Monterey, San Benito Counties to allow nail salons to open indoors

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 9/22/2020 1:50 p.m. Both Monterey and San Benito County officials say they will allow nail salons to open indoor operations after Dr. Mark Ghaley announced updated state guidelines.

The state now allows counties in the purple tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy to open indoor operations at nail salons with modifications.

For nail salons operating indoors, they will have to follow guidance for personal care services and post a checklist for personal care services in the workplace.

Some of the suggestions in the guidance include implementing social distancing measures, staggering appointment times, asking clients to wash their hands before services are provided, considering installing a plastic partition and allowing only one manicurist to work at each station.

UPDATE 9/22/2020 12:30 p.m. Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Tuesday that nail salons will be added to the purple tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Dr. Ghaly did not immediately provide specific details, but hair salons and barbershops have been allowed to operate indoors statewide. Businesses allowed to open in the purple tier can open statewide.

County health officials would need to make the final decision to allow them to reopen.

Prior to the announcement, nail salons were only able to operate outdoors with modifications in the purple tier. They were allowed to open indoors in the red tier.

He also announced that several counties are moving to new tiers. Alameda, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo and Solano moved to the red tier; El Dorado, Lassen and Nevada counties have moved to the orange tier and Mariposa has moved to the yellow tier.

PREVIOUS STORY: Dr. Mark Ghaly, the California Health and Human Services Secretary, is expected to provide an update on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the California Department of Public Health, there were more than 781,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide as of Sept. 20. 15,018 people have died.