Some barber shops opened yesterday in India – What are their new rules and where is the UK up to?

Indian barber shop in suburbs - Imgur

 

  • Salons will have to follow certain rules
  • Barbershops are not open in containment zones

After keeping them shut for 57 days due to lockdown that was extended three times, till May 31 to contain the coronavirus spread, barbershops and salons opened in Karnataka, India yesterday.

The Department of Health and Family in India has suggested that certain rules should be followed in salons to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

THE NEW RULES

Any customers with a fever, cold, cough and throat pain are not be allowed to enter the shop and both customers and staff must wear masks.

“In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, all barbershops, hair cutting salons should follow the latest guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs when reopening for business from Wednesday across the state except in containment zones,” a Health Department official said.

Salons should provide sanitisers at the entrance for customers to wash their hands before and after hair cutting or shaving by the barber or his staff. The barber and his staff should wear a face mask, headcover and apron at all times compulsorily, and a disposable towel/paper sheet shall be used for each client.

All equipment shall be sanitized after each use on a client using 7 percent Lysol for 30 minutes, and staff should sanitize their hands after every haircut.

It was also advised that appointments or token system be adopted to stagger clients entry, adequate spacing (at least 1 metre) shall be maintained for seating, and all common areas, floors, lifts, lounge/area, staircase, and handrails must be disinfected with 1 percent sodium hypochlorite solution twice daily. Carpets and floor area shall be cleaned frequently.

Sharp waste, including blades and disposable razors, should be collected in puncture-proof, leak-proof white containers with a 1 percent sodium hypochlorite solution. The container, once three-quarters full, should be handed over to the biomedical waste disposal agency.

Salons should display posters at their entrance about cough etiquette and social distancing.

UK SHOPS REOPENING

Although it was originally thought that barbers could be among the first businesses to reopen, Dominic Raab has revealed that they will now not open until July at the earliest. This also includes some cafes or restaurants with outdoor space, and places or worship and socially distanced cinemas.

Foreign secretary, Mr Raab, confirmed barbers, pubs and restaurants in England would have to wait until phase three, which would be from 4 July at the “very earliest”, to be reconsidered for reopening.

Mr Raab told Sky News’ Kay Burley @ Breakfast show: “From 4 July, at the earliest, we’ll look at other sectors and that will include hospitality, but it will also include personal care and people like hairdressers.”

 

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