Fresno-area barbers, salons reopen after new COVID-19 orders — but frustrations linger
Fresno-area shop owners allowed to open Monday under the latest guidance from Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed frustrations they were ever made to close in the first place — saying it’s likely they won’t make up for lost revenue.
Salons and barbershops were among the latest businesses allowed to reopen under new safety guidelines in so-called “purple counties” — the strictest tier in a new color-coded system amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare counties have all been on the state’s monitoring list, which is being phased out, and are now on the state’s purple tier, Tier 1.
Bree Gentry said she was frustrated by the handling of the pandemic, which led to her shop A Gentry Salon in Clovis closing in March and then a second time in June after business closures were ordered again by Newsom.
The salon, which specializes in extensions, could not operate outside like some hairdressers could in recent weeks, she said. That left 11 stylists unable to work.
“We are out of income because I can’t work and can’t get rent from any of the girls,” Gentry said. “I’m really irritated and feel like the state has fallen short for our industry…It’s infuriating.”
Gentry said she renovated part of her shop to be able to specialize in a certain extension technique, which she paid for classes to learn. The renovation was done in March, days before the initial shutdown.
Now that the shops are operating, little has changed in an industry that spends so much time disinfecting and cleaning its tools and stations, she said. Masks are a new addition, but Gentry said she wonders why salons needed to close at all.
“Who gets to decide who’s essential and who’s not?” she said. “A lot of my girls are single moms. It’s not right. It’s not logical.”
Under the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” San Joaquin Valley counties continue to face some of the most stringent coronavirus business restrictions in the state.
The new tiers include revised criteria for when different business sectors can reopen in individual counties. About 87% of the state’s residents reside in counties in purple Tier 1.
The other tiers are: Tier 2, red, for counties with substantial numbers of virus infections; Tier 3, orange, for counties with moderate spread; and Tier 4, yellow, for counties with minimal spread.
Outside too hot, smoky
John Salazar was open and cutting hair before lunch Monday inside Ofelia & Sons in Fresno’s Chinatown. He said he hadn’t cut hair outside in recent weeks because the Fresno heat was unbearable and then smoky air from wildfires rolled in.
“We’re just happy to be back for our clientele and, hopefully, our business will recuperate,” he said. “I wasn’t going to put our customers through that experience. It was very smoky, very unhealthy.”
Salazar said he was worried being closed for so long would drive off even his most loyal customers, but said he takes COVID-19 seriously.
“Whether it’s blown out of proportion or not, it’s affecting a lot of people,” he said. “Just put a mask on. It’ll help businesses, if that’s what’s concerning you, and you’re helping people live.”
Shopping malls at 25%
Other businesses that have been closed were allowed to reopen on Monday with modifications, including retail shopping malls — if they operate at 25% capacity.
Fashion Fair opened with a new stricter cleaning regiment, according to Brian Malony, senior manager of marketing.
Sectors that can open, but only for outdoor operations, include aquariums, museums and zoos; body waxing studios and estheticians; cardrooms; cultural ceremonies; drive-in theaters and movie theaters; family entertainment centers including kart racing, miniature golf or batting cages; gyms and fitness centers; massage therapy studios; churches and other places of worship; racetracks and satellite wagering sites; wineries; and yoga studios.
North Fresno’s Peoples Church began holding its services outside under a tent on Sunday, according to the church’s Facebook page.
Health officials in Fresno County said Friday they will be satisfied with the state’s criteria and regulations under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
The Fresno County Department of Public Health “will not impose more stringent requirements and will utilize CDPH’s minimum restriction for industry guidance,” said Simranjit Dhillon, a spokesperson for the county health department.
Tower 59 Barbershop owner Steve Santoya said he, too, was frustrated by the start-and-stop process that began in March. He paid to put up protective equipment in the Tower District shop in June, just to be told to close again.
Barbers were already trained in disinfecting and cleaning the shops even before the pandemic, Santoya said, adding that he believes he could have operated safely before Monday.
“We’re making our clients wear masks. We’re clean,” he said. “We’re making sure to clean after every cut.”
His shop has seven barbers who rent out space and rely on haircuts to make a living.
But, with the doors now open, Santoya may be seeing a steady level of foot traffic. He said he had a person in his shop Monday morning who hadn’t had a haircut since February.
“I’m already all booked,” he said. “Phone’s just been ringing. It’s been crazy.”
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 1:10 PM.
