ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Hairdresser Jailed For Keeping Salon Open During Lockdown Defends Decision

Hairdresser Jailed For Keeping Salon Open During Lockdown Defends Decision

Shelley Luther from Texas spent two days in prison after she failed to abide by the rules

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A hairdresser who kept her salon open during the coronavirus pandemic and was subsequently jailed has defended her decision.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Shelley Luther spoke to hosts Ranvir Singh and Ben Shephard about her actions and explained that she feels it was all worth it.

Shelley was also joined by Nicky Clarke.
ITV/GMB

The Texas hairdresser was sent to prison to serve seven days behind bars. She only ended up doing two and says she might have to go back to do the other five, it will all depend on the decision from the Supreme Court.

After she was asked what led her to take the action she did, Shelley explained: "We had been closed for about a month, and my hairdressers were telling me they couldn't pay their mortgage and they were having a card time feeding their family.

"And I was in the same position, and they told me they were going to start going underground and go to people's houses.

"And I thought for sanitation reasons it would be smarter and more responsible for me to open the salon where I could control the environment.

"I knew I was going to get a visit from the police, but it's tricky thing here, it's considered an ordinance and not actually a law. So I knew I might get in some trouble but I didn't know to what extent."

In response to Ranvir asking whether it was worth it, Shelley went on: "Oh absolutely, yep. Really, that [criminal record] doesn't matter to me, my hair salon when I opened it on April 24th has not closed since - even when I was in jail.

"My hair stylists were able to get back to work, providing for their families. Also here, in Texas and across the United States people thought it was a big deal that I took a stand and said 'we have rights' and yes there is a virus going around but we're all responsible adults, we can take the proper precautions and if people don't want to come in then that's absolutely their right to do."

Hairdresser Shelley Luther.
ITV/GMB

She continued: "We've been open for quite a while now and we haven't had any reported cases of my hairdressers or anyone that's been in the salon getting the virus.

"As hair stylists, they have many many hours of sanitation training already as part of their job so adding the masks and the social distancing and all of those other precautions on top of that makes us one of the more sanitary places to go to."

Nicky Clarke then admitted that he understood what Shelley was saying in terms of the sanitation but added that he 'can't condone breaking the rules'.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/GMB

Topics: Entertainment, lockdown, TV and Film, Good Morning Britain, Coronavirus, ITV