Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments:
Appendix R - Effective as of June 19, 2020

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health is adopting a staged approach, supported
by science and public health expertise, to allow certain businesses to safely reopen. The requirements
below are specific to personal care services that require the touching of a client’s face or body. In
addition to the conditions imposed by the State Public Health Officer, businesses and practitioners
must also be in compliance with all applicable laws including the conditions laid out in this Protocol.

Personal care services include esthetician, skincare and cosmetology services; electrology;
nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading and permanent make-up; and piercing
shops; and massage therapy (in non-healthcare setting).
Hair salons and barbershops are required to adhere to the protocol for hair salons and barbershops.
Please note: This document may be updated as additional information and resources become
available so be sure to check the LA County website http://www.ph.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
regularly for any updates to this document and related guidance.

This checklist covers:
(1) Workplace policies and practices to protect employee health
(2) Measures to ensure physical distancing
(3) Measures to ensure infection control
(4) Communication with employees and the public
(5) Measures to ensure equitable access to critical services
These five key areas must be addressed as your facility develops any reopening protocols.
All businesses covered by this protocol must implement all applicable measures listed
below and be prepared to explain why any measure that is not implemented is not
applicable to the business.
Business name:
Facility Address:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
APPENDIX R: Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments Page 2 of 8
Revised 6/18/2020
A. WORKPLACE POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEE HEALTH
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY TO THE FACILITY)
❑ Everyone who can carry out their work duties from home has been directed to do so. This does not
apply to services that are required by law to be conducted in a permitted location.
❑ Vulnerable workers (those above age 65, those who are pregnant, those with chronic health conditions)
are assigned work that can be done from home, whenever possible, and should discuss any concerns
with their healthcare provider or occupational health services to make appropriate decisions on returning to
the workplace.
❑ All workers have been told not to come to work if sick, or if they are exposed to a person who has
COVID-19. Workers understand to follow DPH guidance for self-isolation and quarantine, if applicable.
Workplace leave policies have been reviewed and modified to ensure that workers are not penalized
when they stay home due to illness.
❑ Upon being informed that one or more worker/practitioner, independent contractors and temporary
workers test positive for, or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (case), the employer has a plan
in place to have the case(s) isolate themselves at home and require the immediate self-quarantine of
all workers that had workplace exposure to the case(s). The employer’s plan should consider a
protocol for all quarantined workers to have access to or be tested for COVID-19 in order to determine
whether there have been additional workplace exposures, which may require additional COVID-19
control measures. See public health guidance on responding to COVID-19 in the workplace.
❑ In the event that the owner, manager, or operator knows of three (3) or more cases of COVID-19
within the workplace, within a span of 14 days, the employer must report this cluster to the Department
of Public Health at (888) 397-3993 or (213) 240-7821.
❑ Alternate, staggered or shift schedules have been instituted to maximize physical distancing.
❑ Workers are provided information on employer or government-sponsored leave benefits that the
worker may be entitled to receive, which would make it financially easier to stay at home, including
employee’s sick leave rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
❑ All workers have been told to seek medical attention if their symptoms become severe, including
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
❑ Symptom checks are conducted before workers may enter the workspace. Checks must include a
check-in concerning cough, shortness of breath or fever, and any other symptoms the worker may be
experiencing. These checks can be done remotely or in-person upon workers' arrival.
Temperature checks should also be done at the worksite, if feasible.
❑ All workers who have contact with the public or other workers during their shift(s) are offered, at no
cost, a cloth face covering. The covering must cover the nose and mouth and is always to be worn by
the worker during the workday when in contact or likely to come in contact with others. Workers do not
need to wear a cloth face covering when the worker is alone in a private office or a walled cubicle.
❑ Face shields are provided and worn by workers when servicing customers that require the removal of
the client’s face covering to provide the personal service. The face shield is to be worn in addition to
the cloth face covering. Cloth face coverings protect others from the wearer’s droplets; face shields help
protect the wearer from other’s droplets.
