Hair Salon Owner Jailed for Defying Lockdown to Reopen Business
Dallas, Texas hairdresser Shelley Luther defied coronavirus restriction to keep salon open
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A hair salon owner has been jailed for defying coronavirus lockdown restrictions by reopening her business to the public.
Hairdresser Shelley Luther will spend seven days in jail for breaching the order in Dallas, Texas, according to reports.
Luther refused to keep her business closed amid the state's strict measures to close all non-essential businesses.
In April, she also defied a direct cease and desist order from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
During her Tuesday court hearing, Luther was given a choice: She could offer an apology for selfishness, pay a fine and shutdown until Friday, or serve jail time.
"I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I'm selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish," she defiantly told the judge.
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"I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they would rather feed their kids," Luther told the court.
"So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision.
"But I am not going to shut the salon," she added.
After her refusal to show contrition, bailiffs led her away to be booked.
Her sentence reportedly symbolizes the seven-days she stayed open, despite county regulations.
“Shelley Luther, a Dallas hair salon owner who opened in violation of the governor’s executive order, sentenced to 7 days in jail for civil / criminal contempt of court and fined $7,000,” CBSDFW reported Andrea Lucia tweeted on Tuesday.
Lucia later corrected her tweet and reported the fine to be $500 per day — $3,500 so far and growing.
Correction:
— Andrea Lucia (@CBS11Andrea) May 5, 2020
The amount of the fine is $3500 and growing.
$500/ day for the 7 days the salon was open.
$500/ per day for every day it remains open through Friday, when the governor has said all salons may open.
Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference Tuesday about the reopening of barbershops and salons, which is set to take place on Friday, according to Fox News.
Texas hair salons, barbershops, nail, and tanning salons can reopen Friday.
Gyms will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity on May 18.
There will only be one customer per stylist and people can only wait inside if they maintain social distancing.
Appointment scheduling is encouraged to avoid large crowds.
Everyone will be encouraged to wear masks, Abbott said.
“This allows these types of businesses to open up, but it doesn’t require them to do so,” he explained.
“Every owner of every salon should use their own best judgment.”
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There’s still no date set for bars to reopen in the state, but Abbott said his administration is working on a solution.
He added that the 25 percent capacity limits do not apply to outdoor seating at restaurants, but the social distancing rules of 6 feet do.
The governor also said weddings are part of the ceremonies involved in rules for religious services, funerals, burials, and memorials.
They can occur, but must all have limited seating arrangements.
