Salons and restaurant patios are open today in Ohio. Heres what you need to know. – The Cincinnati Enquirer

Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, sanitizes her salon on Thursday, May 14, 2020. After being shut down for weeks to battle the pandemic, Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours and strict new rules. (Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

Today in Ohio, you can enjoy a meal or a beer on a restaurant patio.

And finally finally you can get that haircut you so desperately need.

After being shut down for weeks to battle the novel coronavirus pandemic, Ohio is moving forward with its plan to slowly reopen the states economy.

Nonessential retail stores reopened on Tuesday.

Today, hair and nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, spas and outdoor dining get their turn.

I have been working on reopening ever since the day we closed, said Karen Geiger, owner of Anthonys Salon in Green Township.

Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours, but like at many salons throughout the state, there are strict new rules. The salon is operating at 50% capacity, using five stations instead of 10.

Masks are required for employees and clients (Geiger has free, disposable masks if anyone comes without).

Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, said I have been working on reopening ever since the day we closed.(Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

Clients are asked to come alone and wait outside for their appointments. Theyll get their temperature taken and hands sanitized.

Payments are supposed to be by credit card, if possible.

And, at least for a short while, Anthonys isnt doing shampoos or blow dries, asking instead for clients to come with their hair already clean.

Were going to get some people who are going to think this is the craziest thing ever, Geiger said, but my staff knows, and I want our clients to know, that their safety and our safety is the No. 1 priority. I dont want anybody to get sick here.

Karen Geiger, owner of Anthony's Salon in Green Township, sanitizes her salon on Thursday, May 14, 2020. After being shut down for weeks to battle the pandemic, Anthonys will open at 9 a.m. on Friday with extended hours and strict new rules. (Photo: Meg Vogel/ The Enquirer)

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 1,400 people in Ohio, and Gov. Mike DeWine and Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton have cautioned that just because the economy is starting to reopen does not mean the virus has gone away.

In fact, an Enquirer analysis of Cincinnatis daily coronavirus reports found that the 14-day average of new reported cases is as high as its ever been.

But, with 1.1 million unemployment claims in Ohio since mid-March, many are eager to see stores and restaurants back open for business.

Perhaps the best thing will be for everyone to try to take care of each other, said Rhonda DeWine, who owns Salon Rhonda on the Hyde Park square. DeWine is married to Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, who is Gov. Mike DeWine's son.

Salon Rhonda is following many of the same precautions as other salons masks, extra sanitizing, social distancing, staggered appointments and contactless payments via smartphone apps. But aside from all that, Rhonda DeWine said, people need to check themselves before they go out. And if they have any symptoms, they need to just stay home.

Salon Rhonda has been freshly painted and sanitized in anticipation of reopening. Its spotless right now, said owner Rhonda DeWine. Basically, it looks like the day I opened it.(Photo: Provided)

Just use common sense, she said. I hope I dont have to tell you, if you have a fever, dont come into my hair salon.

Since the date for salons reopening was announced, DeWines phone has been ringing nonstop, she said. Wednesday morning, her voicemail was full, and by 10:45 a.m. that day, she had already taken 45 calls for appointments.

Im looking at probably doing nothing with my life other than cutting hair for the next couple weeks, she said. People Ive never spoken to are like, Oh, my God, I have to have a haircut.

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The National Weather Service is forecasting rain and thunderstorms for Friday.

And on Saturday, more rain and thunderstorms.

And on Sunday?

You guessed it. Rain and thunderstorms.

So, its possible the weather will put a damper on restaurants and bars trying to reopen patio service.

If it rains, that would be really unfortunate, said Jean-Franois Flechet, the Taste of Belgium owner who is scrambling to figure out how to open his locations in Over-the-Rhine, The Banks and at the Rookwood Commons in Norwood.

Flechet has applied with the city to have expanded patio seating at his restaurants part of a plan to take portions of some streets to allow for more outdoor seating but hes not sure if approval on that as well as rental contracts for extra tables will come through in time.

Regardless, Taste of Belgiums patios at Rookwood Commons and The Banks will be open, and Taste of Belgium will be doing carryout from those locations as well, just like it has throughout the pandemic.

The restaurants will have limited menus, Flechet said, since its basically like starting from scratch with inventory.

