Get used to those lockdown locks! Boris Johnson announces hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons won’t open before April 12
- Boris Johnson today announced hair salons can reopen from April 12th
- They closed nationwide of January 5th following the third national lockdown
- Close contact and facial treatments will be open at the same time
Boris Johnson has announced that hair and beauty salons in England will reopen on April 12th, after more than three months of closure, causing hairdressers and salon owners to hit out at the government.
Speaking to parliament today the the Prime Minster said salons, non-essential retail, and personal care premises such as salons will be open ‘no earlier’ than April 12th.
The new provision allows close contact services, such as eyelash and eyebrow treatments to reopen at the same time.
Boris Johnson has announced that hair and beauty salons will reopen on April 12th, after more than three months of closure, causing hairdressers and salon owners to hit out at the government. Stock image pictures
Ricky Walters, director of SALON64, told FEMAIL: ‘This lockdown has been hard for us all and hairdressers are no exception. With the population all suffering with overgrown hair and hairdressers itching to get back behind the chair, we are all watching in hope of a plan where we can all open our salons again.
‘For every month we are unable to open, it not only puts small businesses under more and more pressure but it also means certain chaos once the industry is given the green light to open.
‘Our waiting list is fast becoming into the thousands yet again and takes a skilled slick operation to be able to turn these bookings into an organised reality.
‘Clients are still contacting the salon daily, desperate to be front of the queue ready for when we can all reopen and another month or so in lockdown will prove very disappointing not just for hairdressers but for clients also.
‘Hairdressers thrive on conversation, good times and a buzzy atmosphere. With hairdressers still permanently in hibernation, we are having to find other ways to let off steam and continue communicating with our clients. Video consultations have proven hugely popular for both hairdressers and clients alike and everybody welcoming the opportunity to mimic a past reality.
‘Salons are not particularly designed to be an “all or nothing business”. We have to use lockdown to really try and come up with creative ideas on how to keep up with such demand once able to reopen.
‘Sadly so many salons will not reopen this time round and I truly hope we will be able to sit in a packed salon, sipping cocktails and laughing with our hairdressers in the very near future.
In July, following the easing of lockdown restrictions barbers were allowed to offer to trim beards and eyebrows, but there was still a ban on beauty salons offering facial treatments, causing a sexism row.
Johsnon first addressed the nation on January 4th and explained England would go into another lockdown the following day, January 5th.
Under current rules, all salons and barbers are shut to reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services.
The guidance states that personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons must close.
Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services must also close.
These services should not be provided in other people’s homes.
By contrast, hair salon owners in Wales may be able to re-open their doors within four weeks – the same time that non-essential shops will welcome customers once again.
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford told BBC Breakfast on Friday: ‘If it is possible from March 15 to begin the reopening of some aspects of non-essential retail and personal services such as hairdressing then…that is what we would want to do.’