Nancy Pelosi criticized for visiting San Francisco hair salon despite coronavirus restrictions

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited a hair salon in San Francisco on Monday, her spokesperson confirmed, despite the city's current guidelines intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

San Francisco's coronavirus guidelines allowed personal service providers including hair salons to reopen their businesses for outdoor services starting Tuesday, with clients seen one at a time. Haircuts are permitted, according to the guidance, but shampooing and hair coloring services are not.

Pelosi's spokesperson Drew Hammill said in a statement that Pelosi, D-Calif., was following guidelines as given to her by the salon itself.

“The Speaker always wears a mask and complies with local COVID requirements. This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed by the city to have one customer at a time in the business. The Speaker complied with the rules as presented to her by this establishment," Hammill said.

More: Trump administration announces nationwide eviction moratorium through end of the year

Fox News first published security camera footage of Pelosi walking through part of eSalon with a stylist in tow, in which she can be seen with wet hair and what appears to be a face mask around her neck, not covering her mouth or nose. The stylist wore a black face mask.

Hammill noted that Pelosi's mask was not on for only a short period of time while her hair was being washed.

Erica Kious, who owns the salon, told Fox News that a stylist who rents a chair in the salon took the appointment with Pelosi. Kious called it a "slap in the face" for Pelosi to get her hair done in the salon while others could not.

Fox News did not publish an explanation by Kious about why the stylist took the appointment or why she "can’t control" what the stylists do, as she told the outlet. USA TODAY has reached out to Kious.

More: California lawmaker Buffy Wicks brings newborn to assembly floor after being denied a proxy vote

Republicans on Twitter immediately criticized Pelosi, painting her as a hypocrite because she has supported compliance with coronavirus safety precautions.

Senate Republicans' account said, "Speaker Pelosi has pushed policies that would keep our economy closed and our small businesses shut down. But for herself? A salon visit whenever she pleases."

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said, "Nancy Pelosi doesn’t think the rules apply to her. She thinks she deserves special treatment."

The Trump campaign dubbed her "No Mask Nancy!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nancy Pelosi visited a hair salon despite coronavirus closures