Irish hairdressers are to push the Government on plans to reopen hundreds of salons earlier than scheduled.
The Irish Hairdressers’ Federation (IHF) will present comprehensive recommendations to Government.
Hair and beauty salons and barbers are not scheduled to reopen here until July 20th much to the annoyance of many people across Donegal.
The recommendations cover critical areas of the day-to-day operations of salons and the IHF believes they will enable them to reopen in a manner which is “safe to both staff and customers”.
The proposals are supported by several other organisations in the hair and beauty sector.
It is expected the final document will include over 110 specific recommendations which will help keep salons safe from Covid-19.
Incoming President of the Irish Hairdressers Federation, Danielle Kennedy, said: ”Foremost in our thoughts is the wellbeing of our staff and the safety of our customers.
“The recommendations will radically change how we do our business, which will see the extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitisation procedures.
”There are 25,000 people employed in our sector and we want to ensure they can come back to work safely.
“I have been talking to hundreds of hairdressers in the past few weeks and they can’t wait to get back to work because they love their job and they love their customers.
“Our customers come in, they talk with the staff, find out the local news and they all go home feeling great. It’s a vital local service, especially for the elderly.”
Ms Kennedy told RTE’s Morning Ireland the IHF is recommending that salons only allow customers in by appointment and carry out pre-screening to see if clients have been abroad or ill recently.
She said that salons are well equipped and have good sanitisation procedures and it will be recommended that salons “take this up a notch”. In addition, salon workers will wear masks.
The IHF represents over 400 salon owners nationwide, who in turn employ over 5,000 stylists.
Tags: