Industry bodies to issue guidelines for members as salons prepare to reopen in July
The Irish Government has published its road map for reopening the country, with salons listed in Phase 4, which is due to begin on 20 July. This is dependent on there being no issues with the roll out of Phase 1, 2 and 3.
The Hairdressing Council of Ireland welcomed the road map, while expressing disappointment that the industry cannot get back to work until the July date. There are two parts to Phase 4, which are relevant to the industry, it noted. Part 5 details applying a risk-based approach on the commencement of “loosening restrictions on higher risk services involving direct physical contact for periods of time between people and for which there is a population-wide demand (eg hairdressers, barbers)”.
With some clarity on a date for reopening, industry bodies are now moving to guide their members through the preparation stage. The Hairdressing Council is publishing best practice guidance for its members on the specifics of ‘how’ it should re-enter a changed work environment. The Irish Spa Association has created a business continuity and reactivation plan and is publishing a blueprint to ensure its members have the guidelines to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.
HABIC has already issued some guidelines to its members on what to consider as they prepare to reopen. It stressed that the industry will not be going backto how it used to do things; it will require new standard operating procedures, staff training and co-operation; financial decisions will need to be taken around these new procedures; and clients will have new needs, which salon owners and employees will need to understand and address successfully.
Meanwhile, following the publishing of the five-phase road map, the Government announced a suite of supports for businesses struggling in the Covid-19 crisis. The measures include a €2bn pandemic stabilisation and recovery fund; a €2bn Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme to support lending to SMEs for terms ranging from three months to six years; a €10,000 restart grant for micro and small businesses; a three-month commercial rates waiver for impacted businesses; the ‘warehousing’ of tax liabilities for 12 months after recommencement of trading; and a commitment to local authorities to make up the rates shortfall.
