Barbershops, salons reopen earlier than projected

Barbershops, salons, and tanning beds were given the green light from Governor Greg Abbott to reopen last Friday with guidelines by the governor’s task force.

On Tuesday, Abbott announced that Phase II of Texas’ reopening would come earlier than the May 18 date previously announced.

The task force advises shops to screen all workers and customers at the door for temperature and symptoms. Customers are required to wash their hands upon entrance. Shops should have a wash station, offer disposable towels, and have a touchless trash can.

These businesses are advised to start by first offering less complex and time-consuming services such as haircutting and shaving services, notify employees and contractors of all COVID-19 processes and procedures and require them to sign a statement acknowledging they understand and will adhere to the guidelines, and screen employees and contractors before coming into the barbershop.

Further, shops are to send home any employee or contractor who has new or worsening signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

Appointments should be scheduled to limit the number of people in the shop, walk-in clients should wait either in their cars or outside with at least six feet of separation between individuals, and not allow clients to bring extra people to the appointment such as children.

Customers are advised to self-screen, to wash or disinfect hands, and to wear non-medical grade face masks before entering these businesses.

According to the Minimum Standard Health Protocols, “Wearing a mask is of utmost importance because of the close proximity between individuals in these settings.”

All beauty services should use disposable supplies when possible. Any non-disposable supplies must be fully sanitized between customers.

Workers can refuse to serve anybody they suspect to be sick or contagious.

The task force has also released guidelines for the reopening of gyms, swimming pools, nonessential manufacturers, and offices which are set for reopening on May 18 at 25% capacity.

For gyms, workout equipment should be spaced out to allow at least 6 feet between patrons, and cleaning supplies should be placed throughout the facility to clean off the equipment after use. Locker and shower facilities must remain closed.

Patrons should wear gloves that fully cover their wrists and fingers while exercising and should wear face masks. They should also clean off machines and exercise equipment like free weights after use and sanitize any equipment brought from home.

Workers should be at least six feet apart when possible and should wear face masks or face coverings. The governor’s task force asks facilities with more than 10 workers at a time to choose a person in charge of enforcing health protocols.

Further, patrons should keep a 6-foot distance from anybody 65 and older, though these individuals are advised to stay home.

Swimming pools, both indoor and outdoor, can operate at 25% capacity, but interactive water venues, like water parks and splash pads, are still closed. The reopening of public swimming pools will be at the discretion of local governments.

Workers for nonessential manufacturing businesses should be 6 feet apart when possible. The governor’s task force asks manufacturing facilities to provide physical dividers if following social distancing guidelines is not possible.

Workers should wear face coverings and be provided disinfecting products like hand sanitizer and wipes. Shifts and break times should be staggered to minimize interaction.

The governor’s task force asks manufacturers with more than 10 workers at a time to choose a person in charge of enforcing health protocols.

Offices can have the greater of up to five employees in the office at a time or 25% of the total office workforce. Office employees should keep at least 6 feet apart from each other when possible and follow other health measures like wearing face coverings.

The governor’s task force asks employers to continue encouraging employees to work from home if possible. Employers should implement alternate schedules for employees who go into the office.

Abbott said he would loosen more business restrictions on May 18 as long as the state saw “two weeks of data to confirm no flare-up of COVID-19.”

On Thursday, Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks posted on Facebook that the current case count in the county is 20 with 16 of those recovered.