5 August 2020

This update covers:

  • England: face coverings mandatory for clients from 8 August – with exemptions.
  • England: updated Test and Trace Guidance.
  • Job retention scheme: latest information.
  • New risk assessment tool for Scotland.
  • £40 million employment and training support in Wales.

England: face coverings mandatory for clients from 8 August – with exemptions 

From 8 August 2020, members of the public must wear a face covering in nail bars, hair and beauty salons and barbershops. If necessary, the client can remove their face mask for a treatment to be carried out. (But note that treatments on the face are not allowed in England until at least 15 August 2020.) 

Exemptions include:

  • Children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommend face coverings for children under three).
  • 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 asked to do so by people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound.   

England: updated Test and Trace Guidance 

The government has updated its advice for England on what to do if there is an outbreak of coronavirus in your salon or barbershop. The guidance says: 

You may be informed of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by NHS Test & Trace, an employee, customer or your local Public Health England Health Protection Team (PHE HPT). When you are informed of more than one confirmed case, contact your local health protection team.

 You can find your local health protection team by entering your post code on this page of the government's website. 

Download an Action Card from the government's website. This provides a step-by-step guide for salons and barbershops on how to manage an outbreak. Find out more about outbreak management and how the Action Cards can help. 

Read our blog post about the NHS Test and Trace service. 

Job retention scheme: latest information 

The government has published further information about its plans to pay £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is still employed on 31 January 2021 and earning at least £520 a month. Details about how to claim will be published in September. Claims can be made from February 2021. Find out more. 

New risk assessment tool for Scotland 

Scotland has provided a new tool to calculate coronavirus risks for employees in the workplace. Find out more on the Scottish Government website.

£40 million employment and training support in Wales 

A New £40 million fund to support employment and training in Wales has been announced. There are plans to boost apprenticeships, training, self-employment, reskilling and upskilling. More details will be published shortly. 

See all updates