Irish hair and beauty industry to close again under Level 5

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that Ireland is set return to Level 5 restrictions, with adjustments, between 24 December and 12 January.

Under the new restrictions, personal services such as hairdressers, beauticians and barbers are to close on Christmas Eve.

The move is in response to the extraordinary increase in Covid-19 cases, with a 10% daily growth rate that the Taoiseach said is “not sustainable”. While there is no evidence yet that the new strain of coronavirus has arrived in Ireland, he said that the safest thing to do is proceed on the assumption that it is already in the country.

Industry bodies have been reacting to the Government announcement, with the Irish Hairdressers Federation and Hairdressing Council of Ireland both noting it was disappointing.

“We have all worked so hard over the last number of months to ensure we are a safe place to work and visit within our communities,” said the Hairdressing Council. “We will continue to do what is asked of us over these next few weeks, and move closer to the day that Covid is no longer a conversation piece.”

Habic said it is “beyond dissatified” with the news. “Salons have gone above and beyond to protect clients and staff. We have spoken with the Department and requested an urgent meeting with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.”

According to Habic, the Tánaiste said the decision to close personal grooming services is a precautionary measure due to the new strain of the virus and the close contact of the industry.

Other closures in Level 5 include restaurants and gastro pubs, which must shut at 3pm on Christmas Eve. Non-essential retail is to remain open, but the Government is to engage with shops and request no major sales events after Christmas. Travel restrictions from Britain will remain until 31 December.

While the new restrictions will be reviewed on 12 January, the Tánaiste said that Ireland needs to operate on the basis that they will be in place for the first two months of 2021.

He said while it's difficult to speculate on a timeline, it will probably be the towards the end of February or early March before a critical mass of the population is vaccinated.