Actions

'Too many unknowns': As stay-at-home order comes to an end, workers question plan to keep them safe

Posted at 10:40 PM, Apr 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-22 00:50:35-04

DENVER — We all want to rebuild our lives and get back to some sense of normalcy. The first step could come next week when the state's stay-at-home order is lifted and some can get back to business.

"I can’t wait. We need to open," said Joyce Werth, owner of Salon Beauvallon.

Governor Polis announced on Monday that certain businesses such as salons, tattoo parlors and personal training centers will soon be allowed to re-open with strict precautions. What those precautions are, remains a mystery.

"It does feel rushed and I think it does (feel like that) to a lot of hygienists," said dental hygienist and president-elect of the Dental Hygienist Association, Lisa Westhoff.

Dental hygienists will be going back to work full-time when the order is lifted. That means a larger need for personal protective equipment (PPE), which is already in short supply.

"If you don’t have the appropriate personal protective equipment then maybe it’s time to take a step back so we can proactively and preventable put measures in place," explained Westhoff.

Lauren Hendricks co-owns a hair salon in Englewood called Studio 515.

"We are just really confused and not sure how to move forward at this point," Hendricks said.

While Hendricks said she wants to get back to work, without guidelines in place, she's not sure now is the right time.

"I think I will stay closed for a few more weeks just to see what happens," said Hendricks.

Dre Andrews owns His and Her Salon in Fort Collins. Andrews started a petition asking the governor to push back the end date of the stay-at-home order.

Andrews is also a mother to an at-risk child. She worries that if she chooses not to go to work so that she can protect her child, she will lose out on her unemployment benefits.

"Does that mean we can still qualify for that and still stay home and stay safe?" Andrews asked.

Werth is chomping at the bits to re-open her salon in LoDo.

"I’m not afraid of the virus. I can wear masks. We wash our hands all the time. We use barbicide," said Werth.

When we asked the governor's office some of your questions, they responded, “We will have more specifics this week.”