The hair industry has not been spared from the confusion and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in the closure of far too many businesses and forced hairstylists to adapt to an unnatural environment. If you’re considering opening your doors, these five steps will help create a safe space for you, your staff and your clients while ensuring that your salon is prepared to handle the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Sanitize

The first line of defense against the coronavirus is to wear a mask and to regularly wash or sanitize your hands along with all tools and surfaces. Fortunately, the hair industry is one that has always required a hygienic space, so stepping up existing sanitization protocols should be a smooth transition.  Remember to sanitize tools and work stations between clients and to correctly dispose of single use items. Also consider having easily accessible sanitization stations throughout your salon.

Social Distancing

In getting your salon COVID ready, you must ensure that there is a distance of at least 6 feet between workstations to minimize nonessential contact between anyone in the salon. This may require you to move furniture around, place social distancing markers on the floor or to reduce the capacity of your salon so as to have less people within a confined space at any given time. It would be helpful to remove all shared materials such as magazines and where possible minimize the sharing of tools. Opening windows and doors where possible will encourage natural ventilation.

Go Digital

If you haven’t fully embraced digital platforms as a standard operating mechanism, now is the time to do so. Not only will this help you reach new clients by marketing your salon to a global audience, it will help you plan ahead so you can reduce walk-ins and optimize bookings which will allow you to adequately prepare for each client.

Establish a new health and safety plan

With all the regulations governing human interactions during this period, it would be best to establish a new health and safety plan and have it clearly visible in your salon. This plan should be communicated with staff for them to be aware of the adjusted safety measures as well as their responsibility in ensuring that the salon remains a COVID-free environment. Clients should also be made aware of the salon’s safety measures so they too can have peace of mind.

Know your local guidelines

Lastly, to remain on the right side of the law, it’s imperative that you familiarize yourself with the COVID-19 regulations in your area and that you adapt your systems accordingly.

As the world continues trying to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, it is necessary for every business to play its part in taking precautions to protect individuals, clients and loved ones. Stay safe.

For more updates on COVID 19 updates regarding opening your business, see guidelines here.

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