NAIL and beauty salons are expected to remain closed until at least April under Boris Johnson’s roadmap to lift the country out of lockdown.
While there has been no official announcement it’s thought the Prime Minister will set out a five-month plan to get the UK back to normal.
When will nail bars and beauty salons reopen?
Johnson is expected to outline the key dates in his roadmap as Britain emerges from its third lockdown.
But sources say the beauty industry still “have some time to go” before they can re-open.
The close-contact issue means it may be late April before hairdressers can resume.
Other treatments, such as waxing and pedicures “where contact is inherent”, could have to wait even longer.
But gyms and hospitality will likely have to wait to April – with exact dates for the earliest opening to be announced in Mr Johnson’s restriction-easing blueprint.
It could be May before pubs resume indoor service along with the rule of six – with the beauty industry and hairdressers hopefully are open fully open.
Johnson is expected to lay out a “cautious and prudent” route out of national restrictions on Monday.
How does social distancing work?
Nail bars and beauty salons have to follow strict guidelines on social distancing.
They should ensure that clients keep a distance of two metres apart, or one metre plus where two metres is not possible
However when treating clients in the beauty sector distancing cannot always be maintained.
Government guidelines state: “Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, in relation to a particular activity, businesses should consider whether that activity can be redesigned to maintain a 2m distance or 1m with risk mitigations where 2m is not viable.”
The government has set out these rules for those who cannot easily distance while carrying out their work:
- Increase the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning.
- Keep the treatment as short as possible.
- Use screens or barriers to separate clients from one another.
- Everyone working in close proximity for an extended period of time must wear a visor.
- Use screens to protect workers from clients. If the practitioner is wearing a visor, screens will not provide additional protection between the practitioner and the individual.
- Use back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible.
- Unless crucial for the treatment, avoid skin to skin contact and use gloves where possible.
- Use a consistent pairing system, defined as fixing which workers work together, if workers have to be in close proximity.
Salons should also adhere to a strict cleaning regime because of the close-contact work.
Many salons and nail bars may ask clients to wear a face mask, so you should check procedures before attending your appointment.
What should I do if I am a beautician or nail technician?
All beauticians and nail technicians should now make sure they have the necessary PPE in place.
This would involve gloves, face masks and visors as well as sanitiser and soap.
They should also make sure they are following Covid-secure guidelines.
While closed the government had pledged support to self-employed people in the United Kingdom as well as full-time workers.
HMRC is contacting taxpayers eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), with the claims service opening on Wednesday, May 13.
What at home beauty treatments can I do?
If you’re still unable to get your regular beauty treatments as salons reopen from July 13, you don’t have to wait to feel and look good again.
There are loads of treatments that you can do yourself, with the equipment you probably already sitting in your cupboards.
Our DIY guide here gives great advice on dealing with such things as dealing with your bikini line, dying hair and tidying up your brows.
Plus we show you how to get a salon-worthy manicure.
