Ohio Announces Opening Dates For Salons and Barbershops
In his regular press conference on Thursday, May 7, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine announced the first stage of Ohio’s plan to reopen hair salons, day spas, nail salons, barbershops and tanning facilities on May 15, 2020. The order did not include guidance as to gyms or workout facilities. To see the detailed order, click here.
Facility Requirements and Recommendations
Businesses are required to maintain a minimum safe social distance of 6 feet between people —excluding an employee providing services to a client. Where this is not possible, the business must install a physical barrier. Businesses must post signage to this effect in conspicuous places in their establishments and establish new maximum capacity based on social distancing requirements. High-contact surfaces must be cleaned every hour, chairs and equipment must be cleaned after each use, and merchandise must be cleaned before stocking. All self-service refreshment and client testing of products must be discontinued. Items in waiting areas must either be disinfected regularly or, where that is not possible (e.g, magazines), must be discarded.
Businesses are advised, but not required, to close once a week for deep cleaning and adopt contact-less payment methods.
Employee Requirements and Recommendations
Employees must wear facial coverings, subject to certain exceptions. Employees are required to conduct daily symptom assessments and stay home if symptomatic. Employees are further required to wash their hands frequently, to wear single-use gloves, and to dispose of those and other single-use items between customers and/or tasks.
Employees are also encouraged, but not required, to wear eye protection at all times.
Customer Requirements and Recommendations
Customers are required to maintain safe social distancing at all times except between themselves and the employee with whom they are working. Customer entry must be staggered so as not to have groups of people queued at the door or check-in desk in violation of social distancing requirements. Customers may not enter with a guest (unless that individual is a caregiver) and may not enter if symptomatic. Businesses must provide hand sanitizers in all high-contact locations for customer use. Additionally, businesses must specify hours for high-risk populations.
Businesses may require customers to wear a mask at all times at their discretion and are encouraged to provide their services by appointment only.
Additional Information
A copy of Ohio’s requirements and suggested best practices is available here.
In that same press conference, Governor DeWine announced guidelines for the reopening of restaurants and bars. Vorys’ update on those requirements may be found here.
Vorys is carefully monitoring all states’ ongoing efforts to reopen salons and barbershops. Should you have any questions about navigating Ohio’s or any other state’s rapidly changing requirements, contact your Vorys lawyer.
In addition, Vorys has created and is offering Return-to-Work tool kits for companies, which include developing an appropriate reopening strategy, template protocols, a reopening considerations checklist, and access to Vorys attorneys for counseling and customization. If you are interested in learning more, please email covid19@vorys.com.
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VORYS COVID-19 TASK FORCE
Outside of this new law, employers continue to face myriad issues as COVID-19 continues to spread and impact communities and workplaces (some of these issues are addressed in our prior alerts located here). We will continue to keep you posted on any important developments.
We have also established a comprehensive Coronavirus Task Force, which includes attorneys with deep experience in the niche disciplines that we have been and expect to continue receiving questions regarding coronavirus. Learn more and see the latest updates from the task force at vorys.com/coronavirus.
