There’s a map circulating on the Internet today showing the status of every state in the union when it comes to barbershops, salons and spas. It strikingly shows that Michigan is the only state in the union without some form of plan for reopening that industry, and there are some exceedingly frustrated professionals who are upset that once again Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has left them sidelined with no clear plan or date for return.
Every state in America has returned that industry to some degree of open status except for New Jersey and Michigan, but at least New Jersey has a date coming up this month for their return. Michigan has no clear plan that has been publicly revealed, and the industry is increasingly outraged.
The coalition formed last week to lobby the governor to let them return to business by providing an 8-pillar safety plan has responded to today’s lifting of the state’s stay home order but continued restrictions keeping their industry closed with expected deep frustration.
Following Gov. Whitmer’s further opening of the economy while keeping salons and barber shops closed, the Safe Salons for Michigan coalition issued the following statement:
“We are extremely frustrated by Governor Whitmer’s decision to open most of Michigan’s economy while keeping salons and barber shops closed. Last week, the Safe Salons for Michigan coalition presented Governor Whitmer with our 8-pillar plan for reopening safely. Despite our comprehensive plan, including state-of-the-art sanitary and procedural measures to keep our employees and clients safe, the Governor is keeping us closed. Not only is this gutting the salon industry, but we are also losing business to neighboring states every day. We firmly believe we are safer open than closed. We urge Governor Whitmer to review our plan and allow licensed salons and barber shops to open immediately.” The message was signed by Mike Sarafa, of the Alline Group and Kevin Lent of BAMF X2, on behalf of Safe Salons for Michigan.
