What To Expect As Arlington's Businesses Start To Reopen

ARLINGTON, MA – Arlington is closely following the state's four-phase plan to reopen businesses, meaning services such as hair salons and pet groomers were allowed to open Monday. Town officials said businesses are not required to be inspected by state or local authorities prior to opening; however, they must self-certify for compliance with workplace safety and sector safety standards issued by the state.

Businesses are required to develop a written COVID-19 Control Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, each business must sign and post a compliance attestation poster in a visible location to both employees and customers.

Concerns about workplace standards can be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards at 508-616-0461 x9488 and/or the Arlington Health Department at 781-316-3170.

What to expect at...

Hair Salons/Barbershops:

• Appointments must be made in advance. No walk-ins are allowed.

• Face coverings (with nose and mouth covered) must be worn by customers and staff unless exempt due to medical condition or disability.

• Services are limited to haircuts, blow-drying, and treatments. Services NOT permitted include eyebrows, beard trimming, lip waxing, manicures, etc.

• Waiting areas are closed – customers must wait in car or outside until the time of the appointment.

• Non-essential amenities are removed (magazines, customer-facing beverage dispensers, coat rooms, etc.)

• Sign in log required to help with possible contact tracing.

• Work stations are at least six feet apart and separated by physical partitions when feasible.

• Visual markers are installed by business to encourage customers to remain six feet apart.

• Workers must wear face coverings, gloves, gowns or smocks, and protective eyewear.

• Workers’ gloves are changed and hands are washed before and after each customer and a new gown/smock is donned between each customer.

• Clean capes are used for each customer.

• Workers are not permitted to share tools/supplies.

• Tools are disinfected between customers.

• Notices are posted in the business about important health information and relevant safety measures.• High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently.

• Cleaning logs are kept that include date, time, and scope of cleaning.

• The business must shut down for a deep cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with current CDC guidance if a positive case is identified.

• Contactless payments are encouraged.

Curbside Pick-up:

• Customers must call ahead or order online.

• It is strongly recommended that customers pay for their orders online or over the phone.

• Customers pick up their order by going to the retailer and waiting outside.

• If a customer drove to the retailer, they call the retailer and provide their order information.

• The retailer delivers the order to the customer in their vehicle and payment is provided if not provided over the phone or online.

• If a customer walked to the retailer, they call the retailer and report their order information as they wait outside obeying social distance practices.

• The retailer delivers the order to the customer outside and payment is provided if not provided over the phone or online.

• The customer and delivery employee must wear masks if social distancing is not possible.

Pet Groomers:

• Call the groomer to schedule appointments, including drop off and pick up times to reduce face-to-face communication.

• Pet drop-off must occur outside at curbside. Customers are not allowed in the facility.• Pet grooming is not allowed for a pet that lives in a household where there is a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 individual.

• Face coverings (with nose and mouth covered) must be worn by customers and staff unless exempt due to a medical condition or disability.

• Groomers must provide leashes to guide pets to prevent a hand-off of an owner's leash at the time of service.

• Visual markers are installed by facility to encourage customers to remain six feet apart outside.

• Notices are posted in the business about important health information and relevant safety measures.

• No more than one groomer and one pet per bathing area is allowed at one time.

• Tools must be disinfected between pets.

• Work stations are at least six feet apart and separated by physical partitions when feasible.

• High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently.

• Cleaning logs are kept that include date, time, and scope of cleaning.

• The business must shut down for a deep cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with current CDC guidance if a positive case is identified.

• Contactless payments are encouraged.