This is why Doncaster beauty salons think they should be allowed to re-open

Beauty salons across Doncaster are urging the Government to let them re-open.
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Beauty salons and nail bars were left out of the list released by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this month which gave the go-ahead for hairdressers to re-open.

Ministers say it was because they involve people sitting face to face, so they would remain shut for the present time.

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Hair salons and beauty salons have been working together in Doncaster during lockdown by sharing advice on a shared social media group made up of hundreds of local members of both sectors, who felt they worked in similar industries.

Michelle Brookes is urging the Government to let Doncaster beauty salons re-openMichelle Brookes is urging the Government to let Doncaster beauty salons re-open
Michelle Brookes is urging the Government to let Doncaster beauty salons re-open

Michelle Brookes is a member of the group, Doncaster Salons - Helping each other, and says beauty salons and nail bars had already been preparing for re-opening.

Michelle usually employs four members of staff at The Beauty Lounge, in Armthorpe. They are currently furloughed, while she is getting by on a business grant from Doncaster Council, which she says will not last forever. Like many others in the group, her business consists of work including nail treatment, beauty therapy, waxing, skin treatment and eyelash work.

She said: ”Personally I feel like they have singled out beauty salons. We have been in the same category of business as hair salons all along.

Salons have put screens in place and reduced the number of nail desks. PIcture: Michelle BrookesSalons have put screens in place and reduced the number of nail desks. PIcture: Michelle Brookes
Salons have put screens in place and reduced the number of nail desks. PIcture: Michelle Brookes
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“Things like waxing and pedicures you can do further away, and if you have personal protective equipment and visors, and masks worn by both people, you can reduce the chance of transmission.

“I can understand that hairdressers are facing the opposite direction, but we feel beauty should be opening at the same time.”

She said salons had been keeping in touch with customers on social media.

She has arranged for socially distanced nail desks, reducing the number operating in her shop. She has brought in an air purification system and extractors to reduce dust. Soft furnishings have been removed.

Our Support Local campaign aims to help Doncaster businesses post-lockdownOur Support Local campaign aims to help Doncaster businesses post-lockdown
Our Support Local campaign aims to help Doncaster businesses post-lockdown
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“We feel like we’ve been forgotten about. Salons are naturally clean and sterile places by the nature of the businesses," said Michelle.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament on Tuesday that the Government's public health experts will work with sectors which remain closed, to help them become "Covid secure" and open "as soon as possible".

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