Beauticians, barbers reopen amid protection call

As scores of beauty professionals reopened for business after a five-week COVID-19 lockdown, their association’s spokeswoman on Monday urged the industry’s members to follow the virus protection protocols.

Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Beauty Professionals Association (BBPA) Ta-Shasher Mayers said that while barbers, hairdressers, and other beauty professionals are excited to work again, they must ensure that at all times they wear their masks and other protective gear, sanitize their establishments and do not allow clients if they are unmasked.

She said that while members of the industry are struggling to overcome the significant blow of two national shutdowns in the space of a year due to the ongoing pandemic, all must understand that health and safety are paramount at this time.

She said in the best interest of all involved, beauty professionals should also ensure that they keep additional masks at their establishments in case of emergencies.

Mayers said: “You can’t bring a guest with you and these are conversations you need to have with your clients. We are not operating like before where you can come and bring a family friend. It is just you alone because we are trying to avoid contact.

“Make sure you give yourself enough time before each client so you can clean your chairs. If you are a barber or a stylist sanitize your desk, your pedicure basin. Whatever you are doing, you have to allow yourself enough time so that when you finish your client, you want to give yourself at least 15 minutes to really clean your utensils, clean the arms of the chairs, and you should be changing your cape after each client.”

The BBPA Public Relations Officer also asked beauticians not to overbook but leave room for flexibility.

She said the beauty industry must face the reality that while prior to the COVID-19 they could have had many clients at their establishment getting different services done at the same time, things must now be done differently.

She said they should follow an appointment system and discourage walk-ins.

Mayers said: “Remember that the curfew is now at 9 p.m. So you have to make sure that when you book your appointments that you give yourself enough time to clean before you leave so that when you come the next morning your establishment is already cleaned. And you still have to get home and make sure you get off the street by nine o’clock. I want to wish my fellow beauty professionals all the best and good health.” (AH)