What are the new guidelines for hairdressers and when are they allowed to open again?
Not long to go…
The UK’s coronavirus threat level was officially dropped from level four to level three this week, which means that there is still a general epidemic but the rate of transmission and infection isn’t high.
Months after lockdown was first announced, shops have now started to re-open to help kick-start the economy following a 20% plunge in gross domestic product (GDP).
Hairdressers, however, aren’t quite ready to follow retailers and safely reopen – but don’t worry – you won’t need to try another disastrous DIY haircut just yet.
When will hairdressers open again and what will the new guidelines be?
When are hairdressers going to reopen?
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Despite the fact that many non-essential retailers could reopen on Monday 15 June, hairdressers and barbers will not be able to start reopening until 4 July at the earliest.
This is because opening places like hairdressers and salons falls into the government’s third phase of easing coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
It’s harder to observe social distancing in these conditions, so there are more safety precautions for them to meet before being allowed to open.
What are the new guidelines for hairdressers after lockdown?
While some of the new rules and guidelines have yet to be finalised, what is known is that small talk at the hairdressers will be kept to a minimum.
This comes from the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF), who have released helpful guides to assist in the opening of salons from 4 July.
Along with advising members to keep chat ‘to a minimum’ to protect both staff and customers, the NHBF advise hairdressers to ‘avoid face-to-face discussions with clients. Discussions about cut, colour and treatments should be made via the mirror while standing behind the client and kept to a minimum.
‘You can lower the risk of infection if you stand or sit side-to-side rather than facing people. Consider offering online consultations to reduce the appointment time,’ the NHBF says.
It’s also been advised that customers don’t carry a coat or jacket into the hairdressers if the weather is nice outside, because it’s thought the virus can remain on fabrics for days.
It comes as the NHBF have urged the Government to publish further guidance on the reopening of hairdressers and barbers, as salons will need time to redesign to incorporate any advised safety measures before reopening.
In a letter to Business Secretary Alok Sharma, the NHBF expressed disappointment that ‘despite a real sense of progress’ no official guidance is yet available.
In the NHBF letter, chief executive Hilary Hall said: ‘There is growing frustration at the continued delay in publishing these guidelines, preventing hair salons, beauty salons and barbershops from being able to fully prepare their businesses, staff and clients for reopening.’
She added: ‘Salons and barbershops have been unable to trade for months, so if they are to make a financial investment in PPE, they need to be confident that they are buying the right materials and they need sufficient time to source supplies.’
MORE: What hairdressers think of the potential ‘small talk’ ban in salons
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