NJ lifts more COVID-19 restrictions: Barber shops, salons, pools reopen

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UPDATED: 9:15 a.m.

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A week into New Jersey's second phase of reopening, the state is easing coronavirus restrictions on businesses such as salons, barber shops and swimming pools starting Monday.
Personal care services that can now resume include:

  • Beauty salons
  • Barbershops
  • Cosmetology shops
  • Day and medical spas
  • Electrology businesses
  • Hair-braiding shops
  • Tanning salons
  • Nail salons
  • Massage parlors
  • Tattoo parlors

Gov. Phil Murphy, during his daily COVID-19 press briefing on Friday, said this is a big step because, unlike some of the retail stores and outdoor dining establishments that have already resumed operations, these businesses rely on workers being in close proximity, indoors, with the people they’re serving. 

“So, we’re gonna have to be really, really careful, folks, on this one,” Murphy said. “The entities, the businesses, are setting themselves up. They know exactly what they need to do, but everybody has to approach this with a sense of responsibility.”

Some of the guidelines in place include:

  • Appointments are needed. No walk-in customers allowed.
  • Temperature checks for workers and clients.
  • Staff-client pairs are six feet apart from each other, unless there’s a physical barrier in between.
  • Workers use personal protective equipment. Clients wear masks. 

Dave Restrepo is up to speed on the guidelines. He made an appointment at the Haddon Barber Company and, at 7:30 Monday morning, he was the first customer in three months. 

He said he was excited to see owner Kimberly Maggard again.

"My wife did a decent job in her absence, but I need a haircut," Restrepo said.

"I think everybody has to make their own decisions at this point. I think you can’t legislate everything. If you’re smart about it, if you have underlying health issues, you definitely have to be more cautious."

Maggard says she’s excited the wait is finally over.

"Oh my gosh. Yes, big time. My appointment book is this big!" she said.

She said she was nervous, but she did everything she could think of to keep her customers safe.

“I’ve put up shower curtains in between the chairs. ... There’s hand sanitizer, there’s alcohol. I have a thermometer in there. I have extra masks," she said.

While appointments are a priority, she has a sign-in sheet outside, and a few people can wait in seats six feet apart.

Frank Rizzieri, owner and president of several salons and barber shops in South Jersey, has had to make several changes, too.

“We’ve installed air scrubbers. I’ve had our vents, our ductwork, recleaned. I’ve had new ionizing air units put inside the duct work," he said.

Standing outside his new location in Washington Township, Gloucester County, he said he’s ready to welcome customers again.

“The PPP program, because they extended it to 24 weeks, was really good. It’s a life saver," he said.

Also, starting Monday, community and private outdoor pools can reopen. Facilities are limited to 50% capacity. Staff and members need to sign in for contact tracing efforts. Pool toys, noodles and floats are not allowed.

Organized sports activities can resume, as well. Low-risk, non-contact sports such as tennis and golf can hold practices and competitions. Medium-risk sports such as baseball, softball and outdoor basketball, and high-risk sports such as football can resume non-contact drills and practice. 

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KYW Newsradio's Matt Leon contributed to this report.
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