Limited outdoor personal services allowed to open in Alameda

Published on August 28, 2020

County health orders now allow pools and lower-risk personal services, including hair and nail salons, barbershops, waxing services, skin care, and non-medical massages to reopen outdoors. Indoor personal services are not allowed to open in Alameda County. 

Today, the State released the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which replaces the monitoring list that was being used to identify when businesses are allowed to reopen. The new plan places counties into four different risk level categories. Alameda County is in the widespread risk level (purple). Lower risk levels include substantial (red), moderate (orange), and minimal (yellow).

The State’s website includes guidelines for what types of activities are able to reopen at each risk level. However, it is important to remember that when two orders conflict, the stricter order applies. The current health order that applies in Alameda County was updated on August 21 to allow the limited outdoor personal services described above to reopen today, August 28.

For outdoor personal services that are currently permitted by the State, conditions for outdoor commercial usage have been developed by the City and must be followed. For hair salons, this requires all hair trimmings, dust, trash, and other debris to be contained within the confines of the operation, which may require a mesh tent and frequent cleaning. Solid wall tents, curtains, and walls are not allowed. 

As of today, the City of Alameda has 317 cases of COVID-19, and there are 17,847 cases in the County. Face coverings are required when you leave your home, and combined with physically distancing, washing hands frequently, and not gathering in groups will slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow more businesses and services to reopen. Please, wear a mask and be Alameda Strong!