Coronavirus: Hair & beauty businesses likely to remain closed until at least July

Following Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s, address to the nation on Sunday 10 May, it is likely that hair and beauty businesses will remain closed until at least July due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Small changes to the nation’s freedom of movement were announced, including abolishing the one hour per day exercise rule and allowing some people to return to work, however the PM has been criticised for a ‘confusing and vague’ phasing out process.

Under the government’s three-phase plan to ease lockdown in the UK and prevent further damage to the economy, Johnson revealed that those who can’t work from home can return to work from Wednesday 13 May – but this alluded to workers in the likes of the manufacturing and building trades that can continue to adhere to the rules of social distancing while working.

If there is enough positive progress in the coming weeks, the Prime Minister revealed that the second phase of the plan – to open a number of shops – could begin from 1 June at the earliest.

The third phase will see the likes of contact-heavy businesses reopen – such as pubs, restaurants and hair and beauty salons.

“From 4 July at the earliest, we’ll look at other sectors,” commented foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, in an interview with Sky News. “That will include hospitality, but it will also include personal care and people like hairdressers.”

A list of who is being asked to go back to work from Wednesday will be published later today (11 May), and the government will also be revealing a 50-page document on its strategy.