Parts of the US reopen aesthetic clinics despite highest global infection rate

At the time of writing, the United States has the highest number of total cases of coronavirus in the world, including active cases and total deaths, yet parts of the country are gearing up to reopen businesses including aesthetic clinics, and allowing elective cosmetic surgeries to restart. 

On 29 April, Beverly Hills City Council in California voted with a 4-1 majority to repeal a moratorium that was in place to halt elective and cosmetic surgeries in the city.

The temporary ban had been in place since 16 March in a bid to help lessen the spread of covid-19, but only one councilmember, John Mirisch, voted against the repeal, commenting that it was “irresponsible”, adding that Beverly Hills was (at the time) the fourth most infectious city in LA County. 

Mirisch said he was “absolutely supportive” of medically-necessary procedures, but “I don't think people need botox now. I think that can wait. I don't think people need liposuction.” 

However, as of Wednesday last week (6 May), cosmetic practices were allowed to reopen. One doctor told US media he was already rescheduling a backlog of 40 procedures. He said he will recommend patients do a covid-19 test before surgery and quarantine seven days before and after their procedure. 

Elective procedures can take place

Elective procedures have also been allowed to restart in Oregon, with Governor Kate Brown deciding that from 1 May medical and dental surgeries were able to resume treating patients for nonurgent care. 

She said hospitals and surgery centres must have at least 30 days’ PPE in stock, while smaller clinics and dental surgeries must have 14 days’ worth. 

Though aesthetic clinics weren’t specifically named in the list of “health” businesses allowed to reopen, The Oregonian/ OregonLive reported that businesses offering treatments such as injectables and laser hair removal were among those who said they had received permission. 

However, the governor’s office told the paper that it didn’t intend to allow “aesthetician services, medical spas, facial spas, and non-medical massage services” to reopen – prompting confusion in the state. 

In Florida, many non-essential businesses in Miami-Dade County will be allowed to reopen from this Friday, 18 May. While mayor Carlos Gimenez didn’t specify which categories this will include – but spoke in broad terms and specified a plan for reopening restaurants – The Miami Herald anticipated that beauty and aesthetic businesses will be among those allowed to open their doors again.  

 

While aesthetic businesses remain closed in the UK, check out the webinar programme for our AM Virtual Event to stay engaged with the industry.