Columbia salon and gym workers expressed relief at being able to return to work this week after some coronavirus restrictions were lifted.
Jenny Lachney with Cuttin’ Up said Monday morning since the order was announced Friday her phones have been ringing off the hook.
“We are excited and relieved. Our next appointment is not until Friday,” she said.
Lachney said the stylists there are working split schedules to allow social distancing between the salon chairs.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced Friday he is extending the safer-at-home order for two more weeks until 8 a.m. May 25, but he modified the order to allow for the reopening of salons, barber shops and gyms. All of those had been closed since the coronavirus-related shutdowns began on March 14. They still must follow an array of rules to keep their buildings sanitized.
Rebecca Haygood with Entrigue said Monday she is happy to be back. However, she admits she is ready for life to get back to normal.
“It is different with all of the special guidelines we have to follow, but we are making it,” Haygood said.
Body FX’s manager Angela Dawsey said it is a good feeling to be back.
“Everyone is excited,” she said.
However, it hasn’t been overbearing or a concern of having too many people in the building, Dawsey said, because some people are still hesitant about starting back up.
Paul Kirkley, owner of Fitness Depot, said he was able to get the U.S. Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program loan/grant to keep paying his employees. He has been using this time to work on renovating the space next door to expand the facility. In the new area there will be additional upgrades, including installing showers. The goal is to open the new facility by Aug. 1.
Kirkley said he has received some criticism saying it is too soon to reopen, but he knows he can’t please everyone.
Overall, though, he said it hasn’t hurt too much and is determine to do the right thing. His biggest concern is he is hoping he will not lose his member base.
As of press time on Tuesday, Marion County has had 84 positive cases of the coronavirus and seven detahs. Marion General Hospital has six patients with COVID-19, but there are none in the Intensive Care Unit, according to the Health Department.
