Customers’ hair first to be cut in UK
PEOPLE in Wales have become the first in the UK to get their hair cut in a salon this year after the country’s restrictions on close contact services were eased.
Hairdressers and barbers were allowed to reopen on Monday for haircut appointments only and with a number of safety measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said last week that businesses in the sector, which had been shut since Wales entered lockdown on December 20, would be allowed to reopen because they have “gone through everything that is needed in order to operate safely”.
Customers at Sleep When You’re Dead barbers in Cardiff said they felt “relieved” after having their hair cut for the first time in 2021.
Dan Thain, 36, who owns a fire and security business, said: “It’s like we can see light at the end of the tunnel.
“If you’re dealing with customers, it looks good if you turn up and you’re looking and feeling a bit sharper.”
Safety measures include staff and customers being wearing disposable face masks and aprons provided by the shop, hands sanitised on entry and work stations, instruments and chairs sanitised between each haircut.
Beard trims are banned, track and trace forms also have to be completed by customers and the shop is deep cleaned at the end of each day.
The reopening comes after Wales’ “stay-at-home” restrictions were lifted on Saturday as the country moved to a “stay local” period.
Monday’s reopening of hair salons marks the first lifting of rules for close contact services since Wales re-entered lockdown in December, but businesses like nail parlours and beauty salons are expected to remain shut until at least April 12.
Those businesses say they are being “left behind”.
Sarah
Henson, who owns Beauty Oasis Day Spa and Clinic, with salons in Newport and New Inn, near Pontypool, said that ahead of Friday’s announcement she had to arrange for staff to get the salons ready for a possible reopening. But she, and others in the beauty industry, were left disappointed.
Calling for better warning from Welsh Govenrment over possible reopenings, she said: “For myself, I suppose I own the property and I run a business and I’ve got staff who are able to go on furlough,” she said.
“But for those who are self-employed, I’m not sure what’s out there for them. And knowing that they’ve got another four weeks without having any revenue from treatments is probably not the best.”
Make-up artist Leanne Warren Hester is also raring to get back to work, although she also understands the need to keep people safe.
She has a room at her home in Merthyr Tydfil where she works on most of her clients, apart from if she travels for wedding make-up.
The 43-year-old said: “I sort of expected it to be hairdressers first...
“My first appointment is booked. I have a wedding, and the bride has postponed twice but it’s going ahead, so that’s good.”
She can’t wait to get back to work, but she does think people’s safety is of utmost importance.
Leanne said: “It is frustrating, but my mother is a nurse and she is on the front line, so I see it from her point of view as well. Many people have lost loved ones.
“It’ll be nice to catch up with my clients, get some money and have an income coming in. Let’s hope this is the last lockdown now and things will get better and better.”
The next three-week review from Welsh Government will take place on April 2. ■
Mark Drakeford interview – pages 10 &11