The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Decision to open must be based on science
KILLORGLIN man Seán Taaffe has said any decision to re-open salons before the earmarked July 20 date should be based on scientific evidence, not economics.
Mr Taaffe – whose group has salons in Killarney, Tralee, and Killorglin – is president of the Irish Hairdressing Council, which represents both salon owners and stylists. The Irish Hairdressers’ Federation (IHF) has been calling for re-opening in phase three of COVID-regulation relaxation – on June 29 – rather than phase four.
Mr Taaffe said he is open to returning to work – but only when it’s safe to do so. “We represent the largest hairdressing organisation in the country,” Mr Taaffe told The Kerryman.
“We’re happy to go back as soon as the Government says it is safe to do so. If the R-rate has dropped and the government says it’s safe to go back sooner, fantastic. But we shouldn’t be asking the government to move phases based on economics.
“We all want to go back to work. We all feel like we’ve abandoned our clients. But I want to be able to look after our clients safely, I don’t want them to be worried, and I don’t want my team to be in a position that they don’t want to be in.”
The IHF has outlined its reasons for wanting a phase-three return and hygienic measures that could be put in place to help do so. The federation has also expressed concerns that a ‘black market’ could be growing.
Mr Taaffe said his organisation’s membership is largely made up of quite small salons, and he explained that his own business has suffered greatly due to the pandemic – but he remains steadfast in calling for science to lead decision-making.
“We looked at it back in February when it hit Italy, and we [the Seán Taaffe group] applied for working capital of €50,000,” he said. “Luckily, after we closed on March 16, we got it through on March 24. But we had to go for another €50,000.
“In terms of my representation, 80 per cent of the people I represent quite small salons. In a way, I’m going against what would suit me best from a commercial point of view. But, ultimately, my clients, some of them are with me 30-odd years and might be in their 80s, and I don’t want to expose them to unnecessary risk.”