News
Industry celebrates full reopening, with face treatments, in England
As Professional Beauty went to print, the industry was celebrating the long-awaited and hard-fought announcement that facial treatments could resume in England on Saturday, August 15.
The Government announced that “beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas and barbers across England will be able to offer all close contact services - including front of the face treatments such as eyebrow threading, eyelash treatments and facials from August 15 under new guidance.”
The guidance document for close-contact services was later updated, to say “All services including those in the highest risk zone are permitted” from August 15.
However, those under local restrictions are not yet included in the plan. At the time of writing, that included City of Manchester; Trafford; Stockport; Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, Bradford, Calderdale, and Kirklees.
It was also be announced that all staff offering close contact services, including hairdressers as well as beauty professionals, “should now wear a face mask (type 2 surgical), in addition to a clear visor that covers the face.”
The above guidance also applies to businesses that operate remotely, such as mobile therapists, and those in training environments.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “From Saturday [August 15], salons, spas and other close contact services across England will once again be able to offer all services in a way that is safe for workers and clients. I am pleased to give these often small, independent businesses a much-needed boost as we progress with our plan to kickstart the economy to protect jobs and incomes.”
The news followed months of campaigning by industry groups, including Professional Beauty, and was announced just days after the Beauty Backed campaign was launched by blogger Caroline Hirons, and raised in excess of £336,000. The money will be used by the Hair and Beauty Charity to help industry professionals who have fallen on hard times, particularly as a result of the lockdown.