San Diego County public health officials announced Friday personal care service businesses would be allowed to reopen as soon as next week, following guidance from the state.
Businesses like nail salons, waxing services, cosmetology services, tattoo and piercing parlors, and massage therapy salons have been closed since mid-March when California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide Stay-at-Home order that essentially shuttered businesses across the state.
The state released guidance that would allow those services to reopen in counties that meet certain standards no sooner than next Friday, June 19, with the expectation that the businesses follow certain modifications. The businesses were part of the state's Phase 3 reopening plan.
Some of the requirements include: establishing a written, worksite specific COVID-19 assessment plan; training employees on proper safety techniques, providing temperatures checks, social distancing, ensuring guests wear face masks and employees wear face shields at all times. The state's guide has several other measures that should be followed specific to the type of business, which can be found here.
The announcement came as gyms, bars, museums and more reopened for the first time.
However, not every business able to open Friday necessarily did, Supervisor Greg Cox said, referencing the San Diego Zoo's announced June 20 reopening date. The USS Midway Museum announced Thursday it would hold off on reopening until July 1.
County health officials warned that as reopenings were accelerating, it is not a time to let guards down.
"We can't let reopenings lead to a surge in cases that will ruin everything we have done in the last several months," Cox said.
The county reported 132 new COVID-19 cases, six deaths and a reported outbreak tied to a reopened restaurant Friday. There have been four community-setting outbreaks in the last seven days a reminder at how easily the disease can spread amongst congregating San Diegans, the county said.
