Salons And Phase 2: New Rules But A Smooth Operation

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Getting a haircut this week amid Phase 2 coronavirus reopening restrictions was quick and painless ... and the entire process felt surprisingly routine.

That is, once the rules were understood.

Back in May, Amanda Rae Knight, the owner and operator of Attitudes Salon at 1750 Ellington Road in South Windsor, was a bit worried about the process of reopening. Would she need expensive disinfecting equipment that could run in the thousands of dollars? How many customers could be in the shop at the same time? What would be the spacing requirements?

It all was simplified over that month's time to what Knight said is a workable plan.

"I'm just glad to be back open," she said. "And my clients are just glad to be able to get their cuts again. We've adjusted."

Knight said each stylist can only be with one client at a time. Slylists must wear face protection and clients must have a mask on. Clients entering the salon are presented with a temperature check and a waiver sheet. Clients are urged to call ahead to make sure stylists have had ample time to clean their stations.

Gone is the coffee and beverage station at Attitudes. Clients who request water can have a bottle, Knight said. She transformed her waiting area into a single cutting station with two more in the main room, separated by a curtain. Clients and stylists can easily move from the washing chair to the cutting chair while maintaining proper distancing.

Knight said she is still hesitant to use a blow dryer for an extended period of time, but the overhead dryers are in use.

"The difference is, I can't move from one client under the dryer to another waiting for a cut while the drying takes place," she said. "It's now one at a time."

The new setup at Attitudes includes a UV wand and partitions. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

Clients not being served must wait outside and cuts are done by appointment only, thus eliminating walk-ins.

Every garment gets tossed in an airtight container after being used once and then sent off to a cleaning service, Knight said.

Each station is meticulously cleaned after each client, Knight said. Rather than forcing salons to purchase disinfecting machines than can run more than $1,000, state officials settled on a less-expensive method. Knight uses the traditional blue liquid for some instruments along with this greenish stuff that just looks like it could kill every germ in its path.

She also has an ultra violet disinfecting wand as a bonus cleaner.

The rest room is cleaned after each use.

Knight said it was an easier transition that she first thought.

"Once everyone gets used to what's now normal, it's going to feel easy," she said. "I'm just glad to be back with my clients. We're all like family here."