An initiative in the Town of Babylon will help to distribute face shields to barber shops and salons in the towneship for free to help them as they begin to reopen amidst the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
The township’s Industrial Development Agency and a local North Amityville manufacturer, L3Harris Technologies, are donating 1,000 face shields to Babylon barber shops and hair salons. This is a part of the Town’s “Babylon Is Back” program, which helps businesses get back to work as quickly as possible while protecting employees and customers.
New York Forward Phase 2 re-opening - anticipated to begin on Wednesday, June 10- includes barbers and hairdressers, who are required to wear a face mask and a face shield and get tested within two weeks of starting work.
Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said that Babaylon is happy to make the PPEs available to Town barber shops and salons and thanked those involved including Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, the Industrial Development Agency, and L3Harris Technologies.
“It’s great to see businesses reopen safely, but particularly barbers and hairdressers,” he said.
According to a statement released about the initiative, licensed barbers shops and hair salons within the Town of Babylon will each receive seven face shields to better prepare them for reopening under New York Forward Phase 2. The shops must be located in the Town of Babylon and the reusable face shields are limited to one per professional and until supply lasts. Shop owners who require more supplies can fill out a form located at babylonisback.com.
Ted Damaskinos, a general manager at L3Harris Technologies, said that the company is supporting New York’s economic recovery through a series of initiatives to assist small business suppliers, bolster the state’s workforce, and expand innovation.
“L3Harris is honored to be donating these 1,000 face shields to support the ‘Babylon is Back’ initiative in helping local businesses to get back to work safely,” he said in a statement.