Pasadena Nail Salons Permitted to Reopen at 25% Capacity

Nail salons joined city playgrounds Friday as the latest sectors of Pasadena permitted to reopen at limited capacity after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

The modified Pasadena Health Department Public Health Order allows nail salons to operate indoors at 25% capacity, “but are strongly encouraged to to continue providing outdoor services when possible,” according to the city’s newly revised Public Health Reopening Protocol.

Non-medical massages remained confined to outdoor services, along with esthetician and skin care services, the policy states.

“Massage services performed in conjunction with a referral from a licensed physician or chiropractor (not acupuncturist) are able to open for indoor operation for referred services only and must follow this protocol,” according to the protocol.

Non-medical electrology and body art businesses, such as tattoo and piercing parlors, were not allowed to resume business as of Friday.

City officials announced Thursday that local playgrounds would be opened, with social distancing guidelines in place, on Friday.

City officials also issued recommendations for businesses Friday regarding Halloween amid the pandemic.

“While organized Halloween events are prohibited, businesses can distribute goodie bags with wrapped treats to customers who are already patronizing their stores,” city officials said in a written statement. “Other alternative Halloween activities such as scavenger hunts, online costume and pumpkin carving contests, car parades and drive-in movie theaters are consistent with the ‘spirit’ of Halloween celebration guidelines.”

Pasadena health officials reported six new COVID-19 infections and no new fatalities on Friday.

The city’s overall infections stood at 2,605, while the death toll was 124.

Huntington Hospital reported treating 23 COVID-19 patients on Friday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 1,324 new COVID-19 infections and 21 additional deaths on Friday.

The county had recorded a total of 272,653 infections and 6,626 deaths.

Seven-hundred and thirty patients were hospitalized with the virus county-wide, with 27% of them being treated in intensive care units, the agency said in a written statement.

“There continues to be widespread COVID-19 transmission in L.A. County,” the county statement said. It is important that everyone follow the safety measures that minimize COVID-19 transmission and save lives, including avoiding gatherings with people not from your household.”

State public health officials reported 3,590 new coronavirus infections and 987 additional fatalities on Friday, bringing the state’s totals to 817,277 cases of COVID-19 and 15,986 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The statewide average positivity rates over the previous week, as well as over the previous two weeks, were both at 2.8%, the California Department of Public Health said in a written statement.

As of Friday, L.A. County accounted for 33% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 41% of the state’s fatalities.