When will hairdressers reopen after lockdown?

Ever since lockdown began on 23 March, hair salons have been closed and people have been forced to come up with alternative methods to keep their hair in check.

While some have resorted to cutting, dying and shaving their own hair, hairdressers around the country have been flooded with calls from people asking for home visits – which led the National Hairdressers’ Federation of Britain (NHBF) to issue a stern warning to salons that this is illegal.

However, there are plans to reopen when Covid-19 is sufficiently reduced.

Here’s what we know so far regarding when hairdressers will reopen, in line with Mr Johnson’s “careful steps” to ease lockdown restrictions.

When will hairdressers reopen?

The beauty and hairdressing industry employs over 600,000 people in over 50,000 businesses across the UK – and they could be back in the salons by the end of the month.

The government has previously said there are no plans to reopen hairdressing salons before July 4, but The Telegraph has reported that salons could reopen as early as June 15 – the same date many shops across the country will open.

A source said: “Hairdressers were supposed to be the next thing. Boris has talked about unleashing the great British haircut again. It would be treated under similar rules to dentists.”

That is likely to mean that staff and customers will need to wear PPE.

The Hair and Barber Council, which represents 11,000 salons, estimates most of its members would be ready by mid-June.

However, The Department for Business has previously said that salons will not be able to open until July 4.

Ireland announced that beauty salons, hairdressers and barbers will open as late as July 20

This will be during phase four of their five stage lockdown exit plan – as they are considered high-risk. Conversely, Norway and Sweden allowed hairdressers to re-open in late April, and several other European countries are now relaxing their rules to re-open salons.

Sadly, there is no clear answer about when hair salons in the UK will reopen.

What changes will be brought in to ensure staff and customer safety?

When hair salons re-open, it is likely that they will follow safety steps taken by other countries to stop the virus spreading.

Hair salons in Germany have re-opened, but there are no longer waiting areas, dry cuts, or magazines, as these could all aid transmission of the virus.

Both customers and hairdressers wear face masks to prevent Covid-19 infection, and customers wear disposable cloaks and wash their hands before entering the salon.

Customers must also stay 1.5m away from each other.

Blow-dries are discouraged and gloves must be worn until a customer’s hair is washed.

When hair salons open in the UK, most of these regulations will likely be followed.

Conversations between hairdressers and customers while hair is being cut may be forbidden to keep people safe.