Face Masks Compulsory in Salons in England - What Does this Mean?

 
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Following a new update in the UK Government Guidelines on Face Coverings, clients must wear face coverings in salons from the 8th of August in England.

The new guidelines state that clients are expected to wear a face covering immediately before entering nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers - other than where necessary to remove for treatments as well as massage parlours and public spaces in hotels. These must be worn until the client leaves.

This will mean that beauty salons will not need to provide face masks to clients for a cost, as each client should carry their own. This will go alongside the fact that beauty salons are not able to provide treatments on the face, and only treatments neck down can be carried out.

The wearing of masks by clients should bring enhanced safety to both the therapist and clients due to mitigating the transmission of covid19. Until this date, wearing face coverings in salons for clients is recommended but not mandatory - on the 8th of August, this change will be enforceable by law. Measures can be taken if people do not comply with this law without a valid exemption.

Salons are encouraged to take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law and could refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid exemption.

Exemptions

In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not expected to wear face coverings. Employees of indoor settings (e.g. beauty therapists) are not required to wear face coverings.

Clients do not need to wear a face covering if they have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)

  • not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

  • if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress

  • if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate

  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others

  • to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you

  • to eat or drink if reasonably necessary

  • in order to take medication

  • if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

Clients do not have to provide proof of exemption to the face mask rule. Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

However, you can choose to not treat someone if they are exempt from wearing a face mask, if you do not feel comfortable carrying out the treatment.

 
Business and EducationNatalia Kulak