Monterey County Supervisors write Board of Barbering and Cosmetology requesting business reopening

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Several members of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors have sent a letter to the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology asking the agency to reconsider its stance and allow businesses to reopen.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that hair salons, barbershops and personal services are required to close indoor operations in Monterey County and 29 other counties due to the spread of COVID-19. In response, the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said section 7317 of the Business and Professions Code only allows services to be performed in a licensed establishment, so it said businesses in affected counties should close immediately and not offer outdoor services.

In the letter from Supervisors Luis Alejo, John Philips, Chris Lopez, Jane Parker and Mary Adams, they said they believe the businesses can safely perform services outdoors and are seeing a high demand. They asked the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to reconsider its stance and work with businesses to provide outdoor services.

The 30 counties on the State's watch list, which include Monterey and San Benito Counties, are required to close indoor operations at fitness centers, worship services, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, malls, hair salons and barbershops.

Statewide, counties are required to close indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and cardrooms. Bars are required to close all operations.