Beauty and nail salon operators can begin treatments from June 1 under strict COVID-safe guidelines.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this is another important step in easing restrictions while maintaining public safety.
“Whilst this is positive news, the key is introducing practices to protect the safety of both customers and beauticians,” Ms Berejiklian.
“It is vital staff and clients of beauty and nail salons abide by the one person per 4 square metres rule with no more than 10 clients at any one time.”
NSW Health has compiled a checklist for the industry. Businesses must develop a safety plan that addresses how to minimise risk from COVID-19.
Safety plans will include measures such as:
- One person per 4 square metres including both staff and clients, up to a maximum of 10 clients at any one time;
- Exclusion of staff and clients who are unwell, even if they have only mild symptoms;
- Records of attendance on the business premises for all staff, clients and contractors;
- Cleaning requirements;
- Removal of books, magazines and iPads from waiting areas to reduce the potential for infection of clients;
- Seating in waiting areas that complies with physical distancing;
- Ensure good hand hygiene facilities are available, including at venue entry and exit, and promote excellent hand hygiene by staff;
- Clearly displayed conditions of entry on their entrance, website and social media platforms;
- Designating a staff member whose responsibilities include ensuring staff and clients have appropriate physical distancing and that the venue does not exceed the maximum capacity limit and;
- Measures to maximise distancing between staff where safe and practical, including assigning staff to specific work stations that are at least 1.5 metres apart and minimising any interaction between these stations;
- Encourage download of the COVID-safe app.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said clients must not attend salons if they are unwell even with the mildest of symptoms.
“NSW has worked hard to flatten the curve but as restrictions ease we need to ensure the good work continues to keep our community safe,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The elderly and people with underlying health issues should be particularly cautious when and if visiting salons.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it was important beauty therapists and nail salons follow their safety plan, as these are environments where close contact will happen.
“All businesses must have a COVID-19 safety plan and take precautions to protect the health of their staff and their clients,” Dr Chant said.
Businesses covered include beauty, nail, waxing and tanning salons. Once beauty salons are open, any services that normally and legally take place in a beauty salon will be able to be undertaken. Any existing rules and regulations will continue to apply.