South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday that close contact service providers, fitness and exercise centers, commercial gyms and public or commercial pools will be able to open in a limited capacity on Monday, May 18.
Close contact service providers include the following businesses: Barbershops, hair salons, waxing salons, threading salons, nail salons and spas, body-art facilities and tattoo services, tanning salons, massage-therapy establishments and massage services.
Wilson Eidson owns Wilson's on Washington in Greenville. He said 32 stylists have been out of work for weeks. As soon as he learned of the governor's announcement, Eidson said his phones consistently rang for hours. Eidson said he is willing to follow the guidelines for close-contact businesses to reopen if it means employing his staff and serving customers again.
“I absolutely do think we can be safe," Eidson said. We just have to be smart. You can be as covered up, you can be in a trash bag, you can have a face mask. You can do everything you want to do and we will work around it. We have our signs up, we have our gloves ready and masks ready. We’ll do the space between the styling stations.”
Eidson has consent signs posted at each station, listing out coronavirus symptoms so customers can remain aware. The stylist also said he is prepared to do some business outside to limit indoor interaction. He said the toughest challenge would be to keep staff from touching their faces while serving clients.