Drive-ins, barbershops and boutiques are among the first nonessential businesses to partially reopen May 8

We’re still a long way from a return to “normal,” but Delaware will be taking some small steps on Friday, May 8, to reopen some businesses deemed nonessential — with strict limitations, Gov. John Carney announced this week.

Keep in mind, no social distancing requirements have been lifted, and masks are still mandated in public. People are still expected to stay home, except for work, shopping for essentials, and now, the occasional curbside pickup of items that were previously limited to online orders, such as clothing, office supplies and sporting goods.

The following retailers will be allowed to reopen for curbside pickup only; no customers will be allowed in the retail establishments:

• Clothing stores
• Shoe stores
• Sporting goods and hobby stores
• Musical instrument stores
• Book, periodical and music stores
• Department stores
• Tobacco and vape stores
• General merchandise
• Thrift stores
• Consumer goods rental stores

Only jewelry stores are allowed to have customers come in, by appointment only. Appointment-only sales may be expanded to include other retailers.

Drive-in movies are allowed, as long as patrons stay in their cars at all times. Considering Delaware’s drive-ins have mostly, if not all, closed down, there’s a possibility we’ll see some pop up once they’re allowed.

Golf carts are allowed to be used at Delaware golf courses as long as  they are used by one rider at a time and are sanitized between customers.

Hair services (and hair services only) will reopen at a very limited capacity and only to serve essential workers. Guidelines include a two appointment maximum (one for sole proprietors), sanitation between customers, mandatory cloth face masks for employees and customers, disposable gloves worn by employees, and all employees must report a temperature of less than 99.5 daily to be eligible to work. In addition, customers should bring their own magazines (and take them with them), and the entrance must be locked to prevent walk-ins.

People who go back to work under the new guidelines will be allowed to use child care services open to essential workers if there is no parent at home or alternate child care.