Carleton Place barbershop fined $880 for opening, as personal care services push to be included in reopening plans
There is a growing push from the personal care service industry for businesses like barbershops and beauty salons to reopen.
At Towne Barbershop in Carleton Place, owner Kyle Blundell opened an outdoor barber chair Wednesday morning.
"I did about seven haircuts," says Blundell. "I made it from 9:30 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m."
That’s when the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark Health Unit arrived to shut down the event, fining Towne Barbershop $880.
"It was sort of a grey area for me," says Blundell when asked if he knew he was breaking the COVID-19 restrictions.
"I knew that I wasn’t legally allowed to open indoors but watching other local hairdressers and stuff open outside, local barbershops, I just sort of thought I’d give it a shot."
After announcing the outdoor opening on Facebook, Blundell’s barbershop scheduled 180 haircuts within the first three hours. The Carleton Place barbershop is just one example of the personal care service industry’s frustration with Ontario’s reopening plan.
"If I can have 10 people at my house, what’s one on one with masks?" questions Blundell. "I mentioned no beard trims, it was literally just haircuts only."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke directly to industry owners Thursday, when asked if a quicker reopening was being considered.
"When it comes to the hair dressers, folks hang in there. We’re going to get there as soon as possible," said Ford.
It’s a similar situation in Carp, where Jennifer Jones runs a beauty studio out of her home. Last week she attempted to offer only pedicures to customers outdoors, before being shutdown by Ottawa Bylaw Services.
"I was sure with the new phase opening up that if I can have 10 people outdoors now, we all can, I’m sure I can at least do one of my many services which would be pedicures," said Jones. "I can’t do anything else."
"(It's a) nice safe distance, we’re both wearing masks, nice music going on, it’s a beautiful day," Jones said as she described her outdoor studio in her backyard.
She’s pleading with the province to not only let her get back to work, but get back to helping customers feel their best.
"Getting a good pedicure is an amazing feeling even though we’re in a pandemic," says Jones. "Stop taking so much away from us."
Ford addressed those in Jones’ position Thursday as well.
"Manicures, pedicures; I have five women in my house, well not in my house, but five women that are onto me, they’re lobbying me hard for these manicures and pedicures," said the Premier.
But the lack of news on any further reopening is like nails on a chalkboard to those forced to stay closed.
"So wait until hopefully July 2, or 3rd or 4th, whatever the date is that I can actually open up," says Blundell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.