Irish hair and beauty industry seeks reopening date clarity

Irish hair and beauty salons, and spas, are aiming to get Government clarification this week on when they can reopen, in line with the planned exit from Level 5 restrictions.

There has been some confusion around whether the date originally given by the Government was 1 December or 2 December, and industry bodies have been trying to get this cleared up.

Habic has met with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and has stressed the importance of clarity on a reopening date, due to the nature of advanced appointment bookings in hair and beauty salons.

The organisation has told its members that at this point, it must be noted that the date of 2 December is the ‘envisioned date’. “We hope that this will be amended and brought forward to at least 1 December,” it said.

As of 19 November, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment clarified that the date of reopening in the context of the current restrictions is 2 December, and not 1 December. This is the date under which reopening is envisaged, it stated, and further clarity on reopening is dependent on Nphet advice and a Government decision. 

The Department has advised Habic that “the data is being continually reviewed, but as soon as more information is available, we will be in touch”.

The Government is expected to publish a plan in regard to the country’s exit from Level 5 towards the end of this coming week.

“We understand that many salons are fully booked on 1 December and beyond,” said Habic. “We have written to the Minister and will continue to engage with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this matter to seek an earlier reopening, but for now the date doors reopen is 2 December.”