‘Nonessential’ barber: ‘Kind of scary, but … we’ve got to do what we’re ordered to do’
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Wednesday, life for millions of Hoosiers will change temporarily.
Every Hoosiers, except those who work for essential businesses or services, must stay home after Gov. Eric Holcomb’s mandatory “stay at home” order, issued Monday to help the state fight the coronavirus. It goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
The governor’s office also issued a “frequently asked questions” list regarding the order and information about what is considered “essential business and operations.”
Barbershops and beauty parlors are among those listed as nonessential. A north-side barber, Marlon Reed, said he had no choice but to close his shop, Marlo’s Barbershop, on Tuesday night. “A lot of us, this is how we eat. It’s how we live. Day-to-day basis on cash money. But, I know we have to take precautions.”
“It’s kind of scary, but I guess we’ve got to do what we’re ordered to do.” Reed said.
Sgt. John Perrine with the Indiana State Police said that the governor’s order “has driven us to restrict travel to only essential personnel, people that have essential jobs, or people that need to go out and get groceries or medications at the pharmacy, things like that.”
Perrine said troopers will not pull motorists over to check and see where they’re going. “Under extraordinary circumstances, very extraordinary circumstances, somebody could be issued a citation or, worst case, they could be jailed. But again, we want to emphasize that it’s under extraordinary circumstances only.”
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that officers may issue a citation if the situation calls for it.
Indiana coronavirus timeline
Back in the barbershop, Reed will tell you his work is essential. ?
For now, he’s trying to keep a smile and focus on the positive things.?