Lexington barbers, salons are back open. Here’s how they’re working to stay safe
After months of having to remain closed because of restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, salons and barber shops were able to re-open in Kentucky Monday.
Hair studios across Lexington opened their doors to customers, but things may have looked a little different since the last time they were open.
In some states there have been issues with the reopening of barber shops and salons. One Great Clips in Missouri may have inadvertently exposed more than 100 customers to the illness when two hair stylists with COVID-19 continued to cut hair, to the according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. The stylists and customers were wearing their masks, which may have cut down the risk of contracting the illness.
To avoid such spreading of COVID-19 in salons or barber shops in Kentucky, the state released guidelines for all barbers, cosmetologists and hair salons that include mask, glove and disinfectant requirements.
Cha Cha’s hair salon in Lexington took to social media to give customers an idea of what they can expect when they visit the salon for the first time in two months. On the salon’s Instagram, they showed a new process to get an appointment and sign in that includes a short questionnaire about recent travel, whether a person has been sick and whether a person has been in contact with someone who might have COVID-19 or be quarantined.
The salon is also limiting the number of people in the business at one time by not allowing anyone to accompany a person who has an appointment and asking people to wait in their cars or outside until called for their appointments.
Jason Glass, one of the owners of Cha Cha’s and the adjoining Rooster’s Nest Barber Shop, said the temperatures of all the employees are being taken at the start of each day and many of the stylists are taking temperatures of their clients as well.
“It’s a lot, but it’s necessary,” Glass said. “Our first thing is keeping people safe.”
Glass urged patience and understanding and said that while services are being provided, people may have to wait a little longer. The salon anticipates things may be different for a while for both customers and employees, Glass said.
“Having to wear a mask, having to wait a bit is a minor inconvenience to get back to doing what we love to do,” Glass aid.
Barber John Kordenat, who works at Clippers Barber Shop off South Ashland Avenue, said the changes to meet health guidelines haven’t caused any problems.
Kordenat said he’s already heard some stories of home hair cuts that went awry during the closure of barber shops. It’s been amusing to hear of people who’ve had to “wear a hat for several days” after getting a haircut from a significant other or spouse, he said.
“Boy, they look back to themselves after I cut about 2 inches of hair off their head,” Kordenat said.
The biggest adjustment has been the requirement to work by appointment, Kordenat said. Barber shops often run on walk-ins, but the use of Facebook has helped Clippers Barber Shop make the change.
The barber shop is also taking clients’ temperatures and requiring masks be worn at all times.
“We’ve got to be safe, that’s all there is to it,” Kordenat said. “For ourselves and the client as well.”
