They are ready.

Although Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. gave the green light for restaurants to open their dining rooms and have allowed children to return to parks and playgrounds, barbershops, salons and hairdressers remain closed.

“I think it is wonderful that they are trying to get everybody back in business, but a barbershop, or even a tanning salon, we need to be back in business,” said McMillan Crevitt, co-owner of Southern Barber & Style. “We are getting so far behind and we have got to get back in there. It is people’s choices whether they decide to come out or whether they decide to stay at home.”

While salon and barbershop services require close contact with clients, Crevitt said they will do everything to assure their customers will be safe.

“We’ve got masks galore all over the shop, we have sanitizer, we have bought extra capes. We are doing everything imaginable to be able to get those doors open,” she said.

Clients are also anxious for doors to be opened, Crevitt said.

“It’s sad. I’ve been getting all these phone calls and have had people telling me they are depressed as all get out and I can’t do anything about it,” she said. “We need to be back open. We are essential. We are their therapy. Nobody feels good if their hair doesn’t look good.”

Once the green light is given to open back up, Crevitt said clients will have to remain outside until barbers are ready for them and no more than five customers will be allowed in the shop at one time until the COVID-19 numbers go down.

“We have sanitary capes for everyone to use, masks, and their temperature will be checked,” Crevitt said. “We even have disposable capes for us to use.”

All customers will also have to wear a mask and gloves.

“We are so ready and prepared,” Crevitt said.

With the numbers of clients who have called requesting appointments, Crevitt said she and her mom, Cindy, have made a list and will start calling the names on it once they are allowed to open their doors.

“There are so many people that are ready to get their hair done,” she said.