Palisades Businesses Adjust to Updated Orders

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent guidance, several Palisades businesses have had to shut down indoor operations—again.

On Monday, July 13, Newsom issued a statewide order to close indoor business operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those subject to the closure include restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment, zoos, museums, cardrooms and bars, which were already closed in Los Angeles County.

In addition, Newsom ordered the closure of indoor operations for fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, hair salons, barbershops and malls for counties on the state’s Monitoring List, of which LA county is on.

The order comes after cases of the virus surged in California and LA, leading to record numbers of hospitalizations. Businesses in Pacific Palisades have had to amend their operations or close completely.

Ruby’s Nails closed its doors  following Newsom’s announcement, and Holly Tran, manager of Bellagio Nails and Spa, said the nail salon had to close its doors indefinitely as well on Monday, July 13.

Both nail salons reported the use of personal protective equipment in place prior to the closures, including masks, gloves and more.

Similarly, hair salons, including Daniela’s Salon and Michele International, reported recent closures in compliance with the state.

Daniela Molnar told the Post that her business will remain closed indefinitely. Daniela’s Salon closed on Monday, July 13, and prior to the closure, workers and customers were required to wear masks, and nobody was allowed inside without an appointment. Molnar said temperatures were being recorded, and social distancing and sanitation strictly enforced.

On Monday, July 20, Newsom released additional guidelines for salons to operate outdoors safely. Additional requirements state that outdoor operations may be conducted under a tent, canopy or sun-shelter, as long as there is sufficient outdoor air movement. And businesses should not perform a service that would require a customer to enter the establishment.

Additionally, the YMCA closed its 26 branch locations throughout LA County on July 13 for all indoor activities until further notice. Despite the closures,  the Palisades-Malibu YMCA has “become a leader throughout the region,” Executive Director Jim Kirtley wrote in a statement.

Dan Pardo, marketing director at the YMCA of Metropolitan LA, told the Post that the Y quickly pivoted its operations to do so.

“Unfortunately, this is round two of closures … but I think we often forget that the Y is more than just a wonderful gym, the Y is also here for the community and we provide a tremendous service for the community,” Pardo said. “In the Palisades, Jim and his team have been supporting the community by collecting shower kits and other health kits for people who desperately need things that we take for granted on an everyday basis to live a sanitary life.”

Pardo said the Palisades community has donated towels, sanitary products for women, soap, shampoo, shower shoes and more to be distributed.

Prior to its second closure, Pardo added that branches hadn’t gone fully operational yet and only opened for individual exercises, like lifting weights or using the treadmill.

“As soon as we can open safely, we’re ready to go,” Pardo said. “I think the benefit of this is that we’ve learned a lot and we’ll be ready to welcome members safely as soon as we’re allowed to.”

The Bay Club Pacific Palisades is “offering outdoor workouts on our balconies at the club, including strength and cardio,” Senior Executive Vice President Annie Appel shared in an email on July 20.

As the Palisadian-Post went to print on Tuesday evening, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the threat level of the spread of COVID-19 was at high risk.

Positive cases of COVID-19 had reached 161,673 Tuesday when factoring in Long Beach and Pasadena, with 4,154 deaths. There were 90 cases in the Palisades, with an additional 17 in Palisades Highlands.

This is a developing story. Updates will be available at palipost.com.