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Update: On May 22, Sephora began reopening 70 of its stores across 30 states where local governments deemed it safe to do so, but that initial reopening plan has been modified again in light of recent events.

"We are deeply saddened by the recent loss of George Floyd and the pain experienced by African Americans and communities of color across America," a rep for Sephora told POPSUGAR in an email. "We are moving forward with our phased reopening plan, but we have had to make some changes, and we will only reopen locations when it is safe to do so, and the store is ready. There are some stores that were not yet scheduled to reopen, and they will remain closed, as we monitor this evolving situation."

The rep explained that all employees staffed at these closed stores will be paid and receive their benefits as planned. Sephora will also be providing workers with counseling and support resources. "Right now, the safety of our employees and clients is our most important priority."

Original post: After closing its doors due to the novel coronavirus back in March, Sephora is taking steps to reopen select stores across the United States starting Friday, May 22. The news comes as many states let their stay-at-home orders expire and begin allowing nonessential businesses to reopen.

The phased reopening plan was announced by the beauty retailer on Tuesday, May 19, and includes 70 stores across 13 states where it has been deemed safe to do so. This includes Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Georgia, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, and Alabama. Along with state-mandated rules and regulations, Sephora has come up with new rigorous safety and client service protocol called the "Sephora Health & Hygiene Guidelines" that each store will follow.

"While the retail environment will feel different and many factors will remain out of our hands, we've learned to embrace what we can control," said Jean-André Rougeot, president and CEO of Sephora Americas in a press release. "We are taking an intentionally measured and phased approach to reopening, putting the priority on the health and safety of our communities."

The Sephora Health & Hygiene Guidelines includes 48 procedures to keep both shoppers and sales associates safe. This includes social -distancing rules, enhanced hygiene measures, suspending in-store beauty services, making makeup testers for display only, requiring face masks to be worn by everyone in store, and requiring all employees to undergo staff hygiene training.