Chaos Erupts Over CT Hair Salon Reopening Delay, Critics Say

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont’s decision on Monday to push back the reopening of barber shops and salons has caused chaos across the industry. Salon and barber shop owners that were ready to go for the scheduled reopening Wednesday now face the daunting task of rebooking appointments scheduled between then and May 31.

The issue on when to reopen has split the industry. Some stylists and barbers are eager to reopen while others feel it is not yet safe to do so.

Lamont offered an apology Monday about his decision, which was made in conjunction with Rhode Island officials.

“Look I apologize because I know some of you are all set ready to go on May 20,” Lamont said. “Give us a little bit more time for all your peers to get up and operating.”

One issue for many hair stylists is finding child care services, Lamont said.

New York is allowing hair salons to reopen in the second phase; for central New York that is about two weeks from now.

"Premature openings, with loosely written and scientifically inaccurate guidelines, the lack of focus on contact tracing, and the emphasis on reporting and shutting down businesses will certainly lead to the demise of our industry as we know it," wrote stylists Alison Valsamis and Odete DaSilva, who recently formed the CT Beauty Association.

Other stylists disagree and feel that salons and barber shops that have sufficiently prepared for the May 20 reopening should have been allowed to continue.

Save Your Scissors Salon owner Ashley Lavallee in Southbury said she had booked appointments through the end of July and she had just finished her appointment book the night before Lamont announced the decision to push back the reopening date. She has owned the salon for seven years and has been in the industry for more than 13 years.

Now she has to figure out how best to reschedule appointments.

“That’s bad for business if I have to call and tell people we have to start over,” she said about the appointment process.

Lavallee said she has spent thousands of dollars on Plexiglas and personal protective equipment for her staff in anticipation of the May 20 reopening.

She gave her staff the option of staying home if they didn’t feel comfortable; only she and her assistant are going back for the reopening date.

Lavalee said much of her frustration is with how Lamont has been swayed by various petitions.

“He is just following what petitions say,” she said. “You are supposed to be in a position of power and make a decision and stick to it."

Many Patch readers also expressed frustration over Lamont’s decision to postpone salon reopening date.

“Many salon owners have been preparing for weeks to reopen,” said reader Aline Cotnoir. “Delaying the opening two days before the opening date is unfair to these business owners. If you as a salon owner are not ready to open then don’t, if you are then open your doors and let your customers also decide whether they are ready for an appointment or not!”

“I am not happy. I had my appointment made for this Wednesday,” said reader Dylan Ryan. “I strongly believe that each shop should decide if they want to open or not. Obviously would have to open with the right mindset and precautions but if they want to open, they should be able to.”

Reader Deb Downes said she had a hair appointment for this coming Friday.

“ I just got off the phone with my hairdresser to change the appointment. She seemed disappointed because she had worked very hard to get her salon ready to go,” Downes said. “That’s the way I feel as well. If salons don’t feel they’re ready, don’t open. I don’t believe anything is going to be any large degree safer for the owners and the public in a little under two weeks from now.”

See also: Here Is How CT Will Ensure Compliance With Reopening Rules, Laws

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