HYDE PARK, Ohio (WKRC) - Nail salons were given the green light to reopen in Ohio Friday, but the next time you go to one, you may notice some changes.
Sean Luong, owner of Escape Nail & Spa on Edwards Road, said he’s taking every measure to ensure safety for both his customers and employees.
“We prepared everything for this social distancing and we keep everything clean and you know wiped down,” Luong said. “We’ve been waiting for a long time and you know it’s time to get back because a lot of people want to get this done.”
Luong is asking customers to sanitize their hands as soon as they walk in.
Employees will wear masks at all times, and they ask for customers to do the same.
Staff put up plastic glass barriers when getting a manicure and pedicure for an extra layer of protection.
“Most important thing is take down the capacity, it has to be less than what we have before,” Luong said. “Good thing we have a good space here.”
Customers said they’ve anxiously waited to come back.
“I’m just excited to be here and excited to be back and get beautified,” Anne Parker, a customer said. “As soon as I heard the news I called and they got me right in.”
Customers say the additional measures are noticed and appreciated.
“I definitely feel safe, they’ve given us hand sanitizer and cleaned everything off so I’m happy with it,” Sydney Thomas, a customer said.
“You know what I was really pleased and surprised, I think they did a great job. I feel completely comfortable. I feel it’s clean, the hand sanitizer, the protection glass here. I feel great,” Cheri Riley, a customer said. “It feels very normal even though it’s not. So the new normal feels a little normal.”
Luong says he’s been eager to reopen after being closed with no income.
“I got to pay the bills,” Luong said. “I myself haven’t got anything, even a stimulus check. And we apply and they keep saying pending, pending, but now it’s over and I say forget it I don’t need that. I don’t need unemployment no more, I have a job now.”
He adds he is excited to take care of his valued customers.
“They’ve been in lock down for long time so it’s almost like a taste of freedom,” Luong said.
Hair salons, barber shops, tattoos parlors and spas also reopened in Ohio Friday.
Salons in Kentucky will be allowed to reopen May 25.
Indiana salons already opened Monday.
