Hair salons, barbershops allowed to reopen for service

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Hair salons and barbershops are allowed to open for full service in Riverside County on Monday, and malls may reopen at 25 percent capacity, according to a new order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

This news was part of an announcement of a new system for evaluating counties for reopening business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new process involves a four-tiered, color-coded system that counties must pass through to become more eligible for reopening.

Riverside County has been placed in the highest risk, or purple, level for “widespread” risk of COVID-19 spread, along with about 90 percent of the state’s counties. Even though Riverside County officials have noted a continued decrease in numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the county must remain at the purple level for at least 21 days before it can be considered for a move down into the red (substantial) level, when more non-essential indoor businesses would be allowed open.

After spending at least 21 days in each category, the county could eventually move to the orange (moderate) and yellow (minimal) levels, with more types of business allowed to re-open at each level, according to the state announcement.

Counties in the purple level are calculated to have more than 7 daily new cases for 100,000 people. To move all the way to the yellow level, counties can have no more than one daily new case per 100,000 residents.

According to the new state guidelines, places of worship may open for indoor services with modifications at the red level (4-7 new daily cases per 100,000) at 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. The same is true for movie theaters to open indoors. Gyms and fitness centers may reopen for indoor business at the red level at 10 percent capacity with modifications.

Restaurants will be allowed to open for indoor dining with modifications once reaching the red level, but only at 25 percent capacity or 100 people. Bars where no meals are served must remain closed until the orange level (1-3.9 new daily cases per 100,000), and only then for outdoor service.

The complete list of business reopening levels can be found here.

“Our businesses have adapted to all these restrictions in some very innovative and thoughtful ways, including moving outside,” said Vice Chair Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor. “Some of our businesses can now return to indoor operations, with safeguards in place. Businesses must continue to invest in protecting their employees and customers, as these measures help slow the spread and support economic recovery.”

The City of Menifee has not established any guidelines stricter than the county guidelines but is obligated to follow at least the minimum county requirements.