How to stay COVID safe when reopening your barbershop/hair salon

As we come out of what is hopefully the UK’s final lockdown, it’s safe to say that the whole country is going to be in need of a haircut. Providing that COVID numbers continue to drop, hair salons and barber shops could reopen from 12th April, which is great news if you’re a salon owner.

It’s in your best interest to keep COVID out of your salon, as not only does it reflect badly on your business if an outbreak was to be linked to your salon, but having to close and deep clean is something that everyone wants to try and avoid.

For many salons, this will be the second re-opening since the pandemic began, so you’re probably already aware of the things you need to be doing to keep your salon COVID safe. But it’s still best to refresh your mind on all the ways to keep safe from the virus as the potential reopening date draws nearer.

Carry out a COVID-specific risk assessment
As the owner of a salon, you’ll already be used to carrying out risk assessments to keep both employees and clients as safe as possible. Your new risk assessment should now address the risks caused specifically by COVID-19, including social distancing rules, the use of PPE, extra cleaning requirements and new hygiene measures.

Conduct Your COVID screening questions before a client’s appointment
One of the biggest hassles to come out of working in a salon during a pandemic is the extra communication that needs to take place with a client. But frustrating as it may be, it’s essential that you make sure your staff are contacting each client before their appointment to go through their screening questions. The main questions you should be asking are:
Have you recently developed a new continuous cough?

Do you have a high temperature, feel shivery or are hot to touch?
Have you noticed a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell?
Purchase A Hand Sanitising Station

Hand sanitising stations work a lot better than simply keeping a bottle of hand sanitiser at the reception area. This is because they’re designed to be catch people’s eye, therefore are more likely to serve as a reminder to sanitise. If you’re thinking of purchasing a hand sanitising station for your salon, then check out those supplied by Discount Displays. They offer a selection of different hand sanitising dispensers at varying prices and designs, so you will be sure to find an option which is perfect for your premises.

Take Cleaning Seriously
You may wish to employ a 3rd party cleaner to ensure that your salon is completely COVID-free at the end of each day, but if you’re trusting your employees to do the job, then it’s important that they keep on top of the cleaning throughout the day. Workstations and high-touch objects should be cleaned regularly, and reusable equipment like chairs should be sanitised after each use.

Disposable gowns are a better option for the time being, and magazines should not be offered out to customers. You should also keep windows and doors open wherever possible to allow the flow of air through the building.