Back to business with the NHBF: reopening FAQs for beauty businesses in England

These FAQs are for beauty businesses in England only. 

The government guidelines for close contact services in England can be found here.

Reporting concerns: if you have concerns or wish to report a business that is failing to implement the recommended safety standards for limiting the risk of COVID-19, there is an HSE helpline (0300 003 1647) and an online form which can be used to report non-compliance.

Salons and barbershops can also be reported to their local authority. You can find the relevant local council here.

FAQs 

• Can beauty businesses in England reopen?
• What PPE (personal protective equipment) will be required for staff and clients?
• Can I treat a client who is classed as 'clinically vulnerable'?
• Do I need to wear gloves for massage and other body treatments?
• Has a maximum length of time been set for appointments?
• What about spas?
• What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
• What is the NHBF doing? 

Can beauty businesses in England reopen? 

LATEST UPDATE: ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN

‘Personal care premises’ including hairdressers, salons and close contact services are now allowed to open.

Mobile businesses should follow the guidance for working in other people’s homes as well as the England guidance. 

Saunas and steam rooms cannot open until step 3 of the roadmap which is due to start on 17 May 2021. 

Also, when step 3 comes into force, you will be able to:

• Provide reading materials such as newspapers and magazines in client waiting areas.
• Provide refreshments in line with the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services.  

 Find out more on the government website. Download a pdf of the full roadmap.

When can training start again?  

Training providers 

Independent and private training providers in the personal care services sector were allowed to reopen on 8 March 2021 to offer practical and hands-on training and assessment. They must follow government guidance for reopening.  

Training in salons and barbershops

Training can take place in salons and barbershops from 8 March 2021 if: 

• Training cannot be done remotely.
• Everyone taking part is a staff member.
• No members of the public are involved. 

What PPE (personal protective equipment) will be required for staff and clients? 

Staff should wear a visor and Type II face mask. Find out more on the government website. 

Clients must wear a face covering. The guidance says that clients must not remove their face covering unless this is essential for a particular treatment. Find out more on the government website. 

Unless it is crucial for the treatment, change practices to avoid any potential skin-to-skin contact. You should continue to use gloves for any treatments where there is a risk of contact with blood or body fluids.

Read the government’s updated guidance for close contact services. The guidance explains in detail the new requirements for England including how to put on a Type II face mask and use it safely. 

Practitioners should seek to avoid skin to skin contact with colleagues and clients if it is not crucial for the treatment and to wear gloves where possible. If this is not possible (to perform a massage, for example with gloves on), then practitioners need to include this within their task specific treatment risk assessment and ensure mitigating control measures are in place. 

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

• Children under the age of 11 do not have to wear them.
• Public Health England do not recommend face coverings for children under the age of three 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 the person severe distress.
• If the person is 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 the person does not have a face covering with them.
• To eat or drink if reasonably necessary.
• To take medication.
• If a police officer or other official asks the person to remove their face covering.  

There are also situations when people are permitted to remove a face covering, including: 

• If asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol.
• If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask others, either verbally or in writing, to remove a face covering to help with communication. 

Find out more about face coverings on the government website. 

The government guidelines also state that the most effective methods of preventing transmission of the virus are still social distancing and regular handwashing.  

Please note:

• The PPE requirements set out in the guidelines cannot be used for carrying out advanced beauty practices and aesthetics treatments which require medical grade PPE. See more on this below.
• The government’s PPE guidelines are for carrying out treatments on the body. Until further notice, treatments on the face cannot be carried out even when wearing a visor. 

Good practice for all treatments when allowed to open

During a treatment, the practitioner should continually move from side to side or work from the back avoiding the highest risk zone. Avoid inactive periods and keep the activity time involved as short as possible.

Can I treat a client who is classed as clinically vulnerable?

If a client meets the definition of someone who is clinically vulnerable, you must use your professional judgement to decide whether the benefit of treatment is likely to outweigh any potential risk. If you decide that treatment is appropriate, the client must seek permission from their GP, midwife or consultant before having a treatment.

It's important to follow the general advice on social distancing.

Do I need to wear gloves for massages and other body treatments?

Practitioners should seek to avoid skin to skin contact with colleagues and clients if it is not crucial for the treatment and to wear gloves where possible. If this is not possible (to perform a massage, for example with gloves on), then practitioners need to include this within their task specific treatment risk assessment and ensure mitigating control measures are in place. 

Has a maximum length of time been set for appointments?

No maximum length of time has been officially set. We are currently seeking clarification in this point. Practitioners can decide on a case-by-case basis if a shorter treatment can be offered that would provide the same therapeutic outcome.

However - the NHBF would not recommend any total appointment time lasting for more than one hour when you first reopen.

What about restrictions to spas? 

Saunas and steam rooms cannot open until step 3 of the roadmap which is due to start no earlier than 17 May, and at least five weeks after step 2. The government has committed to giving one week's notice before step 3 begins.

What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?  

Find more information about reopening guidelines for hair, beauty and barbering businesses across the four nations.

What is the NHBF doing? 

The NHBF continues to campaign at the highest government levels on behalf of the hair, beauty and barbering industries. 

Where can I find more information? 

• Read our 'four nations' FAQs.
• Read the government guidelines.
• NHBF Members can download  a wide range of free coronavirus-related resources including risk assessments.
• Members can call our membership team, Monday-Friday, 9-5, on 01234 831965. Please be patient due to the extremely high level of calls we are currently getting.
• For legal advice, Members can login to get our 24/7 legal helpline number. Again, please be patient. The legal team is also dealing with a huge number of calls.