Local hairstylists push for hair salons to remain closed

As the state of Georgia re-opens salons, gyms, and other non-essential businesses on Friday. Some local hairstylists are pushing for salons to remain closed.

"So wait with us and we will be waiting for you," said Read Brown.

This is a message from Read Brown, a Palm Springs salon owner, who united with hairstylists from across the country.

They use the slogan #waitwithus to encourage their clients to be patient during the coronavirus pandemic.

"As a country to just sit still and to look into our inner beauty," said Brown.

Brown agrees salons are "non-essential" even if  customers have said otherwise.

"I am taking a hit for it as business and financially but I want my clients and their families and mine to be healthy and be alive," said Brown.

Brien O'Brien, another local hair stylist is taking part in the movement.

"We can't do our job yet in a way that's safe," said O'brien. "When people advocate for trying to do that I feel like you're not only putting yourself and guests at risk you're putting your community at risk.

The video comes at a time when the state of Georgia reopens salons, gyms and other non-essential businesses on Friday but along with reopening the Georgia Board of Cosmetology issued safety guidelines that include salon employees must wear the use of personal protective equipment. The complete list of guidelines are available here.

Geri Gottlieb, a client of Read Brown said its been hard for her to wait to touch up her hair.

"I want my hair done, I want to go back," said Gottlieb. "But there's not a way for us and them to be properly social distance and for us to go back yet."

For full #waitwithus video. Click Here.