COVID-19: Manicurist struggles with outdoor services while hair salons reopen indoors during pandemic
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Tiffany Alarcon knows a lot about nails.
She's worked at D'Infinity Salon in Santa Maria more than 5 years.
Right now she's forced to serve her clients outside because even though hair salons are able to open again, manicurists are not.
"I was a little upset- at first I thought I was included and then when I looked on the COVID page I found out that “nail salons” were not allowed open," said Alarcon. "We are one industry- we are not separated- they have labeled as manicurists as a "nail salon" but I don’t work for a nail salon, I work for a full service salon that offers waxing, hair and nail services."
For now she continues to offer services outside to customers like Alejandra Chavez. "I mean obviously it’s a luxury that you want- but you know, I want to also support locally owned businesses," said Chavez.
Alarcon says for the time being she plans to continue serving her clients outdoors following the state guidelines.
"It’s noisy, it’s not sanitary, the UV rays do not help my gels at all, it was curing as I was polishing so every day is an adjustment." said Alarcon.
Since the pandemic started, Alarcon says she lost about 30 percent of her customers but continues to push forward hoping for the best. "I hope the governor and the public health will allow the rest of the industry to go inside where it’s safe and sanitary- it’s a controlled environment in here and it’s uncontrolled outside."
