CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ky. — Owners of Northern Kentucky hair and nail salons said they took great care to follow safety guidelines before reopening Monday.
Jenn Hansford of En Vogue Salon in Crescent Springs said they spent 20 hours sanitizing “the floors, the walls, the fans.”
Hansford decided to open the first chance she got, even though it was a financial gamble for her and her employees.
Once they choose to reopen, Kentucky stops providing unemployment benefits to everyone who works there.
“It was great for us to receive unemployment, certainly,” Hansford said. “It was a lifeline to us, so that was very beneficial and it helped our business stay alive.”
But after two months off the job, Hansford and her staff decided it was time to get back to work.
“We're taking every precaution that we can and following the governor's guidelines. We're very strict,” Hansford said.
To get inside, you will have to answer some health questions first.
Do you have a fever? Shortness of breath? Have you left the state recently?
And you will have to wear a mask.
Gov. Andy Beshear gave the go-head for nail and hair salons to reopen once the state expanded testing. Anyone can get a test for free now.
Under Beshear’s rules, employees must wear masks. Customers should, too, if possible. Clients must be kept 6 feet apart. And there are onsite health checks.
Liz Ellis was eager to be one of the first customers at En Vogue.
“We want some normalcy. It’s been too long,” Ellis said. “You can’t live in fear. Get out there and just be smart about it, that's all.”
Hansford spaced chairs to social distance clients as much as possible and cleans again after customers leave.
Nail salons are doing much of the same.
“We have been cleaning, taking the salon apart and making it all new and fresh and clean,” said Dina Deller of The Nail Studio.
Deller opened the nail studio on day one but kept the door locked to limit the number of people inside. You can only enter with an appointment. Some salons do it to keep track of who encountered who in case quarantine is necessary.
“We have everybody as soon as they enter go straight to the bathroom and they wash their hands,” Deller said.
Masks and gloves are required, and they installed plastic barriers to separate the customer and the technician.
Customers say they're comfortable at spots that have rules.
At En Vogue, Hansford is staggering shifts of workers.
“If we follow guidelines that are put in place by our health officials and by our government and our governor, then I think we'll all be fine,” Hansford said.
If you notice a business isn't following safety rules, call your local health department. It will go over guidelines with that company. If they refuse to comply, the health department could shut them down.
