Note: Friday afternoon, May 8, Gov. Ralph Northam provided additional details about the first phase of Virginia's reopening plan. Read that story here.
Original story posted May 6:
Some businesses will start reopening as soon as May 15, but the way they operate will be very, very different — particularly in the personal services category that covers salons and gyms.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced earlier this week that businesses that were under restrictions due to concerns about coronavirus and COVID-19 may be able to start resuming operations later this month under a three-phased plan.
The first phase could start in a little more than a week, and it will require a continued reduction in the percentage of positive tests, reduced hospitalizations and a continuing increase in supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Personal Services Prepare
Alexandria salons are preparing for an onslaught of customers who are long overdue for haircuts and colorings.
Salon deZEN in Old Town is planning for extended hours to take care of customers. When customers arrive, they will have their temperature checked with a touchless thermometer and they will sign a waiver stating they have not been sick or around anyone who has been sick. Clients and staff will wear masks, and staff will also wear face masks and gloves. Stations will be spaced out with decorated acrylic shields between stations. That’s on top of additional cleaning and the continuation of Zoom classes on how to trim your own bangs and clean up necklines.
Hazel Salon is taking similar measures. In addition, their staff have taken refresher courses on sanitization. Like at other salons, appointments will be required (no walk-ins) and clients are asked to arrive alone at their appointment time with minimal personal belongings.
Gyms and fitness studios like Xtend Barre Old Town are making changes, as well. In addition to increased cleanings between classes and deep cleaning nightly, class sizes will be limited to 10 people and physical distancing between people will be required during class.
A variety of retail establishments are also working to prepare for a modified reopening — from securing masks for staff to offering hand sanitizer to customers.
Alexandria Residents React
The common thread in all the reopening preparations is making sure customers feel safe at local businesses. Gov. Northam’s reopening plan tries to balance safety with attempts to help stop the economic freefall across the state.
Even as businesses reopen and safety measures go into effect, a number of residents say it’s too soon to reopen.
Here’s some of what our readers said on Facebook this week — both for and against opening —after Gov. Northam announced the reopening plans:
- “Thank Goodness! It is time! Cases may be increasing-but it’s because we are doing more testing, but hospitalizations are down!! The elderly and vulnerable populations may still want to stay home but the rest of us NEED to get out!”
- “Big mistake, Gov. Northam. We’ve seen time and time again how poorly people stick to the rules when states, beaches, etc. give them the “green light." Interesting how despite reopening businesses, Texans aren’t returning in droves and many are still staying away.”
- “I am happy about this, because I really need my gym. They had amazing policies in place before quarantine to protect from COVID-19. And it just so happens that the wipes they use (which we use during class every 10-20 minutes) say on the packaging that they kill coronaviruses!”
- “Too soon. And I own a small business. I value my customers too much to risk their lives.”
If Virginia does not see an increase in COVID-19 cases after a few weeks in this first phase of reopening, the second phase will start with slightly looser restrictions on gatherings, entertainment venues and other businesses. If all goes according to plan, the second phase could start as early as mid-June.
