Hairdressers to remain closed until 20 July despite acceleration of road map phases

The Irish hair and beauty industry looks set to still be scheduled to reopen on 20 July, despite the Government’s announcement of an acceleration of the road map to reopen the country.

The sector was listed on Phase 4 of the original road map, meaning it was to reopen on the July date. The Irish Hairdressers Federation recently brought recommendations to the Government in an effort to reopen earlier.

But Taoiseach Leo Varadker said salons would remain closed as the work involves “almost face-to-face contact” and therefore it is a “high-risk engagement”.

The revised road map sees most retail outlets in the country being given the go-ahead to open in Phase 2, which is Monday, 8 June. People can travel within their own counties from Monday also, while all internal travel restrictions will be lifted by 29 June, which is Phase 3.

Furthermore, Phase 5 has now been scrapped, meaning lockdown in Ireland is now set to end on 20 July instead of 10 August.

The Taoiseach said the decision to accelerate the easing of restrictions was made based on the medical evidence and the recommendations of Nphet, and Government reports on the economic and social impact of Covid-19.