9 November 2020

This update covers:

  • Wales: firebreak ends today.
  • UK: furlough scheme extended.
  • UK: increased financial support for the self-employed.
  • England: guidance for close contact services updated.
  • England: further guidance on massage treatments.

Wales: firebreak ends today

The Welsh firebreak which required the closure of salons and barbershops as well as mobile hairdressers and therapists ended just after midnight this morning, Monday, 9 November 2020. Close contact services can now reopen but must take all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Find out more about the new rules for Wales on the Welsh Government website.

The Welsh Government is advising hair and beauty businesses to check back often for the latest guidance on providing close contact services as this will be kept under review. You can also read the government’s Q&As on close contact services.

UK: furlough scheme extended

The furlough scheme has been extended to 31 March 2021. Employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The policy will be reviewed in January. The Job Support Scheme has now been postponed. Find out more on the government website.

UK: increased financial support for the self-employed

Self-employed chair, space and room renters can claim a grant of 80% of their average trading profits covering the three-month period November 2020 to January 2021, up to a maximum of £7,500 (the maximum previously announced was £5,160).

The amount of the second three-month grant to cover February 2021 to April 2021 will be decided at a later date. Tax and National Insurance must be paid on the grants. Find out more on the government website.

Find out what other financial help may be available for the self-employed including New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

England: guidance for close contact services updated

The guidance for close contact services in England has been updated to confirm that personal care facilities such as hair, beauty and nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, body and skin piercing services, non-medical acupuncture and tanning salons must close until 2 December 2020. The current plan is to allow businesses to reopen on Thursday, 3 December 2020.

England: further guidance on massage treatments

The NHBF has agreed a statement with the BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and BIG (Beauty Industry Group) members which includes the following:

Massage treatments must be only be completed for genuine health or medical needs. We would highly recommend that treatments are only completed in a clinical or medical environment. Personal Care (close contact services) treatments are at level 3 beauty and not clinical or medical.

Therapists working alongside statutory regulated health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, are able to continue to provide therapy services in clinics or medical settings (eg in hospitals and hospices), where the therapy service is part of the overall healthcare plan for patients.

Therapists who rent a room in clinics or medical settings alongside osteopaths, physiotherapists and other statutory regulated health professionals, who refer clients to them for medical reasons, will be able to continue treating these clients.

Therapists who receive direct referrals from a statutory regulated health professional will be able to continue providing their therapy service.

If you are not sure if your premises are classed as a clinic or medical environment, please check with your local health authority.

See all updates