Salons get to grips with Covid rules ahead of reopening
HAIR AND BEAUTY SECTOR GEARING UP FOR APRIL 12
HAIRDRESSERS, beauty salons and barbers will finally be able to reopen their doors in April after months of closure.
All non-essential retail, hairdressers, nail salons, and public buildings such as libraries and community centres are set to reopen from April 12, following a review of the latest Covid data on April 5.
Mobile hairdressers are included in this, with several saying they are now taking bookings for April 12 and beyond.
Indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, will also reopen on the same day, meaning everyone can start to get themselves looking and feeling good again.
Strict rules were drawn up for hair and beauty businesses to make sure they operate in a Covid-secure way in line with Government guidelines to keep staff and clients safe.
The guidance covers all “close contact” services and includes the requirement to make an appointment beforehand.
The rules also include more frequent handwashing and surface cleaning, working from the back (behind the client) or the side, regularly circling the customer, and wearing visors and face masks.
Customers’ contact details should be recorded for NHS Test and Trace as well as staff shift patterns to identify who was working at the time of any reported coronavirus cases.
In addition, premises are urged not to have radios or stereos playing at a loud volume.
A one-way system should be used where premises are large enough, along with queue management. In addition, “businesses should consider providing shorter, more basic treatments to keep the time to a minimum”. Good ventilation should be provided by using fans and keeping windows and doors open where possible. Toilets on the premises can stay open and should have clearly visible signs about handwashing, plus markings for social distancing, and a limited entry of one in, one out. More frequent cleaning and bin emptying should be carried out in toilets.
Treatments described as in a “highest risk zone” are listed as:
Face waxing, sugaring or threading services
Facial treatments Advanced facial technical (electrical or mechanical)
Eyelash treatments Make-up application Dermarolling Dermaplaning Microblading
Electrolysis on the face Eyebrow treatments Intricate detailing, outlining or shaving of beards
Advanced beauty therapy and aesthetic treatments
In these cases, customers can’t wear a face-covering while the treatment is being carried out.
The guidance acknowledges that when providing close contact services, social distancing is not always possible.
It states: “In these circumstances, employers, employees and the selfemployed should do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk.”
Mitigating actions include:
Further increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning. Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.
Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another. If the practitioner is wearing a visor/goggles and Type II face mask, screens will not provide additional protection between the practitioner and the individual. Working from the back (behind the client) or from the side, regularly circling the client.
Seeking to avoid skin to skin contact with colleagues and clients if not crucial for the treatment, and wearing gloves where possible.
Using a consistent pairing system if workers have to be in close proximity. Only opening client waiting areas where social distancing can be maintained.
Maintaining social distancing between the treatment or service areas, such as client chairs. Contactless payments should be encouraged and disposable items (such as nail files) should be used where possible.
Bookings are to be spaced out to allow for frequent cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of work areas, tools and equipment between clients. Reusable equipment, including client chairs, treatment beds and tools such as scissors, should be sanitised after each appointment.
Fresh or disposable gowns and clean towels should be used for each customer.