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Can You Still Go To The Hairdresser Amid COVID-19 Concerns?

What's the deal with social distancing? - by Lauren Williamson
  • 03 Apr 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is having far reaching impacts on almost every facet of our lives from the way we work to who we socialise with. Despite comprehensive advice from health authorities, there are still some grey areas when it comes to what we can and can't do. 

One of these dilemmas is whether it's safe and sensible to go to the hairdresser while we're social distancing.

WATCH how to stop the spread of coronavirus...

First of all, what is social distancing?

Social distancing is when you reduce contact between yourself and other people.

Social distancing guidelines advise keeping 1.5 metres between yourself and other people where possible and avoiding gatherings. Doing this and practicing good personal hygiene are two of the best things we can do to help slow the spread of coronavirus, protecting the most vulnerable members of the community and reducing the pandemic's impact on the healthcare system. 

Social distancing is not the same as self isolation. Self isolation is essential if you have tested positive for COVID-19, you have been identified as a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection, or you have entered Australia from anywhere overseas. If you are self isolating you are required to stay on your property, indoors or in your back yard if you have one. You should not go to your hairdressing appointment if you are self isolating or if you feel unwell.

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So... can I still go to the hairdresser if I'm social distancing?

As of March 31, indoor and outdoor public gatherings will be limited to two persons only (with exceptions around household units, families, elopements and funerals). Australians are now strongly advised to stay home unless you are shopping for food or necessary supplies, medical or healthcare needs, exercise in compliance with public gathering requirements, work and study if you can't do so remotely.

This means you can no longer go to the hairdresser.

On Monday March 23 all non-essential services were closed and these include registered and licensed clubs, licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues and cinemas, casinos and nightclubs. Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway only. Indoor sporting venues (including gyms) and places of worship will close.

However, shopping centres and supermarkets were not subject to these restrictions and services such hairdressers can remain open. A new update on Wednesday March 25 stipulated that customers could only remain on the premises for 30 minutes. However, this was scrapped on Thursday morning given after push back from hairdressers and barbers.

Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth said the 30-minute rule had to be canned because it was impractical.

"It was very apparent that it was an impractical limitation," he said.

"I know my wife has never been to the hairdresser for less than 30 minutes and neither have I to be frank."

Social distancing is still advised and many establishments are reassuring clients that they're stepping up their already strict hygiene protocols.

Mark Rippon from the Hair and Beauty Industry Association (HBIP) told news.com.au that there's a strong focus on the safety of workers and clients.

“Salons are disinfecting all frequently touched objects and surfaces continuously throughout the day," he told the publication. “All staff are using alcohol-based hand sanitisers before and after treatments and have it on hands for customers too.”

Many hairdressers have also binned communal items like magazines and have started using gloves and masks. Some salons have also closed every second chair to ensure 1.5 metres between clients. However, Melbourne-based GP Preeya Alexander says it's still a dilemma for social distancing despite new restrictions.

"This is a tricky one," Melbourne-based GP Preeya Alexander says. "The first question is, can you maintain a 1.5 metre distance from everyone else?"

Imagine yourself getting a cut, colour or blow dry and the answer is probably not.

"Right now we in the medical community are heavily advocating for people not to mingle, to cancel non essential gatherings to 'flatten the curve' and stop COVID-19 from rapidly spreading," Dr Alexander explains.

"So, it’s a personal decision but staying away right now, avoiding others is key to stopping this virus from spreading." 

So the official verdict? No, you can no longer go to the hairdresser.

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Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

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