravenel told Mom.com that beyond taking every client's temperature before they're brought in, she hasn't had to make many changes. "I already had strict regulations set in place to follow, now though, clients have to agree through email to have their temperature taken upon arrival, wait in their car until I come to get them, and keep a mask on during the entire visit."
When South Carolina started to reopen, Ravenel had been busy promoting her hair product so she was armed with additional sources of income during lockdown. "I was not ready to immediately jump behind the chair, I followed the news and the numbers for the safety of my clients.”
Nail salon safety precautions
Usually, as the weather starts to warm up and people head back to the beaches and pools, a fun transition to summer includes a stop at the nail salon for a cute pedicure.
With COVID-19 concerns looming, many of us are questioning whether it’s safe to head to the nail salon. Nail technicians have received detailed reopening guidelines from both the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The guidelines not only address safety and sanitation issues, but also provide information on how to ensure employees stay safe at home so as not transmit the coronavirus to the workplace.
If you have concerns about the safety of your nail salon, there are additional steps you can take to limit your exposure to COVID-19. Wearing a cloth face covering is always recommended.
You may also want to consider wearing glasses or goggles to minimize the risk of respiratory droplets getting into your eyes. Finally, limiting the time you’re in the chair is key. Rather than sitting under the nail dryer for a few extra minutes, find a spot to sit outside the building while your toes and fingers dry.
Slowing the spread of COVID-19 will require cooperation, empathy, and sometimes a bit of inconvenience on everyone's part. To ensure we won’t have to go back on lockdown, it’s important that we all adhere to the health and safety guidelines set forth by the experts.
