What Will Haircuts On The Main Line Be Like In 'Green' Phase?

MAIN LINE, PA — The "green" phase is upon the Main Line, as Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to reopen the state's economy moves forward in the Philly region.

One of the most talked about aspects of the shutdown has been barbershops.

Many shop owners have voiced anger and frustration over not being able to provide services, as well as clients who are in need of trims.

On the Main Line, some shops are taking advanced measures to ensure the safety of their clients and staff.

At MENtality in Frazer, the phone has been ringing off the hook for appointments when it reopens Friday morning.

At the shop on Lancaster Avenue, clients will be required to wear masks and will not be able to get beard and mustache trims or shaves, but hair cuts are all go.

All barbers — MENtality told Patch it will be operating with minimum staffing for the time being — will be wearing masks when working with clients.

As some may know, when in training, budding barbers undergo hours and hours of sanitization education, making them among the most knowledgeable when it comes to preventing germ spread.

MENtality told Patch that routine sanitization will still take place.

Other measures MENtality is taking to protect clients and staff include taking employees' temperatures, closing the waiting area, using a texting system that will let barbers know their clients are there.

Clients will be asked three questions when they come in: have the been out of the country; have they had any coronavirus symptoms in 14 days; and are they living with anyone who is infected with the virus.

MENtality said it has about 4,000 total clients, all of whom are incredibly loyal and supported the shop during the shutdown by purchasing gift cards.

Over in Wynnewood, the John Troncelliti Barber Shop is open again Friday with increased safety precautions.

"There will be some procedures that will be necessary in order to provide the safest barbershop experience for both our customers and employees," according Troncelliti. "We apologize for this inconvenience. However, in order to comply with this COVID - 19 protocol, that we are now facing, John Troncelliti Barber Shop will be doing our part to help make this transitional reopening as smooth as possible."

Only four customers and four barbers will be allowed in the shop at any given time to adhere to the 50 percent capacity requirement handed down by The State Board of Barber Examiners.

Masks or other facial coverings are required for customers and barbers

Customers must wait outside the shop or in their vehicles after checking in a queue, which is a first-come, first-served basis.

After checking in, customers must be in the general vicinity and be able to be reached by cellphone so they can come into the barbershop immediately when called.

Those without cellphones must wait on premises outside the shop and be ready they are called in.

Anyone who does not immediately come into the shop when called will lose their place in the queue

Customers' temperatures will be taken after they come inside the shop and will fill out a form pertaining to the state of his health.