❑ Face shields are to be used, cleaned, and disinfected per manufacturer’s directions.
❑ Workers wash or sanitize hands before and after using or adjusting face coverings.
❑ Workers avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
❑ Workers are instructed to wash their face coverings daily.
❑ Independent contractors and temporary workers are properly trained on these protocols and have
necessary cloth face coverings and personal protective equipment. Business owners are to discuss
these protocols with the organization supplying the independent contractors and/or temporary
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
APPENDIX R: Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments Page 3 of 8
Revised 6/18/2020
workers, prior to their return to work.
❑ All workstations are separated by at least six feet.
❑ Workers are allowed frequent breaks to wash their hands with soap and water, and workers should
scrub their hands with soap for 20 seconds.
❑ Break rooms, restrooms and other common areas are disinfected frequently, on the following
schedule:
o Break rooms _____________________________________________________
o Restrooms ______________________________________________________
o Other ______________________________________________________
❑ Breaks are staggered to ensure that six (6) feet between workers can be maintained in break rooms at
all times.
❑ Workers are prohibited from sharing food and beverages. Workers are prohibited from eating or
drinking anywhere inside the workplace other than designated break rooms or outdoor eating areas to
assure that masks are worn consistently and correctly.
❑ Workers using cleaners or disinfectants wear gloves and other protective equipment as required by
the product instructions.
❑ Disinfectant and related supplies are available to workers at the following location(s):
_________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Hand sanitizer effective against COVID-19 is available to all workers at the following location(s):
_________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Each worker is assigned their own tools, equipment, work supplies and defined workspace.
Sharing held items is minimized or eliminated.
❑ To the extent feasible, this protocol and other COVID-19 related materials downloaded from the DPH
Coronavirus websites are provided in the languages of all workers.
❑ Workers are enlisted and supported as peer educators, reinforcing instructions around physical
distancing and infection control.
❑ All policies described in this checklist other than those related to terms of employment are applied to
staff of delivery and any other companies who may come on to the premises as third parties.
❑ A copy of this protocol has been distributed to each worker.
❑ Optional—Describe other measures:
_________________________________________________________________________________
B. MEASURES TO ENSURE PHYSICAL DISTANCING
❑ Measures are in place to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet between and among workers
and customers, except while providing services that require close contact. These measures include
use of physical partitions or visual cues (e.g., floor markings, colored tape, or signs to indicate where
workers/customers should stand).
❑ Barriers (such as plexiglass) are used at reception desks or other areas where physical distancing
cannot be maintained in order to minimize exposure between workers and clients.
❑ Appointments are staggered to reduce reception congestion and to ensure adequate time for proper
cleaning and sanitation between each customer visit. No walk-in appointments are available.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
APPENDIX R: Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments Page 4 of 8
Revised 6/18/2020
❑ Virtual check-in technology is used whenever possible to notify workers when a customer arrives.
Customers are asked to wait outside or in their cars instead of waiting in the reception areas.
Reception areas should be modified to support adequate physical distancing, including removing
chairs and sofas or spacing them further apart. Persons waiting outside should maintain a six (6) foot
distance from each other.
❑ Workers do not see multiple customers at once. Services for one customer are completed before a new customer is seen by the same worker.
❑ Workers have been instructed to avoid handshakes, hugs, or similar greetings that break physical
distancing.
❑ Workers are discouraged from congregating in high traffic areas, such as bathrooms, hallways, or
credit card terminals.
❑ Occupancy in worker restrooms, break rooms, and other common areas is limited to permit physical
distancing. Reconfiguration of these sites (removal of chairs from break rooms, etc.) is implemented
to practice physical distancing.
❑ Workflow is reviewed and changes made to permit physical distancing during pickups and deliveries.
Shelving, bins, bulletin boards or other transfer-aiding materials are installed to avoid the need for
person-to-person hand-offs of purchases.
❑ Staff meetings are held in a room that accommodates physical distancing or are held over the phone
or via webinar.
