The spa and beauty sector received a huge boost on Friday 17th July, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in a press conference that all beauty services will be allowed to resume from Saturday 1st August.
This includes all close contact services restricted throughout lockdown, such as nail treatments, eyebrow threading and facials, providing they can be done safely and follow the updated government guidelines which will be available this week.
In a media briefing last Friday, Boris Johnson said: "From August 1st, we will reopen most remaining leisure settings, namely bowling, skating rinks, casinos and we will enable close contact services - beauticians - to resume."
The news will no doubt come as a huge relief for spas, and beauty establishments across the UK who have been left devastated by the prolonged closure since the lockdown of non essential businesses started to lift last month.
According to a news announcement on BABTAC’s website, the Government have clearly stated that failure to comply with the guidelines will be dealt with and they will be ensuring they are strictly monitored. They will also have no hesitation in reintroducing restrictions if necessary.
Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council said: “I am delighted that the industry came together to support a reopening of our sector. Rebuilding our businesses post Covid-19 is our priority now. Thank you to our workforce, the media who have supported us throughout, industry bodies such as @NHBF, @BABTAC and @UK Spa Association and the public for coming together to support us. We must work in a Covid Secure manner to ensure we stay open safely.”
According to a report in The Independent on Saturday, the government said that when a two metre distance cannot be observed between practitioners and customers, the practitioner “should wear further protection in addition to any that they may usually wear”.
“This should be a clear visor that covers the face, or the use of a screen or other barrier that protects the practitioner and the customer from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking,” the government stated.
Beauty services will only be open to customers who book appointments in advance, and only water is permitted to be consumed by customers on the premises.
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