Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - As we all get used to a return to some normalcy that came with phase two reopening across Western New York, the release of phase three guidelines Tuesday now has other industries anticipating reopening while still leaving some wondering when their turn will be.
Spa owners are getting ready to reopen under phase three of reopening.
Meantime, gym owners are waiting to see if they'll be part of phase three or if they'll have to wait longer.
Kristine Koch has been making preparations to reopen Nickel CIty Skin Spa."Obviously, hand sanitizing stations, limiting the number of people who can be in the center at any time," says Koch. "We're staggering shifts so employees will be in the free zones at different times, stripping the beds of all the linens and moving toward disposable pieces like plastic sheets, and using pallets to put skin care products in so you're not touching the main bottles."
Koch says NYS has split the services allowed under phase three. "You can receive a massage, but you'll be asked to wear a mask when you're in an face up position, as will the practicioner. I can do brow waxing and lash services as well as body waxing, but I'm prohibited from doing a facial treatment or lip or chin was on someone," explains Koch.
Koch says customers will need to call when they arrive and staff will greet them at the door. Customers will also have their temperatures taken and sign a waiver and intake information form on the services they're having and going directly to the space. "For retail products, we put items on display at the center inventory that's accessible only to staff, to reduce the chances of it being touched by multiple individuals," says Koch.
Over at Catalyst Fitness, Amy Bueme is hoping for a phase three reopening. "I am praying they smarten up and understand really what the gym business is. It's not recreation, it's mental and physical health," says Bueme. "I hope we are in phase three and it is important to bring this back for people to utilize."
Bueme says preparations are in progress. "We have put in end level cleaner that kills COVID-19," says Bueme. "We'll have more hand sanitation stations, more spray bottles, social distancing. We didn't have to do rearrange much equipment because it was separated nicely. We had to do every other cardio piece because they were closer than six feet apart."