C. MEASURES FOR INFECTION CONTROL
❑ The HVAC system is in good, working order; to the maximum extent possible, ventilation has been
increased in common spaces and guest rooms.
o Consider installing portable high-efficiency air cleaners, upgrading the building’s air filters to the
highest efficiency possible, and making other modifications to increase the quantity of outside air
and ventilation in all offices, guest rooms and other spaces.
❑ For facilities that have not been operating, flush each of the hot and cold-water fixtures for five minutes
prior to reopening to replace stale water in the facility’s plumbing with a fresh and safe water supply.
❑ Clients are contacted before the visit to confirm the appointment and to advise/ask the following:
o Bring and use a face covering (preferably with ear loops) during the visit.
o Do not bring friends, guests, viewers, or others to the appointment.
o Whether they or someone in their household is exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms. If the client
answers in the affirmative reschedule the appointment.
❑ Maintain a log of all clients with contact information (name, date/time of visit, address, phone, and email) if
possible, this can be done at the time of registration.
❑ Clients are verbally screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. If the customer is exhibiting any
symptoms, has been sick, or has been exposed to someone who has been sick, the appointment is
rescheduled at least 14 days in the future.
o Both screeners and customers should wear face-covering for the screening.
❑ Disposable gloves are worn for services that require them. Wearing gloves is to be done in conjunction with
regular hand washing and is not a substitute for regular hand washing.
❑ Amenities, including magazines, books, coffee, water, self-service stations, and other items for customers,
have been removed from reception areas.
❑ Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, tissues and trash cans are available to customers in the reception area
and workstations.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
APPENDIX R: Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments Page 5 of 8
Revised 6/18/2020
❑ Workers are using all required protective equipment, including eye protection and gloves when
required for service.
o Workers are required to wear face coverings at all times. A face shield is also to be worn when
providing services that do not enable the client to wear a face covering.
o Disposable gloves are to be worn during the procedures and while performing cleaning and
disinfection of all implements and surfaces after each client session.
❑ Clients are required to wear face coverings at all times while in the facility, except when the face covering
must be removed for the performance of services involving that part of the face. Cloth face coverings
should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unable to
remove the mask or cloth face covering without assistance.
❑ Clean face coverings are available for workers to ensure that if soiled, these can be changed during the shift.
Where possible, clean face coverings are offered to customers, should their face covering become soiled.
❑ Workers are provided with clean, launderable, or disposable smocks that are replaced after each
customer.
❑ A cleaning and disinfection plan has been developed to address the following:
o High traffic areas, such as reception areas, areas of ingress and egress, including stairways,
stairwells, and handrails;
o Common areas and frequently touched objects (e.g., tables, doorknobs or handles,
light switches, phones) which should be disinfected on an hourly basis during business hours using
EPA approved disinfectants;
o All handles, hoses, spray nozzles, and other equipment before and after use on a customer;
o All payment portals, credit card readers, pens, and styluses after each use.
❑ Hospital grade Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved products are used to clean and disinfect
anything the client came in contact with, including treatment tables, face cradles, stools, etc. Follow the
product manufacturer’s recommendations for contact time.
❑ An employee per shift is designated to oversee and enforce additional sanitization and disinfection
procedures, as needed.
❑ Workers are provided time to implement cleaning practices during their shift. Cleaning assignments are
assigned for the hours of operation and are part of the worker’s job duties.
❑ Hard-surfaced, non-porous chair or large hard-surfaced or plastic baskets for clients to put their clothes on or
in are available.
❑ All appliances at workstations and in treatment rooms are properly disinfected between each customer.
o Non-porous implements, such as tweezers or scissors, are cleaned with hot, soapy water to remove
any physical debris, rinsed, and dried completely. Followed by immersing the implement in an EPA registered disinfectant for the full contact time as stated by the manufacturer’s directions. Items are
removed at the end of contact time, rinsed, and dried with a clean paper towel.
o For electrical implements such as magnifying LED lamps, hot towel warmers, and esthetic devices,
clean the implement with a spray wipe to remove any physical debris. Followed with an EPA-registered
disinfectant spray or wipe for the full contact time as noted by the manufacturer’s directions. Use
caution when using a spray and be sure your device is unplugged and do not spray into the motor.
o For electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and ATM machines,
remove visible contamination if present. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and
disinfection products. Consider use of wipeable covers for electronics. If no manufacturer’s guidance is
available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes containing at least 60% alcohol to disinfect touch
screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid the pooling of liquids.
