Local health districts order hair and nail salons, massage therapists to close - theday.com

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The Uncas and Ledge Light health districts issued orders Thursday afternoon ordering hair salons, barbershops, nail, facial salons, massage therapists and other such businesses, whose workers come in direct contact with customers, to close by 10 p.m. Thursday.

The order follows a letter issued by the state Department of Public Health on Tuesday urging the facilities to close and leaving local health districts with the discretion to order the services closed.

Most local salon owners took the Tuesday recommendation seriously, Uncas Health District Director Patrick McCormack said Wednesday. But local health directors urged the state to order salons to close during a conference call Wednesday between health district directors and Christian Andresen, DPH section chief of practitioner licensing and investigations to ensure uniform actions.

"Ledge Light Health District has ordered the closure of all licensed cosmetology establishments including: Hairdressing and Cosmetology Salons, Barber Shops, Nail Salons, Estheticians, and Persons engaging in facials, waxing and makeup applications with respect to the Ledge Light Health District Regulation," Thursday's order by Ledge Light said. "This closure will remain in effect until further notice."

The Uncas Health District letter listed "hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and any other establishments engaging in personal cosmetic services, including hair styling, waxing, makeup applications and foot spas with respect to Uncas Health District regulations."

“The nature of your profession puts you in direct contact with your clients and customers,” said Tuesday's state letter, addressed to barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, eyelash technicians, and massage therapists. “Therefore, the risk of transmission if you or a client is infected is higher than professions that do not require direct contact.”

Joanne Glidden, owner of Hair Do’s salon at 9 N. Second Ave. in the Taftville section of Norwich, said she received Tuesday's and decided to close starting Saturday. The health district order jumped that up by one day. Glidden said she and her two hairdresser employees called clients and tried to fit them in before closing.

Glidden said even without the order, she learned Tuesday that hair products suppliers have shut down, and she would not be able to obtain hairspray, color and treatment products. Glidden said her cleaning person has been cleaning and disinfecting the salon throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

Kiesha Murphy, co-owner of Spoiled Salon, Bravado Barbershop and Bravado Academy, all at 190 State St. in New London, said the facilities closed Monday, a day before she received the state letter. Murphy sent emails to clients saying the salon would close at least until March 27. She said the state letter validated her decision.

“I actually felt better that somebody higher than me made the decision,” Murphy said of the state letter.

She said she talked with several other local salon owners, and some had closed already or were planning to close. Spoiled and Bravado currently have three barber apprentices, five barbers, three stylists and four students, ranging in age from 18 to 25, at the hair school.

Murphy is working with the state Department of Higher Education and will apply this week for approval to start teaching remotely to ensure that her students will be able to graduate on time.

c.bessette@theday.com