California Governor Allows San Diego To Move Into Stage 3 Reopening | San Diego Salons & Barber Shops Can Reopen Immediately

May 26, 2020

At today's press conference, California Governor Gavin Newson revealed that San Diego County will be permitted to move into Stage 3 reopening of the local economy, which allows for the opening of barber shops, salons, and other personal care services, as well as churches, so long as meaningful modifications are made to reduce the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

On May 19, San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to forward a plan and attestation to CA Governor Gavin Newsom requesting that San Diego operate a pilot program to accelerate reopening our local economy. Supervisor Nathan Fletcher was the only one that voted against the proposal, citing fears of venturing past stage 2. The following evening, the state approved San Diego County Board of Supervisors plan to allow restaurants to open for dine-in and retail shops for in-store shopping, effective immediately, but the pilot program was not approved at that time.

Under the proposed pilot program, county officials asked the California governor to allow the reopening of research labs, therapeutic and peer support groups, modified youth sports clubs, and outdoor religious services as early. This would also allow for the reopening of hair salons and other personal care services, as well as HOA/apartment/condominium pools at 25% capacity and personal services like salons and fitness facilities at 25% capacity with appointment only. It is not yet known if the governor has permitted additional reopenings other than beauty salons and churches. Deeper stage 3 openings like movie theaters, religious services, sports leagues, tours/sports fishing, arts and cultural venues, college and universities, and other personal services are still to-be-determined at an unknown future date.

In San Diego, places of worship are permitted to operate starting tomorrow with up to 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower, and also must modify actions like reducing sharing cups, singing, and communion. Hair salons and barber shops in San Diego County are also allowed to reopen effective immediately, so long as they fill out and post the county's Safe Opening Plan. Nail salons and other beauty personal care service providers must continue to stay closed.The facial covering health order continues to be in effect in San Diego for both employees and customers, so open businesses must ensure patrons wear face coverings when inside. One on one sports instruction may also resume in San Diego.

California has published guidance to help salons reopen, as well as for places of worship.