The Professional Beauty Association Collaborates with California’s Office of the Governor to Create Salon Reopening Protocol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scottsdale, AZ (May 27, 2020) -- In California, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), the largest and most inclusive national trade organization representing the professional beauty industry, has worked closely with the Office of the Governor to push through the reopening of salons into the state’s phase 3 programming, with the following new guidelines, which the PBA consulted on creating: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-hair-salons.pdf. Currently, 47 counties are cleared to reopen accordingly today.

The PBA started a 50-state initiative in March to be the first to provide data on the state of the beauty industry economy prior to COVID to show the relevant impact for each state. Early on, as the industry’s leading resource, the PBA released its back to work guidelines for what safe reopening could look like, which resulted in being invited to participate in processes in many different states; the organization is so appreciative to be included in California’s programming accordingly.

Currently, nail salons and anything requiring taking off face masks -- esthetician services, for example, cannot yet reopen. The PBA, however, has been invited by the state to collaborate on these reopening guidelines. It's an ongoing process, as the PBA is working closely with the state as a resource on behalf of the entire professional beauty industry.

With the $58B+ US salon industry paralyzed for months, “back to work” is going to look and feel, both logistically and emotionally, different for everyone. Small business beauty salons, sixty percent owned by women, are still closed in 19 states; however, the PBA has been working with the federal government to help get a temporary retroactive 45B FICA tax tip credit to provide immediate liquidity for salons throughout the country. This credit already exists in the IRS code, and the salon extension would provide immediate relief for many.

To further help this deeply affected industry, the PBA has established its COVID-19 Relief Fund, which has raised almost $1.5M to date with support from top industry brands like L’Oreal Professional brands, Moroccanoil, Henkel Professional Beauty Division, Dyson, and more; additional information available at http://Probeauty.org/relief. 100% of the donations directly support licensed beauty professionals experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Th PBA will continue its fundraising efforts to support the COVID-19 Relief Fund, as the more it raises, the more beauty professionals it can help provide for.