The City of Long Beach, according to an email from Mayor Robert Garcia, issued, on Friday, May 30, a new health order allowing hair salons, barbers and restaurants for in-person dining to reopen provided they follow guidelines to protect employees and patrons to control the spread of COVID-19.
The new order for hair salons and barbers to reopen requires: Physical distanceing; Everyone, including clients, must wear cloth face coverings while in the salon or barber shop and clients are encouraged to wear face coverings with ear loops to ensure the face covering does not interfere with the hair service; Magazines, coffee, and other amenities will not be available; Clients are encouraged to use credit cards and contact-less payment systems and if electronic or card payment isn’t possible, customers should come with exact cash payment or check, if available; Stylists may only serve one client at a time; Gathering in waiting areas is prohibited.
The new order doesn’t apply to nail salons or spa services, like massages, facials and waxing. They’re all still prohibited.
The new order allows restaurants to open at a reduced capacity for in-person dining with these restrictions: Physical distancing must occur; Outdoor seating and curbside pickup are prioritized; Reservations will be encouraged; Customers will be asked to wait for their table in their cars or outside the restaurant to prevent crowds gathering; Diners must wear cloth face coverings when not eating; Servers must wear a face covering and a face shield; Bars will be closed; Indoor and outdoor in-person dining capacity will be limited to 60 percent.
The Mayor explained Long Beach was able to move further toward reopening because; The City “has met all the requirements” and “has broad community testing in place;” It has a “positivity (sic) testing rate of 6.3 percent, which is below the State’s requirement of 8 percent; It “has over 90 contact tracers in place to identify and follow up on confirmed positive cases;” It “has plans in place to address vulnerable populations such as long term (sic) health care facilities” and shelter for the homelessness; Its “hospitals have a surge capacity of over 400, plus 100 more ready to bring on line at the field hospital at Long Beach Arena,” another key indicator the State requires.
Testing for anyone regardless of symptoms
Meanwhile, the day before, also by email, the Mayor announced anyone wishing to be tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms, may do so at the Cabrillo High School testing site at 2001 Santa Fe Ave., beginning Saturday, May 30.
The testing site is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., every day. Appointments are required and may be made online at http://www.longbeach.gov/health/diseases-and-condition/information-on/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/ or by calling 562-570-4636.
Barry Saks 
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