A State-by-State Guide to When Hair Salons Will Reopen Amid Coronavirus

UPDATE: Earlier this month, reopening plans for “close contact” businesses were underway in all 50 states, with hair salons across the country slowly starting to reopen their doors. Now, with the spike of coronavirus cases in states like Florida, Texas, Alabama, and California, officials have been forced to reevaluate those reopening strategies.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled back plans to reopen hair salons in several counties in California. While many other states’ officials are considering following suit, as of now, California remains the only state to do so.

This story was originally published on May 15.

By mid-April, many of us were left wondering if and when life would resume as normal. Nationwide, 42 states issued coronavirus-related stay-at-home orders, with severe restrictions barring nonessential business operations and social gatherings in all 50. Countless industries were profoundly impacted by the mandated limitations, but for beauty and personal care services, like hair salons, the closures were especially restrictive. With no access to stylists, many have decided to test their DIY skills, cutting and colouring their own hair at home.

Fast forward several weeks, and things are starting to shift. As the number of new cases trends downward, some states have let their orders expire, exploring and implementing individual reopening plans that have in some cases prioritized hair salons. Others have extended their closures, cautiously keeping people home and away from their hairstylists through – as of now – early or late May.

No matter when salons open in your area, there’s no telling what appointments will look like in a post-coronavirus world or when it will truly be safe to get back in the chair. But if you’re wondering where your state currently stands, we’ve broken down the current status of hair salon openings in all 50 of them.

Alabama

The stay-at-home order in this Southeastern state expired April 30. In its place, a “safer-at-home” plan began. Hair salons started reopening on May 15.

Alaska

As of April 24, Alaska became one of the first states in the nation to ease its restrictions on select nonessential businesses. This included hair salons – however, strict social-distancing requirements are in place.

Arizona

Implemented March 31, Arizona’s stay-at-home order expired May 15. Hair salons are now allowed to reopen with safety measures in place.

Arkansas

Arkansas never saw a statewide stay-at-home order, but several restrictions are in place. Cosmetology-related businesses, including nail salons, began reopening on May 6.

California

California’s stay-home order has been in effect since March 19. Official dates for reopening any nonessential businesses have yet to be announced.

Colorado

One of a handful of partially reopened states, Colorado’s stay-home order expired April 26. The state adopted a “safer-at-home” approach, allowing businesses to open in phases. Hair salons began reopening with precautions on May 1.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s stay-at-home order was put in place March 23 and is set to expire May 20. As of this writing, no updates have been announced, and hair salons remain closed.

Delaware

A shelter-in-place order has shut down Delaware’s nonessential businesses since March 24 and was recently extended to May 31. Hair salons remain closed until at least this date.

Florida

The stay-at-home order in Florida expired April 30. During phase one of its reopening plan, hair salons can operate at 25 percent capacity.

Georgia

Although Georgia’s statewide shelter-in-place order expired April 30, hair salons were allowed to reopen and resume business on April 24.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, a stay-at-home order has been in effect since March 25. On April 25, it announced an extended order through May 31.

Idaho

Idaho’s stay-at-home order expired on April 30, with a four-stage reopening plan in place. Hair salons may be allowed to reopen in late May, during phase two.

Illinois

The stay-at-home order in Illinois was put into effect on March 21 and was recently extended through May 31. Hair salons are currently closed.

Indiana

Beginning on March 24, the most recent update to Indiana’s stay-at-home order expired May 1. Hair salons and barber shops are set to open May 11 (or May 18 in Indianapolis), with restrictions.

Iowa

Like Arkansas, Iowa never saw a statewide stay-at-home order. Partial reopenings have been announced in 77 of the state’s 99 counties, and hair salons started to reopen with limitations on May 15.

Kansas

The stay-at-home order in Kansas expired on May 3. Hair salons will be allowed to open by appointment only starting May 18.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, a “healthy at home” order has kept people safe and indoors since March 26. This order is currently indefinite, but an outlined plan might see hair salons reopen in late May.

Louisiana

Louisiana’s stay-at-home order expired on May 15. Going forward, hair salons will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity.

Maine

After Maine’s official stay-at-home order expired April 30, the state instituted a four-stage reopening plan. Hair salons were allowed to resume limited business May 1 (stage one), though safety precautions are being enforced.

Maryland

In effect since March 30, Maryland’s stay-at-home order expired May 15. Nonessential businesses, including hair salons, are allowed to reopen with social-distancing requirements.

Massachusetts

On April 27, the stay-at-home order and nonessential-business restrictions in Massachusetts were extended to May 18. There is currently no date set for reopening.

