CT Coronavirus: Barbers, Nail, Beauty Salons Ordered Closed

CONNECTICUT — Earlier this week the town of Greenwich decided to close all body care facilities, including hair salons, barber shops and nail salons, as well as massage establishments. Officials made the decision after their number of positive coronavirus cases in town jumped to six.

Several towns across the state have announced similar bans including Madison and now Gov. Ned Lamont is planning to make the closure a statewide effort as the state continues to try and control the spread of the new coronavirus.

"Later today, I will issue an executive order directing the closure of establishments like nail salons, barber shops, and hair salons. I will have more information later. These are difficult decisions that are all meant to put public health first," Lamont said on his Twitter account.

Madison's order for example applies to barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, eyelash technicians, and massage therapists. All are licensed under the state department of health.

In Branford, Linda DiRienzo, owner of Salon East said she was notified late yesterday.

"I hoped it wouldn't come to this, I was hoping to hang in there but yesterday got the call at around 3 at the same time people were calling to cancel and others to try and get those cancellations. But this is important and public health and safety is the priority," she said.

DiRienzo said she's about her employees, who will likely get unemployment, but that does not cover a full paycheck. And she said she's concerned about making the mortgage but sounded nonetheless upbeat. "We'll make it."

The Ledge Light Health District issued its order with much of the same language seen in other health department orders.

And then UNCAS Health District did the same.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.