Owner of Roxboro hair salon says she will open shop on Friday

Jessica Wesley plans to open The Room ahead of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order. Wesley says she knows how to keep her salon clean. As far as social distancing, Wesley said she will also wear a mask if her clients request it.

Wesley added that she is aware that Matthew Meyers was arrested for opening his tattoo shop in Apex on Wednesday.

“Good for him, I hope when he was arrested they were polite to him and he was nice," Wesley said. "We’ve got to stand up and coming together Im not doing this recklessly, I’m doing this with a plan of action.“

Apex man arrested for opening up his tattoo parlor during stay-at-home order

Wesley said that most of the hair chemicals she uses on her clients kills viruses.

Roxboro Police Chief David Hess would not say what action officers would take if Wesley opens up. Wednesday night, Roxboro Mayor Merilyn Newell released a statement on Wesley's decision to open her shop on Friday.

"It has been a most difficult time for many of our businesses in Roxboro and Person County which were ordered to close by executive order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have had many conversations with business owners, guiding them to local, state and federal resources in an effort to help them get through this closure, especially when we aren’t completely certain when they will be allowed to reopen and under what conditions.

"While there are many opinions concerning the pandemic and its effects on smaller communities vs. large metropolitan areas, we don’t have a different model for places where cases and deaths have been far less than in the larger cities. We have to work with what we have been directed and at present, we are hopeful our affected businesses will comply voluntarily with the executive orders until the phased plan for reopening outlined by the governor can be implemented after May 8th.

"We hope all citizens will continue to utilize appropriate health and distancing protocols to keep themselves and their families safe."