On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the community spread of the coronavirus in the state began in a nail salon.
He has announced a four-phase plan to reopen California’s economy that begins today. However, the state’s nail salons will not be allowed to reopen, unlike some other states that have allowed manicurists to reopen.
Newsom said, “This whole thing started in the state of California, the first community spread, in a nail salon. I’m very worried about that.”
The governor said state health officials have put some “red flags” on nail salons as a high-risk business.
On Monday, Newsom announced that the state will allow some low-risk businesses, including florists, bookstores, warehouses, and others.
However, Michelle Saunders, the founder of Saunders & James Nail Care in Oakland, said she “shocked” by the governor’s remarks, adding she did not hear anything from the state health officials and the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology about the virus stemming from nail salons.
She said, “Had they known that this was the situation, absolutely zero information was ever sent to any nail care people in the industry at all. It was very scary to hear that.”
The governor did not provide any specific information about the association between the state’s coronavirus outbreak and nail salons.
Saunders James said Newsom’s remarks would “keep people away from the industry even after they can reopen.”
Newsom has not mentioned any timeline for when other businesses, including nail salons, can reopen.
In California, COVID-19 has infected more than 60,600 and killed at least 2,460 people, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Meanwhile, other states have not been cautious about reopening personal care locations such as nail salons. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced earlier this week that hair/nail salons, barbershops, and tanning salons will be allowed to reopen with modifications today.
