The California county Public Health Departments are influential in deciding what phase businesses are classified as during this pandemic. Each county in California has a different Public Health Department. Follow this link *link* to connect to a page listing each county’s Public Health Director’s contact information. 

Collectively we are asking that hair salons and barbershops be reclassified as Phase 2 (lower-risk workplaces) and allowed to reopen immediately. We are asking for a fair assessment of our industry and to look to data showing hair salons are a lower-risk workplace. This letter template is simply a jumping off point to use as a reference and includes important data supporting our request. We encourage you to take what you need and include your own voice. Please remember we are most impactful when we remain respectful and helpful to the overall cause. 

Letter to Public Health Department from hair professional:

Dear *YOUR COUNTY* Director of Public Health *DIRECTORS NAME*

I am a *HAIRDRESSER/SALON OWNER/BARBER* writing to express my commitment to the safety of my clients and for a fair assessment of the hair salon/barbershop industry relating to the spread of COVID-19. The lack of data supporting forced closures of hair salons and barbershops is concerning. I am asking that as a lower-risk workplace we be allowed to reopen immediately and be reclassified as Phase 2. The data supporting this request is as follows:

*The CDC report touting the effectiveness of masks and using a hair salon as a primary, positive example – two stylists in Missouri had COVID-19, wore masks, and 139 clients did not become infected. (link study if possible). This study was released on the same day California closed hair salons.

*After this CDC study was released, Washington state followed California in closing indoor dining and bars, but marked hair salons exempt. Hair salons remain open in Washington state. 

*Hot spots, such as Florida, Texas and Arizona, that were seeing an increase in cases at the same time as California have since decreased in COVID-19 cases despite hair salons remaining open in these states.

*In an independent data collection our industry in California (40,000 clients served) has seen only .003% cases versus 1% for the entire state.

*Louisiana Department of Health posted their contact tracing data for outbreak settings. Salons aren’t even listed and salons are open in Louisiana.

*California is the only state in the entire country where salons are closed.

Back in March many hair salons chose to stop operating before being forced to close by the state. This was due to the lack of information surrounding the spread of COVID-19, and our priority in keeping our clients safe inside our business. We were compliant in the closure and took great care following all CDC and CA State Board guidelines to reopen. 

I personally have also gone above and beyond the mandated requirements to keep my community safe by *INCLUDE EXTRA PROTOCOL TO KEEP CLIENTS SAFE (such as: upgraded air filtration, use of HEPA air filters, spacing stations more than 6’ apart, limiting number of people in space, keeping doors open while working, not blow drying, decreasing appointment times, adding touchless point of sale, curbside product pick up, virtual consultations, etc.)*

We are far enough along in this crisis, and have enough data showing that hair salons are a lower-risk business and able to provide services inside our regulated establishments without spreading COVID-19. As business closures become the solution to controlling the numbers, California hair salons have taken an entirely unnecessary hit. Forcing us to remain closed is not decreasing the spread. Hair salons and barbershops need to be reclassified as Phase 2 and allowed to reopen immediately. 

Thank you for your support and consideration,

*YOUR NAME AND TITLE*

Letter to CA governing officials from hair professional: 

Dear *ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME/SENATOR NAME/GOVERNOR NEWSOM*

I am a *HAIRDRESSER/SALON OWNER/BARBER* writing to express my commitment to the safety of my clients and my belief that it is imperative hair salons be allowed to open and be considered an Essential Business. 

As business closures become the solution to controlling the spread of COVID, hair salons are taking an enormous, and unnecessary hit. Shutdown or not, people continue to seek our services and we continue to provide services. By pushing us out of our business and into backyards, not only are we more at risk of contracting or spreading COVID, we’re also becoming a strain on the government instead of an asset. 

As an Inevitable Business, hair salons and barbershops need to be included as an Essential Business and allowed to remain open during closures.  

We’ve seen proof that we are able to operate safely without contributing to the spread of COVID-19. As posted on the CDC website, two stylists in Missouri had COVID-19, wore masks, and 139 clients did not become infected. 

*INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOUR BUSINESS IS CONTRIBUTING TO PUBLIC SAFETY HERE*

The impact of closing a business that can safely remain open is massive. *INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE CLOSURE HAS AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS HERE*

I am asking that as a business that is not contributing to the spread of COVID we be allowed to remain open as an Essential Business.

Thank you for your support and consideration,

*YOUR NAME*

Letter to CA governing officials from clients: 

Dear *ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME/SENATOR NAME/GOVERNOR NEWSOM*

As a client of *SALON NAME* in *CITY* I want to share my experience of how this salon is promoting positive public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

*BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR PRE-APPOINTMENT COMMUNICATION FROM SALON*

Example: Prior to my appointment I was sent text and email communication alerting me to new salon safety procedures I would need to follow. I was asked to reschedule if experiencing any symptoms of illness or if I had been in contact with anyone experiencing symptoms of illness. 

*BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR SERVICE EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATIONS OF SAFETY PROTOCOLS BEING FOLLOWED INSIDE SALON*

Example: Upon arrival my stylist greeted me at the door with hand sanitizer. I already was wearing a mask and immediately noticed everyone in the salon had a mask on. The salon was spacious as stations were spaced away from each other. It did not feel overcrowded. No one was inside the salon other than those receiving appointments. After having my hair shampooed I noticed my stylist cleaning the shampoo bowl/chair and spraying disinfecting solution. I was able to wear a mask during the shampoo and throughout my service without a problem. Another observation I had while sitting in the chair is that my stylist is mostly behind me, not face to face with me, during my appointment. I never realized this before. I was offered the option of touchless checkout but I decided to swipe my card instead. They immediately sanitized the tablet after my use and brought me the products I purchased. 

*EXPLAIN WHY YOU BELIEVE YOUR HAIR SALON IS PRIORITIZING YOUR SAFETY*

Example: My experience showed me how much care and concern my stylist and the entire salon team are putting into my safety. I saw first hand how clean and organized the space was and felt that my safety was top priority. 

In my opinion hair salons should be allowed to remain open as an Essential Business. If I wasn’t able to have my hair appointment at the salon I would have asked my stylist if they would mind coming to my house. I don’t know if they would have agreed to that or not but I would have asked. I am still going to work and it is not an option for me to not have my hair presentable. 

Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.

*YOUR NAME*