Tattoo parlors allowed to reopen under restructured safer-at-home plan

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves adjusted the state’s safer-at-home order to allow tattoo parlors to reopen.

Tattoo parlors will be subject to guidelines similar to barber shops and salons.

Reeves says that while the virus is still spreading and is dangerous, the economic impact is also dangerous and could be “deadly.”

The safer-at-home order extends until May 25.

The restrictions for tattoo parlors includes:

For businesses:

• Before they can reopen, the tattoo parlor must be deep-cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized top to bottom. After opening, tattoo parlors must be deep-cleaned daily.
• All tattoo parlors are expected to take every step necessary to implement the regulations, orders, and guidance from the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Services are allowed only by appointment. No walk-in customers at this time.
• Minimizing person-to-person contact through technology, like mobile or online reservations and contact-less payment, is encouraged.
• Tattoo parlors must post signage at each entrance stating no customer with a fever or COVID-19 symptoms are allowed in.
• Only one customer per employee is allowed in the tattoo parlor at any given time.
• Tattooing and piercing around the mouth and nose are prohibited.
• Chairs are to be rearranged to ensure at least 6 feet between each customer.
• Chair and workstations must be sanitized after each use by a customer.
• All high-touch areas must be sanitized at least once every two hours.
• Hand sanitizer must be placed at all entrances.

For employees:

• All employees will be screened daily at the beginning of their shifts, including asking whether they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have they had a fever in the last 48 hours.
• All employees must be provided training on how to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Face coverings must be provided to all employees who come in direct contact with customers. Employees are encouraged to wear face shields while tattooing a customer.
• Employees must also wear disposable gloves and change them between customers, as well as wash their hands between every customer.

For customers:

• All waiting areas are to remain closed. Customers must wait in their vehicles until their appointment time and they are called for screening before entering.
• Customers must sanitize their hands when entering and exiting.
• All customers must be screened upon entry.
• Customers must wear a face covering, such as a cloth mask, while inside at all times.

Casinos will also be eligible to reopen on May 21. The gaming commission unveiled their rules for casinos to be able to reopen, which includes guest screening and sanitation rules.

Thursday, Mississippi legislature approved a $300 million plan to aid small businesses affected by the pandemic.

Reeves says the money can’t get out to the small businesses soon enough.

“The fact of the matter is they’ve been hurting for weeks and weeks and weeks on end," he said.

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