You can get a manicure again, Miami. Here’s what it’s like at the nail salon
The situation got out of hand. After weeks of quarantine, it’s finally time to get your nails done.
Manicures and pedicures are happening again in Miami-Dade County, as of Wednesday. The salons are part of the Phase 1 reopening plan that also includes barber shops, hair salons and retail stores.
There are a lot of happy people out there, who can hardly wait to resume life in the new normal, and look presentable again, even if just for a Zoom call.
At Harmony Salon in the Edgewater District of Miami, appointments were filling up through the day, they said. Walk-ins are no longer allowed, according to the state’s COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, so plan accordingly.
Clients are staggered to avoid too many people in the space at the same time, and the business has to operate only at 25 percent capacity. Advice: Get an early start.
There are no temperature checks at the door, but you are required to wear a mask and wash your hands well before sitting down. Blue duct tape on the floor a la Costco designates where you should stand to properly social distance. Forget about leafing through the latest gossip tabloid while you wait. The magazine racks are long gone to prevent the spread of disease.
Plexiglass was put up around the cashier’s desk and in between technicians and visitors. But the manicurist’s physical distance remains at an arm’s length. Pedicurist stations did not have plexiglass, at least at Harmony.
All employees wore masks, hand sanitizers were at the manicurists’ tables and employees continually wiped down counters, stations and equipment, even the little bottles of polish.
Among the businesses hit hard by COVID-19, the nail-care industry was dealt an extra blow after California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that health officials traced his state’s community spread to a nail salon.
Soon after, Stephanie Lavery, editor of NailPro magazine, wrote a scathing open letter to Newsom saying the politician’s words were “irresponsible,” and he should be “ashamed at using his podium” to instill fear.
“You have singled out one segment of the population and put them under a microscope, opening them up to unfair judgment with your salacious remarks,” the letter.
Even before the pandemic emerged, the Florida Board Of Cosmetology, based in Tallahassee, oversaw all salons in the state, ensuring safe and sanitary conditions. The board “enforces laws and regulations through inspections, investigation into complaints submitted by consumers and conducts hearings, imposes penalties and enforces actions.”
As a longtime Harmony client, I felt pretty secure returning on Wednesday, but immediately shower after returning home. I tipped big, $10 on a $30 bright red gel manicure, to show my support.
A veteran technician said she was relieved to be back at work after so many weeks without a steady paycheck.
“I am so happy to be here again,” she said, admitting she was still getting used to wearing a mask all day. “I missed my clients and I think they missed me. Everyone wants to feel and look good after being stuck at home for so long.”
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 3:20 PM.
