STATEWIDE — Your hair may be getting long, roots are growing out, and your nails need to be done, but the wait is finally over. Florida’s Hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons were allowed to reopen on Monday.

Florida mandate says:

• All customers will be by appointment only.
• Allow at least 15 minutes between the conclusion of an appointment and the beginning of the next appointment for proper disinfecting practices.
• No group appointments are permitted.
• Masks must be worn by all employees while performing personal services.

Barbershops, cosmetology salons, and cosmetology specialty salons are encouraged to adhere to the following guidance:

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect prior to reopening. Make sure to disinfect all surfaces, tools and linens, even if they were cleaned before you originally closed. This type of cleaning should continue between each day of operation.
• Consider providing unworn masks to clients for use during their appointment.
• Remove all unnecessary, frequently touched items like magazines, newspapers, service menus and any other unnecessary paper products and décor from customer service areas.

“I am so excited to open up my store,” says Monique Austin, owner of True Beauty salon in Brandon. “This is my life…this is my baby."

“We just want guests to be safe,” Austin said. “Please be very patient with us, that’s all we can ask for."

The owner of Level Salon in Hyde Park Village said her staff spent the last six weeks preparing to reopen. They even created their own Sanitation Task Force in the salon. She said clients should feel confident coming in to get their hair done.

“I want everyone to know that in our salons we are doing everything we can, and then some, to make sure we provide a safe environment for our staff, and a safe environment for the guests who come through the doors,” said Rebekah Norrell, owner of Level Salon and Salon Norrell Aveda.

At Level Salon, clients are required to wear masks. That is not a state regulation, but a policy many salons are implementing on their own.

Clients may also be asked to wait in their cars, or outside until their stylist is ready to see them. Clients should check with their salon for specific requirements.