Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that beauty treatments on the face can take place in England from Saturday 15 August. He also announced that all hair and beauty professionals will now be required to wear both a Type II surgical mask and a visor whilst working.
Please see the updated government guidance for close contact services in England here
This announcement has not come a moment too soon for those businesses heavily effected by the annoucnement 2 weeks ago that treatments in the 'high risk zone' were once again postponed.
While this announcement has been welcomed it remains imperative that all businesses operate in a Covid-secure way to ensure all businesses can stay open. This means ensuring you complete your risk assessments and following the guidelines set out by the government, including wearing the appropriate PPE, which is now the additional surgical face mask plus a visor.
The Prime Minister also announced that tougher measures will be put in place for people who don’t follow the guidance including increased fines for not wearing a mask.
Local lockdowns will continue where necessary to help control the spread of the virus.
These rules apply to all beauty practitioners in England - including those working in salon spaces as well as as mobile and freelance businesses.
The new guidance doesn’t apply to businesses currently in local lockdown who should check with their local authorities on when these services can reopen.
Update for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland are now following the England Guidelines too (including changes to the PPE requirements to be worn by staff) and members of the public there now need to wear face coverings in indoor places were goods or sevices are available. There is an exemption still for Hair & Beauty Salons where they have 'scheduled appointments only' but if walks in appointments are being allowed face coverings must be worn by the client entering the store. They could reasonably remove that covering for a treatment in line with Englands new guidelines.