"Our clients have always felt and will continue to feel safe within our professional working environment."

The Irish Hairdressers Federation has published a set of guidelines in the hope of reopening early. Under the government's current roadmap for reopening Ireland's economy, hairdressers and barbers are permitted to return to work in Phase Four. The IHF has shared a set of guidelines for safe and appropriate services they hope will allow them to reopen in Phase Three instead. The document describes the steps that hair salons and barber shops should take in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 upon reopening. These include the use of PPE for stylists and customers, Covid-19 training for staff, customer screenings during bookings, and the complete sanitation of work areas after each customer. No reading material will be permitted and stylists should carry out consultations from behind the client. Sanitation stations should be available at every entry and exit point. The document, comprised of over 100 recommendations, also details information on dealing with a suspected case of Covid-19 in the workplace, employee responsibility, and details on how a customer should enter a salon or barbershop. "As an industry, we have always practiced dutiful care in the delivery of our services to our clients in a professional, efficient, hygienic and sanitary manner," said the IHF. "As professionals and indeed as citizens, we understand the importance of preventing the spread of Covid-19, in how we operate our environment and in how we deliver our services. "Our clients have always felt and will continue to feel safe within our professional working environment. As an industry we will achieve this by layering the guidance outlined in this document with issued Public Health Advice, on top of our already robust operational protocols." You can access the Irish Hairdresser Federations full list of guidelines here.