What to expect at your next haircut now that Tri-Cities shops are open
After checking on her empty Kennewick hair salon every morning for over three months, Franki Anderson got back to work this week doing what she loves.
The owner of Franki & Co. salon and spa opened again for business Tuesday along with others now allowed in a Phase 1 modification adapted for Benton and Franklin counties from Washington’s overall Safe Start reopening phases.
“We want to see everybody. They just got to be patient,” said Anderson, who has been a licensed stylist for 35 years. “After these first few weeks, everyone will fall into their new routines.”
Customers should expect appointments to look different from before the coronavirus pandemic.
The only personal services allowed to open are cosmetologists, hairstylists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, nail salons, electrologists, permanent makeup artists, tattoo artists, cosmetology schools and and esthetics schools.
- All services are only allowed to accommodate 25 percent of their usual building capacity.
- Workers and customers must wear masks or face coverings during the appointment. That’s required by both the Benton Franklin Health District and the state, and signs about that rule must be posted prominently.
- Customers shouldn’t expect to lounge in waiting areas, but instead call from your car when you arrive. And wait in your car until it’s your turn.
- Masks should be put on before leaving your vehicle.
- Clients should screen themselves before appointments for symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, coughing, headaches or chills. If there is any sign of being sick, cancel the appointment.
- Come alone — unless you’re bringing a child younger than 16 for an appointment.
- Any open business is required to turn in a safety plan to the county where the business is licensed, then display the plan where it can be seen by the public. And individual safety plans must be filed by hairdressers who rent their spaces.
For more information and business resources, go to tcopenandsafe.com.