Initiate Stage 2

Idaho continues to slowly reopen

BOISE — It looks like the bad hair day is over as Gov. Brad Little announced that he is authorizing Stage 2 of his Rebound Idaho plan to commence beginning Saturday.

The new stage gives allowances for restaurants to open their dining areas to the public, hair and nail salons, close-contact businesses like tattoo shops and massage therapists to reopen.

Stage 2 also includes gyms and rec centers to open, and also allows public and private gatherings up to 10 people.

Locally, this is good news for many salon owners, who have been in a state of flux since the governor’s original stay-home order commenced in late March.

Suzi Quincy, owner of Q’s Haircuts in Wallace, was excited to hear news of Stage 2’s commencement, but was also concerned about the potential health risks associated with reopening.

“I am, of course, excited for my clients to get good looking again, my industry doesn’t just provide a service we provide an ear to talk to, but there is a feeling of anxiety, stress and apprehension,” Quincy said. “There are states and counties still closed. There is much unknown for the future and many steps I must take to ensure the safety of myself and my clients. Regardless of cases here. It’s a complicated feeling as a ‘socially face to face’ business owner.”

In Pinehurst, Blondies owner Carol McCarver sublets the other six stations in her salon and explained how the most difficult part for her was navigating the state’s plan to assist certain small businesses, but not necessarily others.

“The hardest part was not knowing what was coming next,” McCarver said. “It changed for me almost daily. I love what I do, so it was really hard not being able to work. Trying to get some help from the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) or Rebound Idaho was ridiculous. Being a sole proprietor made it extremely difficult. Not to mention it was hard having no income for six weeks. I feel bad for my girls and other small business owners trying to survive.”

Both Blondies and Q’s have been almost overwhelmed by the number of folks scheduling appointments in advance, which perfectly falls in line with the current rules.

“As soon as the reopen was announced my phone blew up,” Quincy said. “I have posted my guidelines on my door. Masks aren’t required but requested. I am usually a walk in establishment but am required by state law to be by appointment for now.”

McCarver has been taken aback by the outpouring of love that she has received from her clients and hopes that they stay patient with her and her crew as they navigate the new rules that they have to follow.

I just want to say how blessed I am. I have felt nothing but love from our clients without them there wouldn’t be Blondies Hair Salon,” McCarver said. “Please hang in there with us. We have to follow the one stylist, one client at a time rule so it’s going to take some time. We love our clients.”

As for those looking to finally break a sweat, SMC Wellness Center manager Jonnie Nosworthy is looking forward to opening up the doors to the gym in Smelterville.

“We are excited to welcome everybody back!” she said. “We have reduced the number of exercise machines available to comply with distancing standards and reduced class sizes to a maximum of five participants.”

Along with the general equipment, the Wellness Center will be going back to its normal class schedule starting May 18.

Members will not be required while using the facility, but Nosworthy asks that everyone follow the state’s recommendations for social distancing — such as keeping a distance of 6 feet from others who are at the facility.

Stage 2 protocols and considerations for institutions allowed to operate on Saturday include:

ALL BUSINESSES:

• Establish a protocol to maintain the 6-foot physical distancing requirements for employees and patrons.

• Identify how the business will provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene for employees, vendors and patrons.

• Identify how the business will provide services limiting close interactions with patrons such as, but not limited to: Online, digital or telephonic ordering, curbside pickup, delivery, establishing hours of operations for vulnerable populations, limiting numbers of patrons in the business at a time, directing the flow of traffic in the business, use of signage and barrier protection to limit movement and maintain distancing.

• Identify strategies for addressing ill employees, which should include requiring COVID-19 positive employees to stay at home while contagious and may include restricting employees who were directly exposed to the COVID-19 positive employee, as well as the closure of the facility until it can be properly disinfected.

• On a case-by-case basis, include other practices such as screening of employees for illness and exposures upon work entry, requiring non-cash transactions, etc.

• Make sure a procedure is in place for contacting your local public health district if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19.

• Post signs on the front door that state any patron, who has a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, should not enter the facility.

• Encourage use of cloth face covering or masks and gloves by staff and patrons, where possible and safe.

CLOSE CONTACT SERVICES:

(Includes barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, cosmetic services, waxing salons, body art and tattoo facilities, and massage therapy facilities.)

• Maintain physical distancing of 6 feet between employees and workstations.

• Use disposable materials and supplies when feasible; if reusable supplies are utilized, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfection.

• Provide services by appointment only; no walk-in customers.

• Ask clients about fever and symptoms before every client visits.

• Limit the number of clients inside the business.

• Make sure employees wear face coverings and gloves (excluding massage in which case staff should sanitize and wash hands appropriately before and after each client) which will be changed and disposed of after every client.

INDOOR GYMS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

• Make sure there is optimal ventilation for inside activities.

• Consider how some activities could be conducted outside.

• Substantially limit or prohibit spectators.

• Space exercise equipment at least 6 feet apart or limit the use of equipment that cannot be stationed 6 feet apart (e.g. using every other exercise machine or bowling lane).

• Thoroughly disinfect all equipment before and after each user.

• Limit sharing of equipment (except people in the same household).

• Consider implementing special hours of operation that are exclusive to the elderly and other vulnerable population groups.

• Discontinue any type of group activities, classes or features (e.g. saunas) for which it is not possible to maintain physical distancing guidelines.

RESTAURANTS:

• Limit occupancy to 50 percent of seating capacity or more, if necessary, to maintain 6 feet physical distancing.

• Limit tables to groups of six and space tables 10 feet apart.

• Attempt to eliminate the use of waiting areas and lobbies.

• Keep bar top seating and playground areas closed.

• Limit employee and patron contact by using a reservation or call ahead model and using contactless payment methods when possible.

• Dedicate certain staff members to disinfection of high contact surfaces throughout the establishment and disinfection of tables between parties.

• Refrain from using pre-set tableware.

• Clean and disinfect coolers, to-go containers and delivery vehicles often.

• Verify ware-washing machines are operating at the required wash and rinse temperatures and with the appropriate sanitizers each day.

• Require all employees in contact with patrons to wear cloth face coverings and gloves during their shift and change them after touching patron items.

• Recommend all employees in the dishwashing room to wear face shields in addition to face coverings and gloves.

• Offer online, digital or phone-in ordering.

• Offer takeout or delivery service.

• Establish hours of operation for patrons at high-risk of severe disease.

All the allowances granted in Stage 1 also apply, as long as the proper guidelines are followed. Bars, nightclubs and large venues (such as movie theaters) all remain closed. Visits to senior living facilities are also prohibited.

The remaining progression of the four-part Idaho Rebounds plan is as follows:

Stage 3, May 30 – June 12:

Vulnerable Idahoans can resume public interactions but should practice social distancing. Gatherings of 10-50 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed, can occur. Nonessential travel can resume to locations that allow it and do not have ongoing transmission. Employers should continue to encourage telework.

Bars will be allowed to open if they demonstrate the ability to meet business protocols.

Visits to senior living facilities and large venues like movie theaters or sporting venues remain prohibited.

Stage 4, June 13-26:

Vulnerable Idahoans can resume public interactions but should practice social distancing. Gatherings of more than 50 people, where appropriate physical distancing and precautionary measures are observed, can occur. Nonessential travel continues.

Employers can resume unrestricted staffing of worksites, but continue to practice physical distancing, personal protections and sanitations for protection of workers. Special accommodations should be made for employees who are considered vulnerable.

Visits to senior living facilities can resume. Nightclubs may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy. Large venues can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.

For more details on the Rebound Idaho stages, visit https://rebound.idaho.gov/stages-of-reopening/.