NASHVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – According to state lawmakers, hair salons and barbershops in Tennessee will be able to open their doors to customers beginning Wednesday, May 6, with guidance set by the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command.
The announcement follows an executive order signed by Governor Lee that would extend the closure of personal care and entertainment businesses through May 29. Since then, many hair salon and barbershop owners across the state voiced their concerns to lawmakers, with many arguing that such businesses are already required to meet strict health and safety standards that equip them to meet the needs of customers.
In a statement to WKRN, Representative Ryan Williams of Putnam County said the decision to reopen hair salons and barbershops was announced on Wednesday, April 29, during a weekly teleconference between state lawmakers and Governor Bill Lee.
In the call, Lee said that this had been part of his plan from the beginning. This morning on Twitter, he shared an excerpt Executive Order No.30 concerning revisions to reopening dates.
Executive Order No. 30 addresses close contact services that have not yet received guidance and remain closed for the time being. As the order stated, we anticipate the safe re-open of these services before May 29.
Read the full order: https://t.co/qoerPDxwpH pic.twitter.com/Y3nwBdJE6j
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 29, 2020
Lee also acknowledged concerns voiced by business owners surrounding the initial executive order.
“There will be changes to the ways that we are operating and allowing businesses to open over the next 30 days — and those will be made in accordance with how data shows we should be making those decisions,” Lee told lawmakers.
“I’ve had a lot of calls even overnight about salons and barber shops, which we plan to open next Wednesday in the 89 counties.”
Wednesday’s announcement factors in to the governor’s “Tennessee Pledge” plan, which applies to 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, those excluded being Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Sullivan counties.
Several local barbershops have already responded to Wednesday’s news with reopening announcements on social media.
Williams was not sure if the reopening would include other personal care businesses such as nail salons, but expected clarification from the governor on Thursday, April 3o.
For updates on COVID-19 in Tennessee, including the number of confirmed cases and where they are occurring, visit the Tennessee Department of Health at their website.