Those businesses will have to follow state guidelines designed to limit exposure amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For some businesses that spoke to the News-Sun, it means continuing or expanding some preventive measures put in place in March.
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A state stay-at-home order implemented in March called for the closing of businesses not deemed essential. As a result, restaurants were asked to only provide carryout, delivery or curbside pickup options for customers. Barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and day spas were ordered to temporarily close their doors.
Missi Byas, owner of Bombshell Beauty Parlor in Springfield, said her phone began ringing off the hook immediately after Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement on Thursday.
“I am over the moon excited,” Byas said, as she worked to hang a massive ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ sign on the side of her salon.
Byas said she and her employees are in the process of combing over all of the Governor’s new safety requirements for salons — like taking the temperatures of clients, sanitizing workstations after each client and cutting down on walk-in appointments.
“We are going to be crazy busy,” Byas said. “But we will do whatever we need to do to stay open.”
Geoff Norman, who has owned the Fountain on Main restaurant for 17 years, said he is, “thankful that this is happening sooner.”
“Originally I thought we would have to wait until June,” Norman said. “We are ready to take care of people.”
His business has relied extensively on carryout orders since the stay-at-home order. He said carryout accounts for roughly 30 percent of his business. In the meantime, Norman said he has had to temporarily downsize staff as well as limit menu options.
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However, Norman plans on regaining his full staff as customers are allowed back inside his restaurant. He said he will continue preventive measures taken at the restaurant during the pandemic.
Restaurants will have to follow social distancing, groups must be kept physically separated from other parties. Some of those employees will wear a mask. However, for some workers it will not be required as it may present a safety hazard, according to state guidelines.
It will be up to businesses whether or not customers will be required to wear masks in their establishments.
Norman said he is looking at ways to rearrange seating at his restaurant to ensure proper distancing between customers. One option is to eliminate seating in the front of the restaurant.
Dan Freeman said he has seen an increase in carryout orders at his deli on North Fountain Avenue this week and is looking at ways to spread out seating in the restaurant when inside dining is allowed.
He owns Salato Deli and Le Torte Dolci bakery along with his wife, Lisa. Most of the bakery’s business has traditionally been carryout orders, so the recent state announcement will have a greater impact on the deli, he said.
Dan Freeman said he doesn’t believe the new social distancing requirement in terms of seating will be an issue for his business. He is also looking at ways to separate those dine-in customers from those waiting in line to order.
In terms of personal protective equipment, his employees are already wearing masks.
He said another eatery of theirs, Crust & Company in COhatch The Market will likely be open by the time inside dining is allowed again.
Both Freeman and Norman said it is unclear how the changes in seating will affect how many people will be able to be seated in their restaurants.
Ashley Aldridge, owner of Champion City Hair Salon in Springfield, said along with following the recommendations from the state — her salon will also be taking additional safety precautions to keep customers healthy.
“We will be taking temperatures and asking clients to come alone to their appointments,” Aldridge said. “Clients will be asked to wash their hands upon arrival and by showing up they are agreeing that they have been symptom-free for the past two weeks.”
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Matt Digel, owner of East High Barber, said barbershops and salons in Ohio already have a, “pretty strict set of rules,” for sanitization.
“These won’t be big changes. We always have to sanitize in between customers and wash our hands,” Digel said.
Regardless of what the ‘new normal’ may mean for restaurants, bar and salons, Digel said he knows everyone is ready to, “get back at it.”
“We are booked up all the way through Friday and Saturday. As soon as the announcement came out. We are fully booked every 15 minutes from the minute we open,” Digel said. “It’s going to be crazy.”