RE: Information regarding your state's back-to-practice permission date and safety guidelines to minimize risk of exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19 in the workplace.
Permission to Practice
Governor Wolf announced in a recent press release that the following counties will enter the Green Phase on June 26, 2020: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Susquehanna. Philadelphia County met the criteria to move into the Green Phase on June 26, 2020; however, local officials will maintain some additional restrictions until July 3, 2020. Lebanon County will remain in the Yellow Phase due to an upswing in coronavirus cases.
The Green Phase allows for hair salons and barbershops to open at 50% occupancy with services scheduled by appointment only, and massage therapy services to open at 50% occupancy with appointments strongly encouraged.
The Pennsylvania Department of State just released Guidance for Cosmetology Salons that must be followed by all services listed below during the Green Phase. The guidance outlines services that are permitted at this time:
"Services permitted to be performed in salons:
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Shampooing and conditioning of the hair on the head.
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Cutting of the hair on the head.
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Styling of the hair on the head (e.g. arranging, braiding, dressing, curling, waving, singing, pressing, twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking).
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Chemical treatments of the hair on the head (e.g. permanent waving, bleaching, coloring).
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Removal of superfluous hair only when such removal can be accomplished with a mask on both the salon employee and client.
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Manicures.
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Pedicures.
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Massage therapy services.
Services not permitted to be performed:
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Services which would require the removal of the client's face mask (e.g. facials, removing hair from lip or chin area)."
Businesses that decide to reopen during the Green Phase and have questions may email ra-cosmetology@pa.gov. Another helpful resource is Pennsylvania's Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.
Additional Safety Resources
ABMP, ASCP, AHP, and ANP understand there is a fine line between getting back to work and earning an income and protecting the safety of you and your clients. As you consider returning to work, we urge you to make government permission to work only one element of your decision about whether and when to reopen. Please review our comprehensive series of back-to-practice guidelines to help reduce risk and keep you and your clients safe.
- Massage practitioners: ABMP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Estheticians: ASCP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Cosmetologists: AHP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
- Nail professionals: ANP Back-to-Practice Guidelines
We also have helpful forms and printouts available on our website, including office policies, screening questionnaires, and posters to remind clients about social distancing and handwashing.
Additional Financial Resources and Updates
Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are due no later than June 30, 2020. The additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) both end July 31, 2020. These loans/grants are available to all members, including sole practitioners and small businesses. The PPP can be forgiven if used for payroll and other business expenses and may be of assistance to you as you return to work. In addition, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program remains available to members through December 31, 2020. The EIDL is a low-interest (3.75%) loan that can be paid out over 30 years. Visit our Financial Relief Options page on our website for more information about the PPP and the EIDL.
We appreciate your membership and will continue working on your behalf to update you as we learn more. Please check our COVID-19 page for updates. Be safe and be well.
If you have questions or concerns, email us at gr@abmp.com.