Today is the day businesses across the Hudson Valley have been waiting for as phase 2 of reopening begins in the Mid-Hudson region.

It's been a long tough road for many local business owners, and the region is excited to get back to work.

Retail stores can reopen with a few safety guidelines, including filling the store to only 50% occupancy, keeping shoppers six feet apart, wearing face masks, having barriers at the register, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting.

Salons and barbershops are restricted to just styling, coloring, and haircuts. Some services are still prohibited such as facial hair trimming, facials, nails, makeup, threading, tweezing, and waxing.

Gina Barrios, owner of Salon 913 in White Plains, says her salon its prepared for the “new normal.” “I been waiting for this day for two and half months. I can't wait, the clients can’t wait. I’m all set up, and they can just come in and get their haircut.  I been getting calls like crazy for the past few days. They call from the car and I let them know it’s safe to come in. They know it’s just going to be them. If they come in with friend or sister, we can do social distancing.  We can keep it private.”

Barrios has had to make changes to the business plan to survive during the pause. “It was a surprise to be out this long. I [have] been selling gift certificates and hair color kits in the meantime to supplement some of the income. My customers were calling me for some things that they could do for their roots. So at least I was able to do that.”