❑ Treatment tables must be covered with either a treatment table paper, a clean towel, or a clean sheet after
each use.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
APPENDIX R: Reopening Protocol for Personal Care Establishments Page 6 of 8
Revised 6/18/2020
❑ Linens are removed (even if the customer did not get under them) and the bed or table is properly disinfected
between customers.
❑ Workers wear disposable gloves when removing used linens, towels, and other draping, including blankets,
and client draping for each treatment.
❑ All dirty linens, including towels, and smocks are placed in a closed container and not used again until
properly laundered either by a commercial laundering service or a laundering process which includes
immersion in water of at least 160° F for at least 25 minutes. Do not shake dirty laundry.
❑ Store all clean linens in a clean covered place. Ensure workers who handle dirty linens or laundry wear
gloves.
❑ Doors are left open, where possible, if they do not open and close automatically. Exception: Body art facilities
must maintain doors closed.
❑ The entire facility, including product display areas, are cleaned and disinfected at least daily.
❑ Floors are vacuumed when possible, instead of sweeping or other methods to prevent dispersing of
pathogens into the air.
❑ All “test” products have been removed and discarded.
❑ Restrooms and handwashing facilities are kept stocked with soap, paper towels, and toilet paper and sanitized
regularly using EPA approved disinfectants.
❑ Restrooms are free of any unnecessary products such as candles or other supplies.
❑ Hands-free equipment is installed wherever feasible (including restrooms) to reduce risk of contamination.
❑ Cashless transactions are strongly encouraged. If reasonable, customers are enabled to swipe their own
credit/debit cards, and card readers are sanitized between each guest use.
If electronic or card payment is not possible, customers pay with exact cash payment or check.
❑ Optional - Describe other measures to promote infection control:
_________________________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BODY ART FACILITIES
❑ Clients are instructed that they must wear cloth face coverings during the entirety of the service.
❑ Workers are required to wear face coverings at all times. A face shield is also to be worn when
providing treatment on facial or neck areas that do not enable the client to wear a face covering.
❑ Disposable gloves are required throughout the tattooing or piercing service and while performing cleaning
and disinfection of all implements and surfaces after each client session.
❑ Piercing and tattooing services for the mouth/nose area have been suspended.
❑ The Infection Prevention Control Plan has been updated to include additional cleaning, disinfection and
other measures, as needed. The additional measures include:
o Increased cleaning and disinfection of body art procedure areas and equipment
o Maintaining accurate documentation logs

D. MEASURES THAT COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC
❑ A copy of this protocol is posted at all public entrances to the facility.
❑ A sign notifying customers that they will be screened for symptoms upon arrival asked to use hand
sanitizer, and to wear a face-covering is posted at all entrances.
❑ Signage is posted that reminds customers to maintain social distancing of six (6) feet, wash hands or use
sanitizer upon entry, stay home if they are ill or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and
communicate changes to service offerings. Signage should be posted in clearly visible locations,
including at entrances, including pictograms, and be made available digitally (e.g., through e-mail).
❑ Signage is posted in display areas to let customers know it is cleaned and disinfected daily.
❑ Online outlets of the establishment (website, social media, etc.) provide clear information about
facility hours, required use of cloth face coverings, policies in regard to making appointments,
waiting outside or in their car for their appointment, preordering, prepayment, pickup and/or other
relevant issues.
E. MEASURES THAT ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SERVICES
❑ Services that are critical to the customers/clients have been prioritized.
❑ Transactions or services that can be offered remotely have been moved on-line.
❑ Measures are instituted to assure access to goods and services for customers who have mobility
limitations and/or are at high risk in public spaces.