Changed face of beauty
LOCKDOWN: SOME SALONS DIDN’T SURVIVE
Beauty association frowns upon house calls.
“But we are working very hard to avoid any impacts on jobs and our salons.
“It is therefore imperative that salons be allowed to reopen their doors as soon as possible,” Sinclair says.
Sorbet has tried to mitigate the risk on its employees by providing them with food vouchers.
“We’ve also been able to waive and defray franchise fees and help with negotiations with property landlords and suppliers,” Sinclair says.
Its only saving grace is that it can still sell Sorbet products at retail stores.
Though Sorbet is not sure when it will be able to operate again, it is preparing for those who have waited for treatments.
“We do not know what the industry will look like [post lockdown], but for now we are focused on supporting our franchises, particularly with respect to the implementation of additional stringent hygiene protocols so that we are ready to welcome our guests back,” Sinclair says.
President of the South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals Elna Hagen agrees that most salons and spas might not be able to resume normal trading post lockdown.
For those that will still be able to operate, the association has prepared standard operating procedures which businesses will have to adhere to in order to ensure that clients and staff are safe.
“We have also provided the industry with a list of personal protective equipment suppliers on our website, conducted webinars on the procedures and recently also conducted a virtual salon for workplace readiness reference,” Hagen says.
The association condemns those making house calls.
“As an organisation, we keep on motivating our members and industry to abide by the law.
“But we have no control of their movements or intentions and since they have earned no income for so long, they are obviously doing what they have to do to provide for their families,” Hagen says.