The beauty industry’s leading association’s government affairs program helps establish new protocol for salon reopenings across the state.
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 Professional Beauty Association is very appreciative of the opportunity to work together with the state of California in a collaborative effort to implement safe guidelines for the reopening process of salons. PBA applauds the administration for their careful approach to ensure the safety of licensed beaut professionals and their clients.”
Myra Y. Irizarry Reddy, Director, Government Affairs of Professional Beauty Association
“The Professional Beauty Association is very appreciative of the opportunity to work together with the state of California in a collaborative effort to implement safe guidelines for the reopening process of salons,” said Myra Y. Irizarry Reddy, Director, Government Affairs of Professional Beauty Association. “PBA applauds the administration for their careful approach to ensure the safety of licensed beaut professionals and their clients.”
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 https://www.probeauty.org/relief. 100% of the donations directly support licensed beauty professionals experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The 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.