The UK’s leading spa body - The UK Spa Association, has released a new guidance document to support both its members and the wider UK spa industry with the initial reopening period post lockdown.
Following fast acting lobbying by the not-for-profit trade association subsequent to the prime minister’s announcement in late March instructing all leisure and spa facilities to close, the UKSA was invited to consult with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on the publication of a guidance document for “close contact services, including hair and beauty”.
The government guidelines released last Wednesday cover spas, hairdressing salons, beauty and nail bars, makeup, sports and massage therapy and well-being and holistic locations.
The UK Spa Association’s comprehensive guidelines have been specifically tailored to work for spas and salons and cut any confusion that has arisen throughout lockdown.
Taking a chronological approach to the safe reopening of UK Spa’s the literature helps spas meet anticipated social distancing restrictions, and walks a business through topics such as routes of transmission, managing risk of infection and transmission, cleaning, PPE and equipment.
The comprehensive guidelines also feature advice on how to approach treatments, reopen pools and thermal areas, manage retail spaces and how to handle bookings and communication during reopening.
Though it was widely anticipated and hoped that spas and beauty salons would reopen in early July, the only facilities allowed to reopen by the government on 4th July are hair salons.
Following the release of the guidelines the UKSA’s general manager Helena Grzesk stated: “Within this detailed and comprehensive document you will find the information you need to open in a COVID safe way.”
“This guidance is not a legal requirement and does not replace government guidance. It is important to remember that every spa and salon is different, and so each spa operator and individual should consider how our guidance best fits with the requirements of your own business.”
“We want to thank the many, many UKSA members who have taken time to join me on our UKSA Assemblies over recent months. The support and commitment you have shown to us and each other through this crisis has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
“All that remains is for us to get this reopening date that we so desperately need from the government. Please be assured we are on it!”
To access the guidelines visit: https://spa-uk.org/covid-10/uksa-uk-spa-industry-reopening-guidelines
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