Beauty salons to close again: what England's new lockdown rules mean for your appointments
Will beauty salons close in England?
Beauty salons across England have been forced to close under new lockdown rules after Boris Johnson won the vote for a national lockdown on Wednesday (Nov 4). Under the severe restrictions, announced in a press conference at Downing Street on Saturday, October 31st, the government announced the closure of all non-essential businesses, including hair and beauty salons.
The severe nationwide lockdown, which will surpass tier three restrictions, will begin on Thursday, November 5th, and is expected to last throughout the whole of November until December 2nd. After this date, it is expected that different parts of the country will adopt an exit strategy, and will continue to follow the restrictions from the existing tier system, depending on the severity of infection in the local area.
However, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove told Sky News on 1 November that lockdown might be extended beyond 2 December, but the Government will continue to review the data and follow the facts.
Under the pre-lockdown tier-system, hairdressers tier 3 were still allowed to remain open with the local authorities approval. Therefore, hair salons are likely to reopen after the new lockdown measures ease in early December.
Can mobile beauticians still work?
Under the tough lockdown measures, which will begin in England on Thursday, November 5th, all beauty salons will have to close. Latest lockdown rules force all non-essential retail and beauty services to close, and the mixing of households, except for childcare and other forms of support, are banned. This means that alongside the closure of salons, mobile beauticians will also have to stop work, until December 2nd, at least.
What happens if I have an appointment booked during lockdown?
If you have an appointment booked during lockdown, it will have to be cancelled. However, many beauty salons have already extended their opening hours from Sunday, November 1st to Wednesday, November 4th, to fit in extra appointments. It is advised to get in touch with your beautician to rearrange ahead of Thursday 5th.
What financial support will beauty salons get?
For businesses that can apply for furlough, the scheme is being extended throughout November with employees receiving 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to a maximum of £2,500. In addition, business premises forced to close in England are to receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
Also, £1.1bn is being given to Local Authorities, distributed on the basis of £20 per head, for one-off payments to enable them to support businesses more broadly.
"This is the second time round for a national lockdown, we at least have a taskforce in place, and direct connection with government as well as constant communications," Millie Kendall MBE, Chief Executive of the British Beauty Council tells the Telegraph.
"We didn't have that back in March. The Prime Minister's announcement mentions non-essential retail which personal care businesses fall under, and he mentioned an extension of furlough. I am not sure this is enough to sustain our businesses. The first task will be to ensure that our Personal Care businesses including salons, retail and mobiles are protected financially from further damage. This will be an ask for grants, and we will push for a longer term recovery plan and chopping the VAT is essential."
