Cork salon asks clients to take pre-appointment antigen tests

A Cork hair salon has announced that it is asking its clients to carry out an antigen test before their appointment.

In a social media post, owner of Retro Hair in Carrigaline Deirdre O’Regan said that as a team, they have decided they would feel safer and happier asking all who enter the salon to do an antigen test pre-appointment times.

“This will help us keep our salon open for as long as possible, keep our clients safer and our staff healthier,” she said. “These are crazy times and, like everyone, we are just trying to do our bit to protect all staff and clients alike. This will be taken on a person’s word, but we also believe we have the most honest and trustworthy clients who know we are only asking this to keep everyone safe and our doors open.”

O’Regan told The Echo newspaper that the new antigen test requirement is to ensure a greater level of safety for staff and clients, as well as to help the salon to stay open. With Covid cases rising, many businesses have announced temporary closures due to staff shortages as a result of people needing to self-isolate.

“I’m trying to keep the place open as long as possible,” she explained. “I have eight staff here altogether, but they’re all working different days so, if you lose two or three, there are days you can’t open.” 

The new measure has been well received, and O’Regan is optimistic that clients will comply with it. “The feedback has been brilliant. I have to say people are really impressed. Obviously there’s going to be one or two chancers out there, but I do feel we have a very young, very nice clientele and I do trust them. I’m open here 16 years and we have a very good name.”