‘No physical contact’: Australia’s top hair salons reopen after lockdown with massive changes
After proactively shutting during lockdown, top Australian hair salons are reopening and enforcing strict new precautions to keep staff and clients safe.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tough new precautions are in place at some of Australia’s leading hair salons which have now have reopened after shutting during lockdown.
Spaced-out work stations, no magazines, staff wearing face masks, and regular hand sanitisation are among the strict measures being adopted.
Oscar Oscar – which operates salons in Melbourne and Brisbane – and Uva Salon in Melbourne were among the hair stylists that chose to proactively close their doors more than a month ago, amid confusion over COVID-19 rules.
This week, they have restarted operations with a surge in bookings – particularly for maintenance-style treatments – after the industry previously called on the Federal Government to temporarily shut it down.
Salons have introduced the strict new measures to ensure the safety of staff and clients, with colour the most in-demand treatment customers are booking in for.
Oscar Oscar co-owner Nathan Armagnacq told News Corp his salon had boosted cleaning measures and reconfigured salon floors to space out clients, including only offering magazines to clients “on request”.
“(We are) leaving every second chair empty so that we are meeting social distancing measures,” Mr Armagnacq said, speaking from Oscar Oscar’s award-winning Chadstone salon.
“As a precaution, we are asking all guests to sanitise their hands before entering and before paying via eftpos.”
Each work station was disinfected in between clients, as the salon welcomed its “full team back on the tools but at reduced hours”, he added.
Just Cuts General Manager Amber Manning said some of its 190 salons across Australia would reopen from May 1, with a “staggered approach” expected to include all locations by May 11 (excluding those in Tasmania).
The walk-in salon chain has increased hand hygiene, boosted cleaning, will sanitise each styling station between clients, and disinfect tools before and after services.
Just Cuts has banned magazines and enforced contactless payments, and restricted the number of staff and clients allowed in each salon at any one time.
As for barbers, Tommy Gun’s Managing Director Sam Jarred said they have also reopened the bulk of their shops in every state over the last 10 days where they scrapped digital touch pad check-ins.
Every customer must hand sanitise as they enter and then wash their hands at the basin before their hair is cut. PPE is optional for staff and they are cleaning their tools and chairs in front of clients.
Celebrity stylist Marie Uva, owner of UVA Salon, reopened her salon in Prahan, Melbourne on Monday after closing for about five weeks.
She told News Corp she had reduced the number of staff and clients allowed inside the salon at a time.
“We’re splitting the days, basically what we’re doing is having half the salon working on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the others on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday,” Ms UVA said.
“Disposable cups are being used for all beverages. Magazines are available only on request.”
Ms Uva, whose clients include Rebecca Judd and Nadia Bartel, said customers are required to wash and sanitise their hands when they check-in at reception.
“We’re asking any clients who show cold and flu symptoms to not enter the salon, and to reschedule their appointment,” Ms Uva said.
“There’s to be no physical contact, no greetings, hand shakes or hugs.
MORE NEWS
Supermodel’s pregnancy confirmed
Sexy items shoppers are buying in lockdown
Bachelorette star reveals dating disasters
“Some staff might wear masks while they’re working and clients can do the same if they want to.
“Staff are sanitising and washing their hands before each client. We’re following the four square metre rule.”
Ms Uva, who has worked with Gigi Hadid and Shanina Shaik, she was expecting clients to revert to lower maintenance colour and styles post-lockdown.
Originally published as ‘No physical contact’: Australia’s top hair salons reopen after lockdown with massive changes
State’s big move on cutting-edge vaccines
One Aussie state has revealed its next move on a major vaccine development project – which promises to change the way it responds to future health challenges.
$1.1m plan to overhaul Long Covid, chronic fatigue care
Guidelines to treat the 750,000-plus Australians who have Long Covid and chronic fatigue syndrome are more than two decades old. See the plan to fix them.