Advice for Guild Members on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

Last Updated 1^st August 2020

The UK Government’s safe working guidelines for close contact services is available on the UK.GOV website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services.

The Prime Minister announced plans on 17th July 2020 to reopen all close contact services in England including any treatments on the face from 1st August 2020. In a further announcement on 31st July 2020, the Prime Minister said that these changes have now been postponed by at least a fortnight, ie until 15th August 2020.

Until further notice, no treatments are to be provided on the face. Examples of such services would include the following, though this list is not exhaustive:

face waxing, sugaring or threading services
facial treatments
advanced facial technical (electrical or mechanical)
eyelash treatments
make-up application
dermarolling
dermaplaning
microblading
electrolysis on the face
eyebrow treatments
intricate detailing, outlining or shaving of beards
advanced beauty therapy and aesthetic treatments (this does not apply to medical settings)

England

Beauty therapists, nail technicians, holistic therapists, hairdressers & barbers, spas, tanning salons and other close contact services are all open subject to the restrictions above which remain in place until further notice.

We have written an open letter Boris Johnson to press for a lifting of the restrictions as soon as possible. See Open Letter To Boris Johnson 1^st August 2020.

Scotland

The list of businesses allowed to open in Scotland are:

hairdressing
barbershops
beauty and nail bars (own premises only)
make up (own premises only)
spa and wellness businesses
massage therapists (own premises only)
complementary alternative medicine providers (own premesis only)

The full guidelines are at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-retail-sector-guidance/pages/close-contact-services. These guidelines were amended on 28th July to effectively prevent mobile beauty, nail and make up businesses from operating. Mobile massage and complementary therapists had previously been prevented from working.

Face coverings are mandatory in Scotland for staff and clients. Visors are also recommended. Treatments in the highest risk zone around the face are not banned.

Wales

Hairdressers and Barbers are open. Beauty Salons in Wales can re-open from 27th July 2020 The Welsh Government issued their most recent guidelines on 24 July 2020. See Coronavirus Workplace Guidance. These include a list of treatments considered safe to offer under the Government's safe working and close contact services. The guidelines also specify a list of high risk treatments on the face which salons are strongly advised not to perform because they require work in close proximity to the mouth / nose / and respiratory secretions on the client. They recommend that businesses do not provide these treatments unless you can access correct PPE (Public Health Wales) HW recommend a Fluid Resistant Surgical Face Mask, eye protection (goggles or a full face mask) disposable gloves and apron) have sufficient training in putting PPE on and taking it off and follow standard infection control precautions.

Northern Ireland

Hair, beauty, nails and holistic therapists are all open.

Local Restrictions

Local lockdown restrictions are in place affecting certain parts of the UK. If you live in one of these areas or run a business that operates in these areas, you will need to read the restrictions to decide if you are allowed to continue to run your business. To see the areas affected and details of the restrictions visit the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-restrictions-areas-with-an-outbreak-of-coronavirus-covid-19.

Beauty Guild COVID-19 Safe Working Guide

We have prepared a five step process to allow you get back to work safely in accordance with the Government guidelines. See our page COVID-19 Safe Working Guide

COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Course

How can you make sure your salon is safe to re-open after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown? The course takes you through a checklist of the things you need to consider and the possible changes you will need to implement prior to re-opening to the public. This course is free for Guild member. Click Here to see details.

Back to work insurance and membership offer

We know how hard the COVID-19 pandemic has been for beauty and hair professionals. That’s why we are offering you our best ever package of membership, insurance and training services to help you get back to work as safely and as quickly as possible. See COVID-19 Back To Work Offer.