California barbers, hair salons move outdoors

California hair and nail salons may provide services outdoors under new rules announced this week that aim to provide a lifeline for personal care services decimated by the state's shutdown orders.

But an industry organization says the changes give little help to many owners.

The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency released rules allowing hair stylists, barbers, manicurists, massage therapists and estheticians to offer some personal care services outdoors.

They can operate under tents, canopies or other shelters so long as no more than one side is enclosed, the agency said, allowing for enough outdoor air movement to deter the buildup or spread of the virus.

The rules still bar chemical hair services including shampooing, permanent waving, bleaching, tinting, coloring, dyeing and straightening. Electrolysis, tattooing and piercing also are banned.

Fred Jones, attorney for the Professional Beauty Federation of California, said that while some barber shops and beauty salons are ready to reopen outdoors, many of the federation's 53,000 members will have trouble finding appropriate space or getting accommodations from their landlords, insurers or neighbors.

Jones said operators spent thousands of dollars on personal protective gear, shields separating customers and other indoor precautions.

Newsom had allowed indoor service to resume in mid-June but when virus cases spiked following the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, the businesses were closed again.

Hair and nail salon owners joined by at least 16 state lawmakers of both political parties had called on the governor to make it clear that the shops could operate outside, warning that a complete shutdown could put many out of business.

The new rules come a week after Governor Gavin Newsom closed bars and indoor restaurant dining statewide, and imposed other closures on inside businesses for much of the state. Restaurants may still service patrons outdoors.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.