CA nail salons, tattoo parlors will open next week, but Fresno Co. will delay opening

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- You can have a cocktail... but you can't get a manicure just yet in Fresno County.

While bars are welcoming back customers at the counter, other businesses in the county are being told to wait.

So far, gyms, the zoo, and hair salons can open their doors after being forced to close due to the coronavirus.

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But other services will be waiting for another two weeks.

"The delay is very excessive," Thanh Nguyen, owner of Heavenly Nails and Spa, told Action News.

He's implemented safety measures to protect customers and wonders why that's not enough.

Even though the state is giving the green light for nail salons and tattoo parlors to open June 19th, Fresno County health officials say more time is needed to ensure safe practices.

"(It) will give us extra time and give our team and environmental health experts time to work with these industries and have the resources in place," said Dr. Rais Vohra with the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Earlier this week, county health officials say they've doubled in coronavirus cases within a span of two weeks.

Nguyen says he's been ready to reopen, and he's disappointed he'll have to wait

"We have been well-prepared, we have understood and been up to date on what's needed to operate under certain guidelines."

Some of those preparations include having both his clients and staff wear masks, requiring customers to sign in to keep for their records, and Plexiglas barriers.

They also plan to do temperature checks at the door.

Nguyen says they should've been able to reopen at the same time as hair salons.

"We sanitize with barbicide. We're under the same state regulations. Why separate barber and nail salons a month apart?"

He plans to take advantage of the extra time and make sure his salon is as safe as it can be for his clients' return.

Along with nail salons, the county plans to allow tattoo parlors, waxing and facial providers and aestheticians to reopen on June 26.

For more news coverage on the coronavirus and COVID-19 go to ABC30.com/coronavirus