Barbershops, salons reopen

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By Andrew Larson, Republican-American

Alexis Campos, owner of AKE Hair and Makeup on Church Street in Naugatuck, blow dries a client’s hair in her salon on Monday. Salons and barber shops throughout the state were able to reopen on Monday as part of the state’s reopening plan from the COVID-19 pandemic. -JIM SHANNON/REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

Monday marked the first day barbershops and salons could reopen since Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order prohibiting them on March 20.

Stylist and owner of Naugatuck’s AKC Hair & Makeup Alexis Campos was relieved to reopen after being out of work for 12 weeks.

“We are super excited to be back to work and starting to get income again,” she said.

Campos said she had to sell her home and move herself and her 9-month-old in with family.

“I tried everything to keep my salon open because without it, I wouldn’t have income to come back to,” Campos said.

She said she received a $5,000 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program to cover two months’ rent at the salon. Even so, she estimates it will take three to six months to recover her business losses.

“It was scary,” Campos said. “I’m so glad to be back to work and making a living and hopefully I can catch up soon to start living my life again.”

AKC Hair & Makeup is booked solid from now until mid-July, Campos said.

Under Lamont’s requirements, barbershops and salons can serve customers by appointment only, waiting areas must be closed, customers and workers must wear face masks, chairs must be at least 6 feet apart, and scissors and other tools must be disinfected between customers.