ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The wait is over.
Starting Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis says barbershops and hair and nail salons can open with “enhanced safety protocols.”
Those businesses were not initially included in the first phase of the reopening. But last week, Orange County officials sent a letter to the governor’s office asking him to reconsider.
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J. Henry, who owns a barber shop in Orlando, said he is grateful and ready for Monday.
“Masks, gloves, disposable drapes for our clients — I’ve scheduled a few appointments already,” he said.
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Julia Tester said she’s hoping to welcome customers and students. She’s the director of the Artistic School of Nails and Cosmetology in Edgewood.
The business offers nails, facials, hair, eyelash extensions and more.
Barber shops and hair and nail salons can now open MONDAY. I’m putting together a story about it for 10/11pm on #WFTV and want you to weigh in. Will you...
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They’ll would be offering all those services and “will be wearing masks and gloves,” Tester said. “Whatever the governor gives us, we’ll abide by."
So far, the governor has not yet said what those enhanced safety protocols are for those businesses.
However, some residents had some suggestions.
“I think limiting how many people is in the hair salon would definitely be a plus,” said Judith Boyer. “I personally probably wouldn't do a facial right now. I feel comfortable going to the hair salon.”
However, small business loans and unemployment benefits are still very much needed, Henry said.
“Opening up is a beautiful thing, but it doesn’t guarantee that a lot of us will continue to have a business in the next few days,” Henry said. “I didn’t say years, I said days because we’re so in the red.”
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