Hairdressing sector urged to get prepared for lockdown exit

The hairdressing sector was on Monday urged by one of the industry’s trade organisations to put stringent health and safety measures in place ahead of salons potentially reopening in July.

The government today published a document called ‘our plan to rebuild: the UK government’s Covid-19 recovery strategy.”

It is hoped that non-essential retail will reopen in phases from June 1, and some other businesses, such as hairdressers and beauty salons could open after July 4, subject to a number of guidelines being met.

The Hair and Barber Council said it is calling on its members and the wider sector to use the time before reopening “to put in place stringent health, safety and hygiene measures”.

Keith Conniford at the Hair and Barber Council, said: “We want hairdressers and barbers to be open as soon as possible. To be in the best position to bounce back, our members will be focusing on health, safety and hygiene precautions to give our customers and staff the confidence to return to the salon or barber shop and deliver the services many are crying out for.”

Hilary Hall, chief executive of the National Hair & Beauty Federation, said: “The safety of the people who work in our industry is paramount. There are many concerns within the hair and beauty industry about the challenges of working in close proximity with clients in a job where physical contact is inevitable. We urgently need clarification about what kind of PPE is required.”

The potential reopenings of salons is part of step three in the government's plan today. This is not set to be earlier than July 4, and the ambition "is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons), hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas)".

See the government's document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy