Been Waiting For That Pedicure? A New Tattoo? The Time Has Come

CONNECTICUT — With strict guidelines in place, a number of tattoo parlors and nail salons plan to open for business Wednesday after being shuttered for three months. And some are giving it a few more days.

The state calls for rigid adherence to social distancing, regular and between-client disinfection and sterilization of tools used in the trades, from nail clippers to tattoo needles, frequent cleaning of chairs and tables, no shared spaces, and no waiting rooms are among the requirements for personal services businesses to open.

For services like those found in nail salons, spas and tattoo shops, owners had to train staff on the new rules, complete a thorough cleaning of facility prior to reopening, including, but not limited to bathrooms, chairs and tables, tools, and rolling carts, frequent laundering and sanitization after use of client chairs, and then, develop cleaning checklists. Shifts for workers needed to be staggered with start/stop times and break times to minimize contact across employees, and, maintain a log of employees on-premises over time to support contact tracing. And, employees must wear personal protective gear like masks, shields and gloves. Workstation protection rules, social distancing markers, touch-less appliances like paper towel and soap dispensers and contactless payment, and no superfluous stuff like magazines.

The list of rules goes on for pages in the guidance provided by the state.

After all the pre-opening preparations were done, business owners were required to complete a self-certification in order to get a Reopen CT badge.

Nail Salons

The four-time Best of Hartford winner Z Luxury Natural Nail Spa & Boutique in West Hartford will open July 1. But owner Kendra Quinn-Ward has kept the business alive and well during the pandemic as evidenced by its social media.

Lisa Nail Salon in Gaylordsville is ready to go. Providing manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails and tips, owner Lisa recently posted on Facebook after getting a letter from the New Milford Health Department announcing the May OK from the state, and then the 'not yet' decision to allow nail salons to reopen after months of being closed. Then, she was "feeling sad." That was then. Today, she’s excited.

Tattoo shops

At the Spirit Gallery Tattoo in New London, owner Lari Mostro said it's ready for clients as it navigates "this new normal."

Spirit Gallery Tattoo spells out its strict new rules on Facebook noting, "We know it’s a lot, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we all learn to navigate this ‘new normal.'"

Mostro told Patch that Spirit, which has been in business for the past 10 years in New London, that the tattoo artists are excited to meet clients but are taking no chances; they've gone above and beyond what is required by the state.

Mostro said that once a client has made an appointment, when hey get there they must check in via text message from the parking lot. They are restricting the lobby to one client at a time, and will let folks know when it's their turn. Then, once inside, the client's temperature will be taken, they'll be given a clean face mask, gloves, and hand sanitizer. They ask that clients not wear their own face mask or gloves into their appointment. Then, a COVID-19 waiver will be required in addition to their standard paperwork. Clients must come alone; "friends and family will not be permitted to enter with you." They also ask that customers bring a minimum of personal items inside. And, they'll have their phones wiped down with sanitizer. Its artists and staff will also be in face masks and shields, and "our already stringent cleaning practices will be stepped up even more, with frequent sanitizing of all surfaces."

Above and beyond.

The one thing the shop is known for is skilled piercings. They are not doing those now.

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Anxious to "get back to work," the Transcend Tattoo & Art Gallery in Branford announced it was ready to open its doors for appointment only on Wednesday.

The shop said it has separate stations with barriers to maintain distancing guidelines, and masks must be worn by artists and clients.