YUBA CITY, Calif. – As California prepares to enter Phase 2 of Governor Gavin Newsom’s four-phase reopening plan on Friday, two counties in Northern California are getting ahead of the rest of the state by allowing businesses like hair salons, gyms, and malls their welcome customers back.
Phase 2 allows businesses such as flower shops, sporting goods stores, and book stores to reopen for curbside pick-up. Dine-in restaurants, gyms, and beauty salons are part of Phase 3.
Dr. Phuong Luu, the bi-county public health officer for Yuba and Sutter counties, issued a modified public health order that went into effect Monday.
According to the new order, restaurants, shopping malls, construction, real estate, agriculture, gyms and fitness studios, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, spas, massage therapy centers, and tattoo parlors are all allowed to operate as long as appropriate business modifications are made to adhere to social distancing and other tenets of combating COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is dangerous and scary but it is not the only health issue,” Dr. Luu added.
Dr. Luu noted that while COVID-19 remains the top medical concern in both counties, it’s not the only health concern affecting the community.
“We cannot wait for a vaccine without seeing extreme economic damage done to our community. The consequences of waiting will be additional health concerns brought on by stress and the very real dilemma for those with limited resources whether to buy life-saving food or life-saving medicines,” Dr. Luu said.
The decision to allow most businesses to reopen was driven by low hospitalization rates in both counties. Together, they’ve had a total of 50 COVID-19 cases and three deaths in an area where more than 170,000 people live.
“They’re making a big mistake. They’re putting their public at risk. They’re putting our progress at risk,” Governor Newsom said during a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. The governor has not said whether the state will take legal action against counties defying the stay-at-home order.
For Amy Johnson, owner of Rockabetty’s Hair Parlor in Yuba City, the county’s new order came as a sigh of relief after going six weeks without pay or unemployment benefits.
“We’re desperate to get back to our lives and pay our bills,” Johnson said. “But the most important thing is that we all stay safe. We are taking this seriously.”
Under the county’s new guidelines, Johnson is only allowed to have 10 people inside the building at once and all of her clients must wear a face covering at all times.
Before entering the salon, customers have to wait at the door to have their hands and feet sanitized. They also sign a release form saying they’re not sick or haven’t been around anyone that’s been ill or tested positive for COVID-19.
“We’re supposed to be doing 30-minute close contact, so that means someone is going to leave with wet hair or a quick root touch up,” Johnson explained.
One of Johnson’s clients, Sandra Bordsen, said she didn’t mind having to walk out with wet hair due to the new safety measures.
“I don’t like the whole mask thing, but because it is a requirement for the girls to reopen, I happily wear one for them,” Bordsen added.
However, not all of her clients have been as understanding, says Johnson.
“There have been a few people that do not want to wear a mask, so they’ve canceled their appointment. I have to keep everyone safe,” Johnson said.
On Wednesday, Dr. Luu issued a statement saying she was concerned that many businesses are disregarding the safety guidelines by allowing people to not wear a face covering and by not practicing social distancing. Dr. Luu warned businesses that if they don’t comply, the counties will go back to stricter orders.