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Coronavirus Delaware: Gov. Carney Allowing Some Small Businesses To Resume Limited Operations On Friday

DOVER, Del. (CBS) -- Delaware is beginning its road to recovery. Some businesses will be allowed to reopen on a limited basis as early as Friday.

Among those that can reopen are salons and barbershops but not everyone can get a cut.

Delaware Gov. John Carney is calling it "interim steps," not a complete reopening.

"Baby steps, if you will, to certain retail establishments to allow them to operate on a limited basis," Carney said.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, some small businesses in the first state will be allowed to operate under strict health and safety guidelines.

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"Things are going to be different. I think that's the message, as well as we -- in a rolling way -- kind of reopen business here in our state. We need to do so, making sure people still stay six feet apart. The virus will still be present," Carney said.

Under the plan, certain retailers will be operating using curbside pickup. The kind of stores include:

  • Clothing and shoe stores
  • Retailers that sell sporting goods, hobby items and musical instruments
  • Book and music shops
  • Department stores
  • Tobacco and vape shops
  • General merchandise stores
  • Consumer goods rental shops

Jewelry stores will be able to operate by appointment only.

Beauty salons and barbershops will be able to open up as well, but their services won't be available to everyone.

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Starting Friday at 8 a.m., they can offer hair care services only to those who work at essential businesses. Only two appointments can be held at a time, everyone has to wear masks, stations have to be sanitized after each use and employees must report their temperatures daily.

Above 99.5 degrees makes a person ineligible to work.

The governor says that there is a lot of focus right now on the hospitality and tourism industry as we approach Memorial Day weekend. Still, no decision has been made on exactly when Delaware beaches will open up.

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