For hair salons that also offer beauty services, there is good national news amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Beauty salon services and salons in New South Wales and Victoria are able to re-open on June 1, South Australians are able to open on June 8, and Western Australian from June 15. Queensland and Northern Territory beauty services have been permissible since the middle of May.
The government expects salons to continue health and safety measures to their extremes within these allowances. This includes having one person per four square metres, which includes staff and clients, and is capped at a maximum of ten clients regardless of space. Staff and clients cannot come into the salon if they’ve been sick, even with mild symptoms, and everything has to be tracked through records of attendance for staff, clients and contractors.
In terms of the space itself, there are important cleaning requirements that make hygiene a top priority, as well as the removal of books, magazines and iPads from waiting areas to reduce surface contact. Salons must also ensure those waiting areas maintain physical distancing.
As with hair salons, all facilities must offer sufficient hygiene materials, including at the venue entry and exit, and promote excellent hand hygiene with staff and clients. This includes clear signage and conditions displayed online, on social media and in the salon. A designated staff member must also be responsible for ensuring social distancing protocols are met, including keeping the necessary space and not exceeding venue capacity. Staff must be assigned to specific work stations that are at least 1.5 metres apart and minimise interaction. Lastly, all staff and clients are encouraged to download the COVID-safe app.
Hair salons are already well aware of these necessities that make functioning as a business possible in this climate. If you have beauty services you’ve been waiting to re-add to the menu, you’ll be able to add these services very shortly.
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