Online petitions asking to reopen hair salons, barber shops by late April

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. -- Workers in the haircutting and cosmetology fields are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to reopen businesses through online petitioning.

They are also receiving support from other people that are hoping to see these businesses open their doors.

Several petitions are currently listed on MoveOn, the largest independent progressive advocacy group in the country.

One petition has collected over 32,000 signatures by Friday evening.

It's asking to reopen salons and barber shops by April 27.

Renee Westerhuis, longtime owner of The Green Room in the Village of Arroyo Grande, signed the petition and shared it with her friends through social media.

She supports the reopening of salons and shops as soon as possible.

"It has been absolutely financially devastating," said Westerhuis. "On March 19th at 5 p.m., I was forced to close my doors and I really need to get back open. People need their income. We cannot stay closed any longer.

The petition's author states shops should be allowed to reopen and can do so safely if precautions are followed.

Westerhuis said she absolutely agreed.

"You can have one person in your chair at a time," said Westerhuis. "People that are waiting, can wait at a distance. The stylists, for a period of time  could wear a mask, gloves could be used."

She added that salons were already observing strict safety protocols long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We always sanitize a lot because that is required at all times by the State Board of Cosmetology," said Westerhuis. "We always have to have alcohol, hand sanitizer, spray disinfectant on hand at all times. We have to sterilize our instruments and combs between clients anyway, so that's already of our business."

The petition Westerhuis supports added that serving one client at a time is much safer than allowing many more customers inside a grocery store.

It also stressed the survival of these mostly small privately owned businesses are at stake, and the indefinite closure is threatening the stability of families and their ability to pay bills.

"After a month, people are kind at the end of what they can deal with," said Westerhuis. "We're ready to get going. We are ready, willing and able to do that in a safe way. Now."

Hair salons and other beauty-related shops statewide have been closed for weeks since Gov. Newsom issued stay-at-home orders last month.

The businesses were shut down since they were not determined to be essential.