HOUSTON — Just a week after restaurants were allowed to open under new guidelines, Governor Greg Abbott is giving salons and barbershops permission to do so as well this Friday.
This news came much earlier than expected.
Bella Rinova Salon will look a little different when they reopen. Plastic shields now hang in reception and sit at every station.
“At every nail table, there’s going to be a clear shield between the guest and the service provider," owner Lynnette Davis said.
While the news from Governor Abbott to reopen Friday was unexpected, Davis said it was a nice surprise.
“I really didn’t expect him to tell us any date. So yes, it was exciting," Davis said.
But the rules on how to reopen came out Wednesday, and some salons say that’s not enough time.
“There’s quite a few who are saying they might just postpone until Tuesday, but they are all trying to get ready," Davis said.
Salons must have six feet of distance between work stations. Employees must be screened before coming into work. Stylists should wear gloves when possible and use disposable supplies.
“He also recommends the disposable towels, and I actually have one right here. They’re quite nice and soft and a little larger than the hair towels we currently use," Davis said.
If you’re a customer, Davis said you’ll be asked to wear a face mask and wash or sanitize your hands upon entering the salon and after the payment process.
And walk-in customers should wait in your car until called by the salon to come in.
She said they’ve already spent a couple thousand dollars getting ready to reopen, but for the customer to feel comfortable, she said it’s worth it.
“Sanitation is not new to our industry, it’s part of our licensing," Davis said. "We are probably one of the safest places, considering malls are open, restaurants, movie theaters, that they could go to.”
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, body aches, headaches and stomach issues. Losing your sense of taste and/or smell can also be an early warning sign.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Follow social distancing
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
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