Irish hair and beauty industry to reopen on 10 May

The Irish hair and beauty industry is set to reopen on 10 May, after being closed under Covid-19 restrictions since 24 December.

In a Government announcement, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that as a result of hard work and sacrifice, the country is in a better place and it is now safe to move forward with the reopening of society in two phases, the first beginning on 10 May.

He said it was a “personal relief” to him that he was now in a position to say that hairdressers and personal services can resume business.

Other changes to restrictions from 10 May include a lifting of the ban on inter-county travel; resumption of religious services, with some constraints on attendances; the opening of museums, galleries and libraries; and the permitting of larger groups to meet outdoors. Click and collect is also being allowed, with non-essential retail reopening a week later on 17 May.

Outdoor hospitality, including restaurants and pubs, is to resume on 7 June, with hotels being allowed to reopen from 2 June. A full assessment of Covid cases and the pandemic situation will be necessary before the June phase of the emergence from lockdown.

There will be continuing Government financial supports for businesses that are reopening, in order to assist them with the costs involved.

The Taoiseach noted that the overriding priority is the continuing rollout of the vaccine, but that “a degree of normality is returning, and hope is returning”.

The Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (Habic) welcomed the Government announcement, with CEO Margaret O’Rourke Doherty speaking on RTE’s Six One News. She said that salons nationwide were prepared for reopening, despite the short notice. “We are ready to roll, we will get clients booked in and we are looking forward to welcoming them back in an orderly fashion.”