"We are taking extraordinary measures to try and minimize the spread of this dangerous disease," Ulster County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith said in a statement. "Learning that a barbershop has been operating illicitly for weeks with a COVID-19 positive employee is extraordinarily disheartening."
⚠️ PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE ⚠️ @UCDeptHealth announced today that a Kingston barber who has been providing haircuts during the last few weeks at a barbershop on Broadway has tested positive this week for the COVID-19 virus. pic.twitter.com/IVAimqoJ90
— Ulster County Government (@UlsterNY) May 13, 2020
Nonessential businesses were closed March 22. A phased reopening started Friday. However, the order still restricts barbershops, nail salons, beauty parlors and other personal care businesses from operating, NBC News reported.
"As much as we would all like to go out and get a professional haircut, this kind of direct contact has the potential to dramatically spread this virus throughout our community and beyond," Smith said.
There are more than 1.4 million confirmed cases and 86,062 deaths from the coronavirus, according to The New York Times.
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