TAMPA, Fla. -- Governor DeSantis sat down with salon owners in Orlando today to discuss safe ways to allow them and their staff to get back to work.
Salons and spas are not included in phase one of reopening, which begins on Monday.
While salons and spas are not considered essential business under the governor’s order, offering these services to the public is essential to the livelihood of thousands of salon workers here locally. Many of them are struggling to get by right now, and they’re hoping their time will come in the next few weeks.
“If this goes on to next month, it’s going to be very hard for us, because we have no help,” said Samira Obren, manager at Grand Nail Spa in Lutz.
On a normal day, nail dust and chatter fill the air, but for the last two months, the spa’s been quiet.
“We’re always booked, we’re always full, right now it’s nothing, it’s no money coming in from the government, nothing,” said Obren.
They can’t make it much longer, but to pass the time that goes by all too slow right now, they’re making a game plan.
Grand Nail Spa has put plexiglass shields up at their nail desks, so there is a barrier between the technician and their client. They'll also be requiring nail tech's to wear a face shield and a mask. Clients will also be required to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, they’re handing them out free when you walk in. This is in addition to amped up sanitation measures, and only allowing five clients in at a time.
In Tampa, Salon Eunoia, open for less than a year, has been putting their own policies in place.
“All of our stylists will be certified in, there’s a barbicide certification. Barbicide’s a pretty potent disinfectant that meets the standards of salon and hygiene,” said Victoria Michael, owner at Salon Eunoia.
They’ll be scheduling additional time between clients, requiring their stylists to wear masks, and making sure everyone stays spread out.
With the help of their clientele, they’ve been selling gift certificates, giving a little back to the community, and making sure their stylists keep a cash flow.
“Our clients have really given us breath, helped us stay above water,” said Michael.
But for Salon Eunoia, and salons around Tampa Bay, the water’s rising. They’re asking the Governor for a little more help.
“Please pay attention to us as small businesses, we’re really struggling right now,” said Obren.
Governor DeSantis did not announce a specific timeline for opening salons back up, but he vowed to do it 'quickly'.
