Government announces hair salons and barbershops safer workplace guidance

After announcing the reopening date for hairdressers and barbershops in England as 4 July, The Government has finally released guidance for hairdressers and hair salons that are expected to restart business in the coming weeks. This includes self-employed/freelance workers and those based in salon. The reopen date given by Government does not include beauty salons, nail bars, eyelash and brow bars, makeup artists, tattoo and tanning studios, spas, sports and massage therapy, well-being and holistic locations) and no official date has been given yet.

The Government hair salons guidance includes the following points

- All salons must stick to social distancing and maintain two metres between clients, or one metre with additional precautions, such as the use of screens - Face visors must be worn by practitioners for all activities. Face coverings are not an acceptable alternative to visors, but clients or staff may choose to wear an additional face covering - No walk-ins; clients must be seen by appointment only. Salon and barbershop owners will be required to keep a temporary record of all clients and visitors for 21 days to support the NHS test-and-trace system which controls outbreaks of the virus - No food or drinks to be consumed in the salon by clients other than water in disposable cups or bottles - The guidance does not ban the use of hairdryers You can read the full guidance here PPE has been a hot topic during the discussion on reopening but the guidance states the compulsory PPE required by those carrying out hair, barbering and beauty services are face visors. These provide a clear Perspex covering for the eyes, nose and mouth from the forehead down. Face coverings may be worn as an extra precaution, but not as an alternative to visors. All other PPE choices will be up to the individual salon. Current British Hairdresser of the Year and creative director of Russell Eaton, Robert Eaton says, "It’s great that the industry now has clear and concise guideline to follow ahead of salons re-opening in 10 days’ time. The guidelines are in line with what we’ve been preparing and planning for already but it’s a relief to see them definitively laid out so as an industry we are all on the same page. He continues, "It’s vital, as salon owners, that we communicate these guidelines to both team members and clients, so everybody can feel safe and secure in the knowledge that their safety and wellbeing is of upmost priority when working in or visiting the salon." Hilary Hall, chief executive of the NHBF says, “Although it’s great news that hairdressers and barbers in England have a confirmed opening date, these decisions have come very late in the day. We are also extremely disappointed that beauty businesses are not yet allowed to reopen, and we have always emphasised that hair and beauty should reopen at the same time. We will continue to put pressure on the government to allow beauty businesses to reopen as soon as possible, and for financial support to be extended." Salons and barbershops in Wales are expected to reopen from 13 July, pending a review on 9 July, and in Northern Ireland from 6 July. Scotland has not given any date for salons and barbershops to aim for. The governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have yet to make any announcement on whether they will be adopting the same guidelines as England, or publishing their own.

To read HJ's additional guidelines on creating a safe salon space for reopening click here.