On July 13, the same day that California’s governor announced the state was largely closing down again, ISBN reached out to members with U.S. and Canadian versions of an industry white paper titled “Hair Salons: A Licensed Industry Prepared to Stay Open.”
“As many states have seen surges, we believe there will be continued unpredictability and increased likelihood that additional shut downs may occur,” wrote ISBN Government Relations Committee Chair Rhoda Olsen of Great Clips on behalf of the ISBN Board. “We believe that salons should be allowed to stay open, given their regulated processes.”
[sdm_download id=”3740″ fancy=”0″ color=”green”]Both the U.S. (click above) and Canadian (scroll down to download) versions of the white papers emphasize the following facts:
- Salons are one of few retail businesses that are licensed, inspected and already comply with aggressive safety and sanitation processes.
- Salons are well positioned to remain open and fully comply with additional requirements.
- Salons are continuously inspected by the state boards of cosmetology.
- Salon owners have made significant investments to open safely.
- Initial demand was high, but business has fallen off and any additional shut downs would increase the likelihood of more significant financial stress for the salon owner and stylist.
- Licensed professionals/salons and are well prepared to execute all disinfecting and required processes effectively.
All salon, spa and barbershop owners, leaders, employees and industry partners are encouraged to download and share the white papers with state and local government officials, media, other salon owners, clients and across their digital and social media platforms.
“White Papers have been effective in communicating our strength as an industry,” Olsen says. “We will continue to monitor state and provincial activity and ask for your help in identifying states where voter voice advocacy campaigns or other efforts may be helpful.”
Here is the link to the Canadian version of the “Salons Prepared to Stay Open” document.
[sdm_download id=”3748″ fancy=”0″ color=”green”]While the COVID-19 level of activity in Canada is lower, Olsen says the Canadian version will be updated with appropriate information by province, if necessary.