Beauty salons, barbershops allowed to reopen at 30% capacity in GCQ areas on June 7 – DTI chief
Published May 30, 2020 10:23:58 AM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 30) — You will soon be able to get your long overdue haircut.
The task force leading the country’s coronavirus pandemic response has approved the reopening of salons and barbershops at 30-percent capacity in areas under general community quarantine beginning June 7, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez confirmed Saturday.
Metro Manila will transition to general community (GCQ) on June 1 to June 15 after two months of under enhanced community quarantine, a more stringent form of restriction. The regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, the provinces of Albay and Pangasinan and Davao City will also be under GCQ, while the rest of the country will be under modified GCQ, the lowest form quarantine.
A week before the announcement, authorities checked the readiness of establishments to implement health protocols to protect clients and staff once they reopen under less stringent rules.
On Friday, Lopez noted that salons and barbershops appear to be more “advanced” in their safety preparations, with some establishments proposed full protective gear for hair stylists to limit contact.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) drew up comprehensive guidelines that these establishments have to follow, a copy of which was posted on its Facebook page.
Contactless appointments and payments are encouraged. DTI said personnel could set aside trays where customers could drop their payment.
Companions are not allowed inside the premises unless ‘absolutely necessary.’
These businesses have to enforce the wearing of face masks, follow the one-meter physical distance rule, sanitize their work stations and tools before and after each haircut or other personal care service, place disinfection mats in entrances, put visible floor markers, cover pieces of furniture with plastic and use disposable reading materials and magazines.
Employees must also be free of COVID-19 symptoms and have no exposure to patients with the viral disease being allowed to come to work.
They are prohibited from wearing jewelry, observe proper waste disposal and wear personal protective equipment.