Everything is very last minute, he said. The governor last week took everybody by surprise, so were trying to see what we can do to make it happen.

Taste of Belgium is placing signs at its restaurants to remind diners of the new rules.(Photo: Provided)

On one hand, Flechet is excited to reopen. On the other, hes wary of restaurants new role in policing social distancing and other health requirements. At Taste of Belgium, that means only one person per party should visit the hostess stand to check in. Customers should wait outside until their table is ready and wear masks until theyre seated.

When people dont want to follow those rules, Flechet isnt sure how its going to go.

The whole concept of hospitality is changing, he said. Before, our attitude toward the guest was, The answer is, Yes. What is the question? And we can no longer do that. We need to be there to enforce the rules and some people dont like that.

Betsy Eicher, left, with her brother-in-law Randy Reichelderfer at their Urban Grill food truck. Urban Grill also has a sit-down restaurant on Main Street in Newtown.(Photo: The Enquirer/ Liz Dufour)

Betsy Eicher is also concerned about restaurants new role as enforcers. But the owner of Urban Grill in Newtown feels prepared and ready to go for Friday.

Urban Grill has two covered decks, so Eicher is not worried about the weather.

And the decks are spacious enough that, even with social distancing requirements, Eicher thinks she can seat about 40% of her usual capacity.

Per Ohios guidelines, groups are limited to 10, and Eicher plans to only take one group that large per evening, reserved in advance and paid upfront.

The rest of the tables will be first-come, first served.

Customers will be asked to wait in their cars until their table is ready, but they can get a drink at the bar that has been moved outside.

Eicher is excited to reopen, and she thinks diners are going to be eager, too.

Weve been getting a lot of emails, a lot of requests for the big table, she said. Ive already had to turn people down, even my sister.

LaRosa's Pizzeria(Photo: The Enquirer/Jennie Key)

Just like with retail stores, many of which remained closed even after they were allowed to reopen on Tuesday, some salons and restaurants are choosing to wait it out.

Susan Selzer, co-owner of Arthurs pub in Hyde Park, said she probably wont open on Friday if it rains.

And LaRosa's Pizzeria restaurants, which have been doing well with carryout and delivery, will open sometime after Memorial Day.

Were not in a big hurry, said CEO Mike LaRosa. We want to ease into it and do it safely.

Spruce Nail Shop in Over-the-Rhine is planning to open its books on May 18 for appointments starting June 1, according to its Facebook page.

And while no one answered the phone at multiple Great Clips locations in Greater Cincinnati on Wednesday, a company spokeswoman said the stores will be opened over the next week or two as staff are trained on new policies and procedures.

A voicemail at some of the stores says theyll be reopening on Sunday.

The message reminds customers theyll have to wait outside or in their car until its their turn for a cut.

Please bring a mask, it says. We look forward to safely serving you.

What is reopening on Friday?

Hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons, tanning salons, and tattoo and body piercing parlors are all allowed to open on Friday, as are outdoor areas at bars and restaurants.

Will everything be open?

No. Just like with retail, some owners might have a plan to open later. If youre planning to visit a specific place, its best to call ahead. With salons, many arent taking walk-ins, anyway.

If its food youre after, The Enquirer has a list of bars and restaurants whose patios will be open for business on Friday.

Can I eat inside at a restaurant?

No.

Friday is for patio dining only. Indoor dining in Ohio reopens on May 21.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Maybe.

Masks in Ohio are recommended for customers but not required. Still, the rules could vary at a particular location, and some may require masks.

Masks for employees are required, but there are exceptions.

What about Kentucky?

Kentucky's schedule for reopening is different than Ohio's. Retail stores in Kentucky open on May 20 followed by restaurants on May 22. Restaurants can open at 33% of capacity indoors but unlimited capacity outdoors provided social distancing guidelines are met.

However, for Northern Kentucky residents, there is nothing to stop them from visiting stores, restaurants and salonsin Ohio.

Anything else I need to know?

Social distancing is still mandatory in Ohio, meaning there should be at least six feet between people at all times. That will mean new rules and norms. Businesses will likely be taking extra precautions, and that means you may have to wait a little longer for a table or a haircut.

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Salons and restaurant patios are open today in Ohio. Heres what you need to know. - The Cincinnati Enquirer