Close contact treatments in UK resume whilst saunas and steam rooms remain closed

Image: Type II face masks must be worn alongside clear visors for all close contact services from August 15th

The government has announced close contact services including face treatments are permitted to resume in England with stricter rules for face coverings.

From Saturday 15th August, spas and beauty salons are able to offer front of face treatments such as eyebrow threading, eyelash tinting, facials, make-up application, dermarolling and microblading. The rules, which also apply to mobile beauty businesses are permitted providing practitioners wear a Type II face mask in addition to clear visors. Customers must also wear a face covering during treatment. Serious breaches of social distancing restrictions such as repeatedly flouting face covering rules could result in a maximum fine of £3,200. The updated guidance does not apply to those who are currently in local lockdown measures.

Following the announcement, the government stipulated that workplaces must still remain COVID-19 secure, with regular cleaning and hand washing taking place.

The relaxing of rules around permitted close contact services does not include sauna and steam rooms which must remain closed until further notice. According to an announcement shared on Monday, the UK Spa Association has joined forces with BABTAC, CIBTAC, The British Beauty Council, nhbfsocial and ukactive to send an open letter to the government to ask for an explanation as to why saunas and steam rooms have not yet been allowed to reopen.

“We have submitted copious amounts of scientific based and substantiated evidence to show that saunas and steam rooms can operate in a COVID-19 safe manner, and have as yet received no counter evidence back from the government in return.”

“We will continue to fight for a reopen date as soon as possible as we know that thermal treatments can constitute a large percentage of total revenue for many spa and wellness businesses.”

To review the latest guidelines on close contact services including new PPE guidance visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services