In-person dining, barbershops and hair salons are now allowed to reopen in Los Angeles County Friday after California Governor Gavin Newsom approved the County’s variance request, officials said.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County leaders applied for a variance to move into the next phase of reopening after achieving the readiness criteria based on positive rates, hospitalizations and other COVID-19 benchmarks.

“Today’s announcement by the State represents monumental progress for Los Angeles County as we join the vast majority of other regions in California on the path toward reopening and recovery. I am grateful to our state and local partners for their collaboration in helping us transition to being Safer at Work and Safer in our Communities,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The variance from the State public health order allows Los Angeles County to advance further in Stage 2 and into Stage 3 of the State’s Roadmap to Recovery.

“This approval by the State enables the County to immediately allow for the safe reopening of in-person dining, hair salons, and barbershops — further bringing our communities together and resuming to a sense of normalcy. Our ability to continue on the path of reopening will depend on our adherence to physical distancing and face-covering guidelines to ensure we are able to protect the public health of our residents,” Barger said.

See Related: Los Angeles County To Apply For Variance To Allow Reopening 

This move comes after a request from the City of Santa Clarita to Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the Board of Supervisors to allow for a variance to reopen, according to the City.

In addition, L.A. County is set to align with the Public Health Orders issued by the State to ensure consistency as the region progresses in reopening.

“Aligning Los Angeles County’s health orders with the State’s is going to provide immediate relief to our communities,” Barger said. “This important step will give our residents and businesses clarity as we continue to take positive steps toward reopening Los Angeles County.”

Earlier this week, the county allowed the reopening of places of worship and indoor shopping malls, as the county begins the recovery process.

Examples of activities permitted under the changes enacted Tuesday include faith-based organizations may resume services, with the number of congregants limited to less than 25 percent of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower.

Flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters may also resume operations, according to the county.

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