Some Personal Service Businesses Can Reopen Outdoors

Local COVID-19 Data and State allow for reopening of Personal Services Outdoors

San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health is moving forward with the reopening of some personal care services[External] offered outdoors.  Nail salons, massage therapy, esthetic services, cosmetology and skin care services can reopen outdoors effective immediately.

Indoor and outdoor services for tattooing, piercing and electrolysis must remain closed because of Marin’s status on the State of California’s County Monitoring List.

Public Health had temporarily halted the reopening of personal services to watch data surrounding the business sector in addition to being added to the State’s watch list. Most personal services will be allowed to move forward in an outdoor setting only with some precautions in place to support a safe and clean environment outdoors for both employees and customers.

“Since the beginning of our reopening process in early May, Marin Public Health has committed to moving at a sequential rate, guided by local COVID-19 data,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s Public Health Officer. “The recent decision to move hair salons outside showed that personal services can be managed effectively outdoors. We’ll continue to monitor our local and state data and make adjustments for the safety or our community and economy.”

All Marin businesses must complete and implement a Site-Specific Protection Plan[External] (also known as Revised Appendix A) prior to reopening.  The plan should include industry specific guidance mandated by the State of California. Nail salons, massage therapy, esthetic services, skin care and cosmetology businesses operating outdoors should follow the guidance for personal care services provided outdoors[External PDF] provided by the state.  In addition, the state provides a checklist for personal care services provided outdoors[External PDF] to guide a business owner through the modifications needed to transition traditionally indoor personal services businesses to an outdoor environment. Once complete, businesses should post their completed Site-Specific Protection Plan for customers and employees to review.

Additional resources for business owners – including sample signage and sources for purchasing PPE – are available on the “Reopening Resources[External]” page of MarinRecovers.com.