With phase one of the governor’s reopening plan now underway in the Finger Lakes, many are already looking forward to phase two.

That’s when the Governor’s says salons and barbershops will be able to reopen.

Scott Miller, owner of Scott Miller Salon and Spa, says while the past two months have been a challenge for his business and employees, he is excited to begin a plan to bring back his workers and customers in a safe manner.

“People have kept asking us, “When are you going to reopen? When are you going to reopen?” and we kept saying “We don’t know”” said Miller. “We are all more than ready. Our clients are more than ready but we just have to do it safely and intelligently.”

Local barbershops and salons say after getting the official word from the governor on where they landed in his reopening plan, they are starting to renovate their business to meet social distancing guidelines.

“We are going to have these sneeze shields that are Plexiglas at the front desk. At our nail stations, all the service providers are going to be wearing masks and shields. We have disposable capes, we have all kinds of sanitation devices,” said Miller. “We are going to use alternate shampoo bowls. The waiting area is going to be spread out….We are not going to have magazines but we are trying to keep people away from each other and keep things as clean as it can be.”

“I want to make sure that we address the proper safety guidelines withing our industry so that we don’t revert back to closing again ….due to us not practicing safe guidelines”said Willie Lightfoot, owner of New Creations Barbershop. “There’s not going to be anymore waiting. It’s going to be appointment only and then you are going to have to wait in your car or wait outside and one customer at a time per barber.”

It will be at least two weeks before phase two is likely to begin in the Finger Lakes region.

— 13 WHAM