Beauty-Related Salons Urged to Close, But Not Mandated

CONNECTICUT — As executive orders put more restrictions on state residents and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, a segment of the community which relies on actual human contact - barbers, hairdressers, nail technicians and related industries - have been urged, but not mandated, to close temporarily.

A letter sent Tuesday by the Connecticut Department of Public Health asks "all salons and other businesses that provide similar services that require direct contact to cease operations indefinitely."

Late Tuesday, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo ordered all body care facilities, including hair salons, barber shops, nail salons and massage establishments, to temporarily close, effective immediately. Ridgefield salons were ordered shut down by the end of Wednesday.

Paul’s Haircutters barber shop and salon in Monroe had its last day Tuesday. Owner Tony Provenzano said business had been steady, but slower than normal. He is hoping to open again by early April, but will reassess as the situation develops.

"Every other shop is doing it," he said about the closures. "The whole community is sticking together."

Provenzano said he saw a notice put out by the state Department of Public Health that urged salons and barber shops to close. The closure is having a definite impact on the business, barbers and hairstylists, Provenzano said.

"If we aren’t cutting hair we aren’t making money, being shut down for a week or two is going to affect us," he said. "It obviously hurts small businesses like myself, but you have to do it for safety’s sake."

One concern for him was that he would inadvertently bring the disease home and infect his mother, father or grandfather.

Patch editors in north-central Connecticut received a number of comments from salon owners opting to remain open for the time being.

• Donna Chisnall, The Salon At the Village in Suffield: "Things seem quite challenging for any business these days. And at this point, I am still open. I have the benefit of working alone which reduces the likelihood of viral exposure. I have taken all necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of my dear clientele and community. I am offering online orders as well as pick up orders, at the Salon, of all holistic and naturopathic products. Holistic and naturopathic products have been known to be relevant alternatives to address the effects of anxiety and stress. I am still open for business and look forward to continuing to serve my dear clientele."
• Brenda Thomas, Fine Lines Hair Design in Ellington: "I just got off the phone with the health department, (NCDHD),there is absolutely no mandated law that we have to close and can remain open and be diligent with disinfecting and following all protocols. We will be notified if closing becomes state mandated. I will remain open, taking one client at a time, providing hand sanitizer and disinfecting between each client."
• Jeannine Cairl, Jeannine's Hair Salon in Enfield: "We're only allowing one customer at a time, asking others to wait outside the salon for their appointments. I wave them in after I disinfect anything that was touched. I've only had two cancellations. I've noticed people are coming in and getting shorter haircuts because they don't know how long they will be secluded."
• Jodi Hoekstra, Tips & Snips at Kennedy & Co. of Tolland: "Right now we're open but staggering our clients, trying not to have more than 10 people in the salon at a time, and also trying not to work next to each other while cutting hair so we're keeping a safe distance. We are bleaching and sanitizing chairs and our stations in between every client, and asking people to wait in their car until they're told they can come in so that we keep our numbers down. We are staying open until we are forced to close down. Some of the girls here have decided to stop working for two weeks after today; at the moment I will be open for business until I'm told I can't."