Michigan

Michigan’s stay-at-home order, in effect since March 24, has been extended to May 28. There are currently no plans for hair salons to reopen.

Minnesota

Minnesota’s stay-at-home order is set to expire May 17, though select industries were allowed to welcome employees back on April 27. Bars, restaurants, and hair salons will remain closed until June.

Mississippi

The shelter-in-place order in Mississippi expired April 27. But while that meant some restrictions were lifted, hair salons are currently still closed.

Missouri

Missouri’s stay-at-home order began April 6, and a gradual reopening plan began May 4. Hair salons were among the businesses allowed to resume business on this day.

Montana

The stay-at-home order in Montana expired April 26. Like other states, it’ll reopen in phases, but many hair salons were able to reopen April 27.

Nebraska

A statewide stay-at-home order was never put in place in Nebraska, but like many states in a similar situation, nonessential businesses were restricted. On May 4, all hair salons were allowed to reopen.

Nevada

Nevada’s stay-at-home order expired on May 9. Hair salons were able to reopen with guidelines in place.

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, a stay-at-home order is currently in place until May 31, with a “state of emergency” declaration through at least May 15. Still, hair salons were allowed to begin reopening on May 11.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s stay-at-home order has been in effect since March 21 and is set to expire June 5. Hair salons are currently closed.

New Mexico

New Mexico will extend its stay-at-home order through May 31 (originally set for May 1). It’s currently unclear when salons will be allowed to reopen in the state.

New York

In New York, the stay-at-home order (also known as “NY PAUSE”) expired May 15. However, in many parts of the state, where numbers are still relatively high, this will not include hair salons or other personal-care businesses.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s stay-at-home order was recently extended through May 22. Nonessential and “close contact” businesses will remain closed for now, including hair salons.

North Dakota

Although North Dakota didn’t have a statewide stay-at-home order, restrictions on certain industries were lifted across the board May 1. Hair salons are included in this reopening plan, though social-distancing and sanitary measures are clearly outlined.

Ohio

Ohio’s stay-at-home order will expire May 29, but businesses will reopen in phases. While retail stores may open as soon as May 12, no date has been set for hair salons.

Oklahoma

A formal stay-at-home order was never issued in Oklahoma, but hair salons were allowed to reopen statewide on April 24.

Oregon

Oregon’s stay-at-home order lifted on May 15. Hair salons are part of phase one of reopenings, but strict restrictions will be in place.

Pennsylvania

Similar to its original county-by-county restrictions (before a statewide stay-at-home order), Pennsylvania will reopen gradually. Some counties began reopening May 8, which would include hair salons.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, a statewide stay-at-home order expired on May 8, with a plan to reopen in phases. State Governor Gina Raimondo said hair-salon reopenings could be part of phase two, opening in late May.

South Carolina

South Carolina was one of the last states with a formal stay-at-home order. It was also one of the first to begin reopening select businesses and retail stores. Hair salons can begin reopening on May 18.

South Dakota

No stay-at-home order was issued in South Dakota, but hair salons are among businesses still closed for safety.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, the stay-at-home order expired April 30. Restaurants and retail stores have now begun reopening on a limited basis, and hair salons followed on May 6.

Texas

The stay-at-home order in Texas expired April 30. Hair salons began reopening with restrictions May 8.

Utah

Utah did not have a statewide stay-at-home order, but hair salons were shuttered. However, starting May 1, they were allowed to reopen following extreme restrictions and hygiene procedures.

Vermont

Vermont extended the state’s emergency order to June 15, but the stay-at-home order expired on May 15. Currently, there are no specific plans for reopening hair salons.

Virginia

Effective since March 30, Virginia’s stay-at-home order expired on May 15. Going forward, hair salons can open by appointment only and must abide by strict social-distancing measures.

Washington

In Washington, a stay-at-home order has been effective since March 23. Hair salons will be allowed to reopen at 50-percent capacity during phase two of reopening, but the exact date remains uncertain.

West Virginia

West Virginia, under a stay-at-home order since March 24, began reopening in phases starting April 30. Under this plan, hair salons will be allowed to reopen in phase two, although it’s currently uncertain when that date will fall.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order was recently extended to May 26. Hair salons remain closed for now.

Wyoming

Wyoming is another state without a formal, statewide stay-at-home order. That said, all hair salons were allowed to reopen starting May 1, following specific conditions.

POPSUGAR aims to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about the coronavirus, but details and recommendations about this pandemic may have changed since publication. For the latest information on COVID-19, please check out resources from the WHO, CDC, and local public health departments.