LAST UPDATE | 25 May 2020

THE IRISH HAIRDRESSERS’ Federation (IHF) will present a number of recommendations to the government that they say could allow salons to open early.

Under the government roadmap for lifting Covid-19 restrictions, hairdressers and barbers are not set to open until phase four, currently expected to begin on 20 July.

The IHF recommendations are expected to cover critical day-to-day operations of salons that will enable them to re-open in a manner which is safe to both staff and customers.

TheJournal.ie understands that the new measures will include: a protocol for booking appointments, customers being asked questions as part of a screening process that could include temperature checks; customers’ names and phone numbers being logged to help with contact tracing, as well as regular hand washing and social distancing measures.

The group, which is the trade association for Irish hairdressers and represents over 400 salons, says its recommendations are being developed with the input of a health and safety expert.

“Foremost in our thoughts is the well-being of our staff and the safety of our customers,” incoming President of the Irish Hairdressers Federation, Danielle Kennedy said.

“The recommendations will radically change how we do our business, which will see the extensive use of PPE and sanitisation procedures.’’

It’s expected that the group’s final document will include over 110 specific recommendations, and will be presented to the government later this week.

Hair salon group Sugar Culture listed a number of measures it will be taking to ahead of opening on 20 July – among these is offering appointments two weeks before reopening.

Once customers check-in, they will be given ‘PPE packs’ which are to be worn for the rest of the appointment. Staff will also be wearing protective equipment.

Non-refundable deposits will be needed to book an appointment, amid an “extremely challenging time”, they said. But if you do need to cancel an appointment, you will be given the option of rescheduling your appointment within one month.

There will also be temperature checks on arrival, solo appointments only, the use of hand sanitizer upon arrival and exit, and sharing magazines or other non-essential items won’t be allowed. Social distancing rules will also apply.

- with reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha