VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The last time Crystal Casey was in her salon giving a client a cut was about a month ago.
“I’ve already been out of work since March 17,” says Casey. She owns Cryistal Chaos.
And it’s been a little longer for others.
“I believe it was March 11,” said Tonie Williams.
Tonie Williams owns Salon Mariposa. Her unemployment application got denied.
“I need to play bills,” she adds.
Which is why she signed this online petition asking Gov. Ralph Northam to allow stylists to get back to work next week instead of May 8.The petition has more than 15,000 signatures.
“The reason why I signed it is because I want the governor to let us open up slowly. I don't believe we should all go to work and have a field day with it,” Williams adds.
Some of her colleagues in the beauty industry disagree.
“I’d hate to go to work and get sick and then have to be out of work for however many months again after this,” said Casey.
Williams owns a suite-style salon in Virginia Beach, so there is not much room for a lot of people to begin with. This is why she believes the governor should consider allowing hair dressers and barbers to start working on an appointment-only schedule.
Related: Norfolk salon owner: 'It is impossible to provide our services at a 6-foot distance'
But Casey says it’s not a good idea.
“The second you turn on a blow dryer and you start blow drying germs everywhere, they will get into places you never thought to clean.”
In a statement to News 3, Northam’s office says, “The Governor understands these concerns and deeply appreciates this input. While we are all eager to ease restrictions, we must do so in a safe and responsible way.”
The petition suggests stylists can serve one client at a time with a mask and gloves on, but Casey says that’s another problem.
“The thing that I am most concerned with about that is where we are all going to get out personal protective gear from?" she wondered.
“I want to get back to work. I need to get busy,” Williams adds.
