Habic issues pre-Christmas Covid-19 compliance reminder 

As the Irish hair and beauty industry enters one of its busiest times of the year, the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (Habic) has called for clients to continue to adhere to public health guidelines.

It is reminding them to keep wearing masks correctly at all times in salons, practise proper hand hygiene, maintain social distancing and not attend salon appointments if they have Covid-19 symptoms.

“The guidelines are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and to ensure we can keep our doors open,” said Habic CEO Margaret O'Rourke Doherty. “We are proud of the record of the hair and beauty sector and of the overwhelming support of our customers since the onset of the pandemic.”

The industry body is also encouraging clients to give sufficient cancellation notice for hair and beauty appointments that they cannot attend in the lead-up to Christmas.

“It is understandable that clients may need to cancel appointments, and in most cases, salons will have a cancellation list during this period and can rebook cancellations, so long as they receive reasonable notice,” added O'Rourke Doherty.

“With Christmas just around the corner, no-shows and last-minute cancellations will pose an especially heavy burden on salons across the country this year.”

According to figures from salon software company Phorest, an average of 6% of clients didn't show up for appointments following the reopening of hair and beauty salons after the first lockdown, which cost the industry an estimated €519,086 every day in lost revenue.