These are the new rules you may have to follow when getting a haircut

Salons, hairdressers and barbers will implement new measures to keep customers and staff safe. (Photo: Shutterstock)Salons, hairdressers and barbers will implement new measures to keep customers and staff safe. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Salons, hairdressers and barbers will implement new measures to keep customers and staff safe. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Hairdressers and barbers are making plans to re-open, but your haircut experience won't be the same as it once was.

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Though there hasn't yet been an official decision on when salons, barbers and hairdressers can reopen in England, Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the earliest date could be July 4, when England may move into phase 3 of lockdown.

And while you may be able to style out that botched lockdown cut from next month, your appointment is likely to be very different from what you're used to.

The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has issued some guidance to businesses making plans to re-open, giving advice on how best to keep customers and staff safe to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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New rules could see you have online consultations before your appointment, to reduce the amount of time you spend in contact with your stylist.

"Consider offering online consultations to reduce the appointment time", reads the guidance.

“This could be done before your salon or barbershop is fully open for business. This also gives you an opportunity to talk to clients about safety measures you’re taking to protect them and your team and to establish if an allergy alert test is needed".

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The NHBF has also advised keeping the usual chit-chat to a minimum, to prevent transmission of the virus via infected droplets:

"Avoid face-to-face discussions with clients. Discussions about cut, colour and treatments should be made via the mirror while standing behind the client and kept to a minimum.

You can lower the risk of infection if you stand or sit side-to-side rather than facing people".

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Some of the other guidelines include asking customers not to bring jackets coats indoors as the virus can stay on fabric for a few days.

Though the NHBF has released its own guidance, there is frustration that the government has not yet released any guidance for salons, barbers and hairdressers:

"There is growing frustration at the continued delay in publishing these guidelines, preventing hair salons, beauty salons and barbershops from being able to fully prepare their businesses, staff and clients for reopening", said NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall in a letter.

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