On Thursday, April 30, Governor Ned Lamont announced his plan to reopen select businesses and organizations in Connecticut, the state’s first step in moving away from quarantine regulations.
Scheduled for May 20, the step would include the reopening of restaurants, retail stores, offices, nail and hair salons, museums, zoos, outdoor recreation spaces, and university research programs. Although the reopening is contingent on meeting certain conditions, such as a decline in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and adequate access to protective equipment, the state predicts that the plan will proceed as scheduled.
In preparation for reopening day, local businesses in Wallingford have already started discussing logistics. Supercuts, a hair salon on Ives Road, has scheduled employee meetings to review sanitary guidelines and to teach staff how to prioritize hygiene in their operations.
“The most important part is to make sure everything is as clean as possible, to make sure things that could be a danger are removed,” explained Mr. Joe Goldberg, the salon’s owner. “Some of our guidelines are that we have to have social distancing and customers have to make appointments. We are usually a no-appointment salon. I think we will obviously have customers walking up to the salon, so we will have to set up signs asking them to stay outside until somebody comes to sign them up for a service. Of course, everyone is also going to be wearing masks.”
Supercuts has also decided to suspend certain services that require additional interpersonal contact, such as blow drying, to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
At Colony Diner, a popular restaurant in Wallingford, owner Mr. Eric Celik echoed the same sentiment about the importance of safety. Colony Diner has been able to stay partially open during the pandemic, but the restaurant is taking extra precautions in anticipation of a rise in the number of customers.
“I believe people will definitely be walking out of their houses more, [especially] since more stores opening means more reasons to get out,” said Mr. Celik. “But no matter what, we would always put employees’ and customers’ health as our number one priority,” he added.
To ensure proper sanitation, all who enter the restaurant will be required to wear masks, employees will sanitize tables after each use, and hand sanitizer will be provided to customers.
Due to the pandemic, many local businesses are finding it difficult to access the materials needed to provide their services.
“We’re hoping and praying that we have sufficient quantities of these things in order to have ongoing support for our customers,” said Mr. Goldberg. “I personally have gone out to get what I can to have stock, but this is something that’s going to be an ongoing problem for a long time.”
As much as local businesses are excited to begin to reopen their doors, many owners remain anxious about the months ahead. “I wouldn’t be telling you the truth if I didn’t say that I’m scared,” Mr. Goldberg said. “Not only my staff but employees in general. Maybe all of the precautions we take might not be enough.”
Still, Mr. Goldberg remains optimistic that the return of businesses will benefit the community. “We’re going to do the very best we can, and hopefully there’ll be some nice days ahead for all of us.”
