The professional community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are passionately divided about reopening—and then there are those that have no choice.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp lifted the statewide shelter-in-place order, making Georgia salons the pioneers of what the new normal will be for at least the immediate future. Business owners are conflicted about opening, but Van Council decided to reopen his six Van Michael hair salons in Atlanta last Friday. The industry is watching and hoping to learn from this 30-year veteran’s reopening experience.

“I probably have had 200 salon owners send me texts or messages through Instagram or Facebook over the last few days, asking ‘Where do we get shields, where did we get hand sanitizer?,'” Council told Vogue. “I was very nervous and scared to open—all the eyes are on us. But it’s nice to be able to try and set the standard for the industry here in the U.S. because I care about it so much. It’s our job to step up and make this work so that everybody can reopen safely.”

The Georgia State Board of Cosmetologists and Barbers and OSHA issued guidelines for safe working conditions for reopening workplaces, and Van Michael Salon shared the new normal with clients on their website:

• Clients: Only returning clients are being seen.
• Social Distancing: Shifts will split reducing the number of people in the building by a minimum of 50%. Service Providers will be working in every other station or at least six feet apart.
• Check-In: Clients are asked not to arrive early for appointments and will wait outside to have their temperature taken.
• Masks: Staff will be wearing masks and plastic shields and clients will be required to wear masks.
• No Blow Drying: Temporarily no blow drying to prevent forceful airflow of any germs.
• Limited Shampooing: Clients are asked to come in with clean hair (shampooed within 3 hours of the appointment time). Hair will be sprayed with water or cut dry. Shampoos will only be to remove the color from hair.
• Touchless Greetings and Goodbyes: No shaking hands or hugging at this time.
• Limited Changing Room: Color clients will be handed a clean smock upon entering the salon and will be handed a plastic bag to contain their top. Cut clients will receive a fresh cape for their service with a Sanek strip. Clients are asked to come to the salon in freshly cleaned clothing.
• No Beverages: Will be offered at this time.
• Limited Items and Guests: Clients are asked to limit belongings to a phone and form of payment, no extra guests or children, and no pets will be allowed in the salon at this time.
• Hygiene and Sanitation: Incorporation of extensive new and improved sanitation practices and all service providers are required to complete a Georgia State Board Barbicide course.
• Scheduling: Staff is being scheduled two days on and two days off.

Council told Vogue they averaged 250 guests across the salons the first two days, with the most popular services being cuts and color touch-ups.