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Metro Creative Connection

Erie County to assist licensed barber shops, salons in getting ready for phase two reopening

Mon, Jun 1st 2020 03:45 pm

County will distribute face shields to establishments reopening for phase two

Erie County will be assisting licensed local barber shops and hair salons reopening their businesses by providing face shields for barbers and stylists’ use as they return to work in phase two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to reopen New York.

The face shields are part of a supply of PPE acquired by the county to address health and safety needs related to the pandemic and will be distributed at no cost to help barbershops and salons reopen quickly and meet the newly issued state guidelines requiring this additional protection.

Employees in this sector must wear both face masks and face shields when providing service directly to their customers. Erie County will also be making hand sanitizer available to these businesses.

“We are working to make the reopening process easier for barber shops and salons by providing the PPE they need to keep their employees and customers safe and also comply with state guidance,” Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. “We are in this together and working for all to make this phase two reopening period successful.”

To obtain PPE, barbershops and salons must submit their request at www.erie.gov/faceshields.

The request must include:

  • Proof of New York state appearance enhancement operator or barber operator license
  • Names of employees for each face shield requested (one per person)

Shop owners are encouraged to apply for their entire licensed staff. A copy of each staffer's professional license will need to be the uploaded at the time of application to be eligible.

Individual barbers and cosmetologists who are unable to obtain PPE through an employer are also able to submit a request. Proof of Erie County residency is required.

After the request is approved, directions and location for pickup will be provided in an email response. Pickup dates will be scheduled later this week.

Speaking to reporters, Poloncarz added, “We also … are offering COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Barbers and beauticians do not have to have a COVID-19 test before they start, but they have to have one of them within the first two weeks.

“The assumption is if you are not showing the symptoms you probably do not have it – especially based on the numbers we have. But then when you start dealing with the members of the public, and what we're seeing elsewhere … we want to ensure that barbers and beauticians, stylists, don't have that.

“So, Erie County will be offering free diagnostic testing. You have to register, of course. Call 858-2929. You have to do that once every two weeks. You will get a written response from Erie County on the results of your test. If you have a negative test, you can have proof of it.”

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