With the growing concern of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, here are some helpful tips to keep your salon’s team and clients safe.
Clean and Disinfect
Increasing your salon’s cleaning practices is crucial, including regularly disinfecting tables, chairs, armrests, door knobs, counters, etc. It’s important to make sure you’re using disinfectant wipes and sprays to safely clean and disinfect your salon, and professional-grade products for tools (including scissors, brushes, combs, nail files, etc.) after each use/service.
Consider providing health and safety training and resources for your staff to ensure they are following the correct steps. See recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization.
Hand-Washing
It’s recommended to wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds (or the equivalent of singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). To have some fun with it, encourage your staff to customize their hand-washing routines to their favourite songs. Encourage your staff to wash their hands every 30 minutes or after each client.
For an added layer of protection, provide hand sanitizer stations throughout your salon, including in heavy-traffic areas, such as the entrance and front desk.
Stay Home
Ask any staff members and clients to stay at home if they are feeling sick or have recently travelled. Symptoms can vary from a fever and cough to difficulty breathing. Refer to the Self-Assessment tools available from your province’s Ministry of Health and provide them to anyone who may be experiencing symptoms.
Also, consider waiving any cancellation fees during this time to further encourage clients, who may be feeling unwell, to stay at home and not jeopardize the health and safety of your team or other clients.
Practice Social Distancing
Though the “Long-Distance Haircut” may not be a realistic option for your salon, minimizing contact with others is recommended. This can include avoiding unnecessary contact (such as handshakes), limiting payment options to exclude cash, or using disposable cups for beverages served in the salon.
For added safety, consider wearing gloves. It’s also recommended to keep a distance of three- to six-feet whenever possible. For example, spacing clients apart at different stations and asking your colleagues to practice social distancing when working in the salon.
Modify Business Hours
Since closing your salon for two weeks (or more) is far from ideal, consider changing your business hours. For example, opening later and closing earlier to limit the traffic in your salon. Also, try booking clients at different times to limit the number of people in your salon, especially during peak hours.
Just remember, it’s important to keep clients informed of any changes by posting online, sending an email or making phone calls to make this a smooth and easy transition for everyone.
Photo: GettyStock
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