Coronavirus: South Wentworthville hairdresser welcomes end of restrictions
Hairdressers are in the grip of bad hair days but a western Sydney salon owner is optimistic the trade will pull through after the coronavirus.
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The owner of South Wentworthville’s Zara Hair Studio has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the social distancing rule of 30-minute appointments.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison implemented the measures on Tuesday when beauty salons were shut down but hairdressers could continue trading with treatments limited to half-hour sessions.
“It will be good because we have plenty of time to look after my clients,’’ Zahra Sharifi said on Thursday.
Before the rules were relaxed, Mrs Sharifi was forced to tend to her clients’ tresses in increments, sending them home after their hair was dyed before they returned for a hasty rinse and blow-dry to round out their appointment.
It was not always possible though, particularly for older customers.
“One of my customers comes every week for a shampoo and it takes 45 minutes,’’ Mrs Sharifi said.
“She’s 75 years old. She’s not able to wash her hair because it hurts her shoulder and she comes here for a shampoo every week.’’
Mrs Sharifi also has lung problems and is running the salon by herself because her daughter, who normally works there, is pregnant and must self isolate.
“It’s very hard at the moment because my husband’s job (as an Uber driver) is very slow, and my job is very slow, and a lot of people had weddings and they had a lot of cancellations for hair and make up.”
Non-essential services such as beauty salons and tattoo parlours were ordered to close but the National Cabinet’s decision to allow hairdressers to keep operating was slammed by some as absurd, with fears it makes them more susceptible to the virus.
Hairdressers and barbers must adhere to the four square metre rule per person, which can be difficult but Mrs Sharifi said she had been vigilant, wearing gloves and a mask and ensuring customers follow the 1.5m rule.
Like many small businesses, she has experienced a lull in business but remains confident business can bounce back after the coronavirus.
“My regular customers will definitely come back to me and I think once the problem finishes I will be more busy than now,’’ she said.