30 March 2021

This update covers:

  • Close contact services: reopening guidance updates.
  • NHBF urges local councils to hand out more Additional Restrictions Grants.
  • Bounce Back Loans: deadline tomorrow.
  • Business Interruption Loans: deadline tomorrow.
  • Lockdown dates across the four nations.

Close contact services: reopening guidance updates

Wales and Scotland have recently updated their reopening guidance for close contact services (further updates may be made in the coming weeks):

England and Northern Ireland have not yet updated theirs. 

NHBF urges local councils to hand out more Additional Restrictions Grants

Hair and beauty businesses, including the self-employed, should not be refused an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) says the NHBF.   

We have written a joint letter, together with BABTAC, the United Kingdom Spa Association and the British Beauty Council, to local councillors across the UK, urging them to ensure businesses in our sector get the grant. This follows reports that many have been refused – which may mean they cannot afford to reopen. Read the joint letter. 

Bounce Back Loans: deadline tomorrow, 31 March 2021

The final deadline to apply for a Bounce Back Loan is tomorrow, 31 March 2021. Find out more on the government website. 

Business Interruption Loans: deadline tomorrow, 31 March 2021

The final deadline to apply for a Business Interruption Loan is tomorrow, 31 March 2021. Find out more on the government website. 

Lockdown dates across the four nations

England: The government published a ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown on 22 February 2021. 

‘Personal care premises’ including hairdressers, salons and close contact services will be allowed to open in step two of the roadmap. Step two will begin at least five weeks after 8 March 2021 (when step one begins) and no earlier than 12 April 2021. 

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

Wales: first steps out of lockdown

Hair and barbering services were allowed to open by appointment only from Monday 15 March. 

We have asked the Welsh Government if mobile hair and barbering services can also begin work again and are pressing for an urgent answer. The current guidance is not clear. It says: "Appointments that take place in a person’s home should be undertaken only if there is no reasonably practical alternatives".

Beauty businesses (close contact services, which includes nail salons and eyebrow bars) must remain closed. A review on 1 April will consider whether close contact services can reopen on 12 April. 

  • All hair and barbering businesses in Wales, must operate on a strict appointment-only basis.
  • Services that relate to cutting, colouring or styling hair on the head can be provided. This is set out in the latest Welsh coronavirus law.
  • Trimming or shaving facial hair (for example beards, moustaches, or eyebrows) is not permitted.

Read the Welsh Government's guidance for hairdressing and barbering businesses. 

Scotland: Mainland Scotland is currently under lockdown.* 

On 16 March 2021, the Scottish Government announced that hairdressers and barbershops may be able to reopen on 5 April 2021 by appointment only. This will not apply to mobile businesses.

Close contact services including beauty salons and mobile businesses may be able to reopen on 26 April 2021.

The Scottish Government has now updated its guidelines for close contact services.

These reopening dates are not definite but will depend on how well the pandemic is being contained in Scotland.

Find out more on the Scottish Government website.

*The only exceptions to the lockdown in Scotland are:

  • Orkney.
  • Shetland.
  • The following islands within Argyll and Bute: Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree, and Ulva.
  • All islands in Highland, with the exception of Skye.

In these areas:

  • Salons and barbershops can open.
  • Mobile hairdressing and barbering can operate.
  • Close contact services delivered from a salon, shop or other static site such as a home treatment room can operate. 
  • All other types of mobile close contact services including beauty are not permitted.

Find out more about lockdowns across the four nations. 

Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is under lockdown. The current regulations will be reviewed on 15 April 2021. 

From 12 April, contactless click/phone and collect will be permitted for all non-essential retail businesses.

Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.  

See all updates