More businesses in Santa Barbara County are being forced to close their doors again following an order from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In response to rising coronavirus cases across the state, the governor ordered every county to close bars and indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums, and cardrooms.
Additionally, counties on the state's monitoring list, which includes Santa Barbara County, must also shut down the following operations unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up:
- Fitness centers
- Worship services
- Protests
- Offices for non-essential sectors
- Personal care services, like nail salons, body waxing, and tattoo parlors
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Malls
"I don't think it's necessary because we take the right precautions," said Kim Bui of Mod Nails in Santa Maria. "We sanitize every single table in between every client. I hired a receptionist to help me with sanitization and she is upset, too, because she just got back to work and it's only been two weeks now she has to quit again."
Bui adds that she's worried about the future of her business and says many of the workers who left the salon when it was closed in March have not returned.
Santa Barbara County's Health Officer is expected to release an updated health order on Tuesday that will provide more details and guidance for businesses.