Reopening Setback: San Francisco Delays June 29 Openings Of Salons, Museums Over Rising COVID-19 Cases
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Mayor London Breed announced the reopening of certain businesses set for Monday, June 29th will be delayed amid concerns about the rising numbers of coronavirus infections.
Hair salons, barbers, museums, zoos and tattoo parlors were among the businesses slated to reopen early next week.
"COVID-19 cases are rising throughout CA. We're now seeing a rise in cases in SF too. Our numbers are still low but rising rapidly," the mayor said in a series of tweets about the delayed reopening posted Friday.
Breed said the city say 103 new cases on Thursday, compared to 20 new cases when the city reopened outdoor dining and in-store retail on June 15th.
"At our current rate, the number could double rapidly. If that continues and we don't intervene, we'll be at such a high number that our only option would be to shut down," the mayor warned.
Breed urged San Franciscans to continue wearing face coverings out in public, to maintain social distancing and to practice good hygiene.
"I know people are anxious to reopen -- I am too. But we can't jeopardize the progress we've made," Breed concluded.
Hair salons were initially set to re-open in Mid-July, but the state of California approved a variance Thursday afternoon for a Monday re-open. That is now on pause again.
"It is frustrating. But I think we also need a little bit more time to prepare. I think...it seemed like it was a lot of scrambling for the last couple of days," James Colgan, owner of James Colgan Salons told KPIX 5.
Colgan has had to break his lease on his Union Square flagship after the $11,000 a month rent and no revenue took its toll. But he said he gets the need to pause.
"I understand if there's a spike, we need to be very careful with our health and our clients and anyone who enters our premises. So, frustrating but obviously necessary," said Colgan.
Owners across the city had been working on new sanitation and distancing procedures in preparation of re-opening whenever that might be. "I have also implemented touchless faucets as well touches sanitizers and soap dispensers," said the proprietor of Arthur Sebastian Studio in Cow Hollow.
Sebastian is taking a financial hit as well.
"I am struggling, but I am definitely trying to do my best to pull my money from the savings in order for me to survive this time. It's not very easy for small businesses," Sebastian said.
San Francisco bar owners, who have been struggling financially with their doors shuttered by COVID-19 restrictions, were just given the green light on Thursday to reopen service on patio areas and outside tables on June 29th. That reopening has also been delayed.
More information on San Francisco's reopening plan is available at the San Francisco DPH website.
Andria Borba contributed to this story
