Face treatments allowed in England from 15th Aug

Treatments on the face area and in close contact will be permitted in salons and by mobile therapists in England from tomorrow (15th August), it has been announced.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that plans to open up more of the economy this weekend "will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed".

Treatments that are now permitted includes facials, eyebrow treatments, last treatments, and microdermabrasion amongst others.

New government guidance will also mean that all staff offering close contact services, including hairdressers, will have to wear a Type II face mask as well as a clear visor from 15th August. The government said the move, which follows new evidence from the scientific advisory group for emergencies (Sage) is aimed at protecting customers and staff from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing, or speaking when working for a period of time in close proximity to a person's face, mouth and nose. This also applies to businesses that operate remotely, such as massage therapists working in people's homes, and those learning in vocational training environments.

Type II face masks are medical face masks with a protective three-ply construction that prevents large particles from reaching the client or working surfaces.

The government commented:

“In workplaces such as hairdressers and barbers, spas, beauty salons and tattoo and photoshoot studios, it is likely to be difficult to maintain social distancing, as employees need to work in close proximity to their clients, usually for an extended period of time. An extended period of time refers to the majority of the working day, irrespective of the number of clients served during the day.”

As a reminder, as of 8th August clients must be wearing a face covering or mask when visiting nail, beauty and hair salons, barbers, massage parlours, tattoo and piercing parlours. Face coverings must stay in place unless essential for a particular treatment, for example, for a treatment on the face area covered by the mask.

The new guidelines will not apply to areas where local lockdown measures have been put in place.

Read the UK government's latest guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in close contact services.