Georgia Salons Set To Reopen April 24—Here Are The State Board Guidelines To Know Before You Do
Georgia State Board Guidelines To Know For Reopening Your Salon!
Starting Friday, April 24, Georgia hair salons and barber shops will be able to reopen, as long as they adhere to specific health and safety guidelines. The Georgia State Board of Cosmetologists and Barbers has released recommendations for beauty professionals to protect themselves and their clients. If any salon is found not following these recommendations, they could be shut down indefinitely following a failed inspection. Below, we’re breaking down what you can do for your clients, your salon and yourself to stay healthy (and open!) behind the chair.
Disclaimer: These guidelines are recommended to be used in addition to regular state board health regulations. Please consider these extra steps when reopening your salon. Click here to read the entire state board guidelines pdf.
Click Here For A Downloadable Disinfection + Cleaning Checklist!
For Clients
At this point, you have likely talked to the clients booked for appointments (and if not, now is the time). Check in to make sure they are feeling healthy and have been taking recommended precautions. If they are ready to come into the salon for an appointment, the Georgia State Board recommends the following:
- BEFORE they enter the salon, ask them the following questions:
- Have you had a cough?
- Have you had a fever?
- Have been/do you live with anyone that has shown symptoms in the last 14 days?
- Consider using a touchless, infrared thermometer to check client temps before entering the salon.
- Have clients wait in their car until it’s time for their appointment and let them know when to come in.
- If possible, supply them with a mask to wear during their service (if they don’t have their own!)
- Before they sit down, have them wash their hands.
- Apply a protective neck strip to each client requesting a haircut.
For Stylists
The Georgia State Board recommends that stylists follow these guidelines to protect themselves and their clients during appointments:
- Wear a face mask and disposable gloves during each service and change between clients.
- Change your smock between each client.
- If possible, wear a protective face shield.
- In addition to regular health standards, workstations should be wiped down between every client, including:
- Chair
- Tray
- Station and mirror
- Any tools that were used during the service.
- Make sure all products and containers have lids and are closed when not in use.
For Your Salon
The Georgia State Board recommends these guidelines for keeping everyone that comes through your salon doors safe and healthy:
- Come into the salon an hour or two before opening to disinfect and clean before clients arrive.
- Maintain social distancing whenever possible! Here’s a few tips on how:
- Limit the number of people in the salon at one time. Take appointment clients only.
- If possible, place dividers between stations so only client and stylist are in close proximity.
- Clean and disinfect your retail area at opening and closing.
- Remove all unnecessary items from your reception area, like magazines and vases. BUT provide hand sanitizer and tissues to employees and clients.
- Consider placing stickers on the floor and placing signage to help communicate guidelines with clients.
- If you can, avoid accepting cash and utilize credit card payments as much as possible.
- Wipe down entire shampoo stations between each client. Consider wrapping shampoo bowls with plastic between clients.
- Remove unnecessary decor and items from the bathroom and post hand washing reminders instead. Wipe down surfaces after each use.
- Ensure break rooms are disinfected and not used for employees to hang out.
For Salon Owners:
Salon owners, be a leader when it comes to the health and safety of your clients and stylists. Follow these state board recommendations:
- Encourage employees who are sick to stay home.
- Provide training, educational materials and reinforce proper protocol on sanitation, disinfecting and health.
- Be flexible with work schedules and salon hours to reduce the number of people in the salon.
- If possible, provide employees and salon backstock with BARBICIDE®, gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer and tissues.
