New rules as cinemas, beauty parlours reopen

LOCKDOWN restrictions on beauty salons, tattoo studios and cinemas are being relaxed in Wales from Monday – but the public is being alerted to the fact that a number of rules will be kept in place.

Beauty salons and spas can resume business, but only for certain beauty treatments, not including any facial treatments “for the time being” – and saunas and pools will remain closed.

The Welsh Government guidelines for cinemas says that while socialdistancing measures are in place, there will inevitably be a significant reduction in seating capacity.

The cinema industry has warned

“few, if any” cinemas will reopen on Monday.

On bookings, the guidelines advise: “Managing audience numbers will be critical in supporting social distancing and understanding potential pressure points in advance.

“As part of a phased reopening, cinemas should implement ways of working which allow them to plan for social distancing.

“Those who are not currently supported by automated online booking systems should consider implementing telephone or email bookings.

“Consider how your booking systems could support Test, Trace, Protect activity in the event of an audience member, volunteer, or member of staff becoming unwell soon after being on the premises.”

The guidelines also advise: “Working differently by considering creative approaches to screening could help with commercial viability. For example, a family-only screening will permit different social distancing measures in an auditorium, allowing a larger percentage of seats to be occupied since members of the same households will not need to distance from each other.”

The rules also suggest that Perspex screens, one-way routes, signage for social distancing, equipment, ways of leaving and entering the building and managing potential queues internally and externally are important aspects of your planning.

Tourist accommodation with shared facilities, such as camping sites and all hotels will be able to reopen from today, as will underground attractions, marking the full reopening of Wales’ visitor attractions.

New rules making it compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport, including taxis, will also come into effect on Monday.

But despite the easing of many restrictions, some sectors remain shut, with no plans to restart.

They include indoor gyms and leisure facilities, such as swimming, as well as theatres and music venues.

The Welsh Government has given pubs, cafes and restaurants a potential date of August 3 for when they can open indoors, although they have already been allowed to do so outdoors.

The next formal review of the regulations will be carried out on Friday.