24 December 2020
A series of visits to hairdressers and barbers was undertaken between 15 and 18 December to review the arrangements in place to minimise the transmission of COVID-19, taking into account the legal requirements imposed by the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 (HSW Law) and Government of Jersey public health guidance.Particular attention was given to the wearing of face masks and management of 2 metre distancing between people on the premises. The visits also provided the industry with an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on their experiences of adapting to the COVID-19 Winter Strategy. The initiativeThis initiative was a follow up to a previous review of the wearing of face masks or other mouth and nose coverings by hairdressers carried out in the last week of July. At that time, when the requirements were strongly advised but not law, approximately 40% of staff were seen working without any form of face covering. Clients were typically not wearing any face covering.To help assess compliance with the changes to the public health guidance that came into force on 4 December, and the new legal requirements relating to the wearing of facemasks or visors a total of 25 hairdressers and barbers across the Island were visited between 15 and 18 December. Findingsthe level of compliance with the requirements for the wearing of face masks or visors by staff, and wearing of a suitable face mask by clients, was very high in hairdressing salonsthere was a lower level of compliance of mask wearing, by both staff and clients, in barber shopsthe arrangements to support 2m physical distancing were generally good, and included: limiting the number of customers allowed on the premises at any one time through management of appointment timestaking workstations and sinks out of use to ensure distancing could be maintainedinstalling screens between chairs to provide segregationincreased opening hoursprovision of suitable hand sanitiser was typically good and readily available to both staff and customersthere was widespread evidence of good cleaning regimes, with many salons using disposable aprons and towels all paper reading materials had been removed and the few salons still offering beverages were typically using disposable cupssome hairdressing salons had adopted enhanced measures including one-way systems, creation of staff’ bubbles’ working on different days to ensure distancing and minimising risk of closure through contact tracing, provision of ‘Digi-mags’ where a customer can scan a QR code on their personal device and access free magazinesFeedback from those spoken to identified that the sector welcomed the introduction of mandatory wearing of face masks as this removed any ambiguity and made them feel more comfortable asking Clients to wear a mask. Many had experienced cancellations of appointments, with a range of reasons being given by customers including concerns over COVID, a need to self-isolate, parties being cancelled and a refusal to wear a mask. ConclusionsThe standards observed in hairdressing salons were typically good, with a high level of awareness of the public health guidance and rules surrounding the wearing of face masks. The level of awareness of the guidance and compliance with the wearing of face masks in barber shops was typically, but not exclusively, lower than in hairdressers. Advice and guidance was provided during all visits where necessary. It is noted that all close contact services, including hairdressers and barbers, will have to close on 24 December due to the latest restrictions imposed by Order under the Workplace Restrictions Regulations. Further informationGovernment of Jersey public health guidance for businesses during the COVID-19 Winter Strategy is available.
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