Fasano Statement on Gov. Lamont Delaying Salons & Barbershops Reopening

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement in response to Governor Ned Lamont delaying the planned reopening of salons and barbershops that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 20:

“Today’s announcement has completely shaken the public’s trust. Governor Lamont has repeatedly talked about the importance of making decisions based on science. But today’s last-minute delay is not based on science. It’s not based on a change in hospitalizations or testing or any other metric identified by the experts. It’s a policy decision based on input that should have been sought long before decisions were made. Obviously the governor gave thought to the reopening of salons and barbershops, even going so far as to allow hair dryers after first banning them. So why now make the decision to completely delay the reopening? The rug is being pulled out from under hundreds of employers and job creators across the state. Many salons and barbershop owners have spent thousands of dollars over the last few weeks getting ready for reopening. They’ve installed plexiglass, reconfigured their spaces, and purchased personal protective equipment – all at a time when they don’t have cash readily available and many are still waiting for unemployment benefits that the state has yet to distribute. This is a double hit on employers who not only are not allowed to operate their businesses, but are still waiting for unemployment checks because of the Department of Labor’s issues. They are struggling, not only as businesses but as individuals, and the one piece of hope they were given was swiped away at the last minute. Many have no income, they have no way to make a living, and now they are being told to wait again. People can understand the need to adjust plans to respond to public health changes, but today’s delay has absolutely nothing to do with medical science. It’s about political science. This last-minute announcement is a slap in the face to job creators.”