[Updated] Face coverings: The rules for nail & beauty pros & clients

There has been confusion within the nail industry as to the face coverings beauty professionals are required to wear during a treatment, and what should be asked of the client. While the below are guidelines from government, we encourage you to make your own decisions on top of such guidelines, based on your risk assessments and safety ethos.

Face visors pictured as part of government guidelines document

The UK  guidelines for safe working in salons (last updated 9 July 2020) state:

“Where two-metre social distancing cannot be maintained, for example when providing a treatment, the person providing the service should wear further protection in addition to any that they may usually wear. This should be a clear visor that covers the face, or the use of a screen or other barrier that protects the practitioner and the customer from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking.”

The visor provides a barrier between the wearer and the client from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking. Both disposable and re-usable visors are available: a re-usable visor must be cleaned and sanitised regularly.

The visor must fit the user and be worn properly, and a screen may be used by practitioners working with clients’ hands.

As of 28 July, the government guidelines about face coverings for England state that you should strongly encourage clients to wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces such as salons and barbershops where social distancing may be difficult and where clients come into contact with people that they do not normally meet.

• In Scotland, face coverings must be worn by staff and clients. Visors are recommended for staff, but face coverings are mandatory.

• In Wales, face coverings are optional. Staff should wear a visor.

• Northern Ireland is following the England guidelines.

Click here to see the checklist for salons created by the Scottish government.

For more information, read the UK government guidelines in full for keeping workers and clients safe during Covid-19 in close contact services here.

Nail and beauty businesses were able to re-open from Monday 13 July in England with restrictions in place banning any treatments to be carried out in the ‘high-risk zone’, which is the area directly in front of the face. These ‘close contact services’ will be able to fully re-open in England from Saturday 1 August. All businesses must operate in a Covid-secure way. Scottish salons were allowed to open from 22 July.