Barbers worried as COVID-19 shaves earnings Salons also feel heat as clients dry up
BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS, cosmetologists and other beauticians are lamenting the heavy hit their operations have taken with the emergence of the deadly coronavirus in the island and the measures introduced by the Government to contain its spread.
The Government has restricted these businesses to operating between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, no more than 10 people, including no more than two customers waiting to be attended to, should be in the salons at any one time. Breaching the order, which is in effect until April 23, attracts a fine of up to $1 million or 12 months’ imprisonment.
Marlon Gray, who heads the Clarendon Barbers, Hairdressers and Nail Tech Association, said he has been in constant communication with members of the body and they all are all echoing the same cry: “Nothing is happening.”
SIGNIFICANT HIT
“It has affected me significantly,” said Gray, who operates Series of Change Beauty and Barber Salon.
“In the slow off period, I would see three persons coming for the day, now I haven’t worked for days,” he told The Gleaner last week.
He said the restricted operating hours pose an added challenge as most of his clients would usually drop by after work in the evenings.
He admits, however, that despite the challenges, he is in solidarity with the measures to keep the highly contagious virus at bay.
Mandy Young, who is a member of the association and lives in Longville Park, said she has been unable to work full time.
“Since the onset of the COVID19, I have been out for two days for two weeks,” she shared, adding that she has since shuttered the business as her clients were not coming in as they are just as fearful of the virus as she is.
“So I am at home. Business is closed as we speak and it’s affecting me greatly, as is everybody else,”she said last week.
Kamile Lewin of Woodhall had a similar tale of woe as her clients have also stopped visiting the salon.
Menesha Jennings, who operates Menesha’s Beauty Galoure Hair
Studio out of Bushy Park Mews in May Pen, said since COVID-19, she has also lost a lot of business.
“I am not getting the support I used to get on a regular basis. I [used to have up to] five persons per day, and now, it’s one or none at all,” she said, adding that it was particularly distressing since she is the main breadwinner for her family.
While the Government has announced a $10-billion COVID Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme, which will also provide a cushion for workers in the industry, Gray, who is batting for more than 25 active members in his association, pondered whether everyone would be able to benefit as only 40 per cent of his association’s members are licensed.