Hairdressers and barbers should reopen early, recommends NPHET

By Holly O'Neill
19th Jun 2020

Hairdressers and barbers should reopen early, recommends NPHET

An announcement is expected from the Government this evening on the early reopening of hairdressers and barbers in Phase 3

The Cabinet will meet this afternoon to discuss recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Phase 3 of the easing of coronavirus restrictions. Phase 3 is scheduled for 29 June and it is expected that the reopening of hairdressers and barbers will be brought forward to this phase.

The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan and his team met yesterday to advise the government on what should be in Phase Three and Phase Four of the roadmap for easing the lockdown.

Government sources had said they have recommended that the date at which hairdressers can reopen, which is currently set for 20 July, will be moved forward. It has been confirmed that there be no longer be five phases but four, so some measures are being fast-tracked.

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NPHET’s recommendation comes after the Irish Hairdressers Federation published guidelines with over 100 specific recommendations within the document to safeguard staff and customers, indicating hair salons could reopen and operate safely in Phase Three.

Ireland’s most Googled question during the early stages of lockdown was “when will the hairdressers reopen.”

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The Cabinet meets later today and it is believed the possibility of restrictions around theatres, cinemas, gyms, contact sports and larger social gatherings being lifted early will also be discussed. An announcement is expected from the Government this evening.

Photography by Ran Berkovich on Unsplash.