Coronavirus: Hairdressers warned not to flout restrictions ahead of lockdown easing
Some customers say they have been offered appointments for next week in the run-up to Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday.
Friday 8 May 2020 00:50, UK
Hairdressers across the UK have been warned not to offer home visits.
Salons have been closed since the government shutdown on 23 March, but some mobile stylists are still advertising home visits online.
A number of customers say they have been offered appointments for next week in anticipation of Boris Johnson's revision of Britain's coronavirus restrictions on Sunday.
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has warned hairdressers and barbers that they should not be operating under any circumstances until the government gives them the green light.
In a letter to members urging them not to flout restrictions, the NHBF said: "This would be against the government's strict social distancing instructions which say you must stay at home apart from essential travel.
"We need to do all we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Also - please bear in mind that your insurance will probably not cover you if you normally work in a salon or barbershop."
It also advised against stylists delivering hair dye to customers' homes, even if social distancing is maintained, because users could have an allergic reaction or complain of poor results.
Chief executive Hilary Hall told Sky News: "Following the announcement of government lockdown rules, a lot of our members were inundated with requests from clients to deliver at-home services, which we have strongly advised against.
"We are working with the government to determine the best way that salons and barbershops can re-open safely.
"Although we are hearing about discussions within government to start to ease lockdown measures, we are still urging our industry to stay safe and follow the rules."
But many freelance hairdressers are still advertising mobile services on Gumtree, Facebook and Instagram.
One trainee hairdresser is offering free cuts on Gumtree in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
The adverts reads: "Mobile hairdresser in the north east. Doing free lockdown cuts to help with the current situation also to help me gain my NVQ level 3."
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The NHBF said its members have been bombarded with requests for "lockdown cuts" from clients pleading with stylists to break restrictions.
A woman from Kew in west London wrote on Twitter: "Really really promising news; my hairdresser has given me an appointment for next Tuesday as lockdown might allow hairdressers to work. So very excited!!"
One mobile hairdresser told Sky News she is booking customers in from 26 May in anticipation of the prime minister's announcement this weekend.
The mother of one, who works from home in Buckinghamshire, says she has already had to book and cancel a wave of appointments twice after mixed messages from the government.
She said: "I am hoping to be back at work by 26 May, but when I can work again I am really changing from what I normally do."
In Ireland, hairdressers are being offered up to four times the usual price for a haircut, with treatments that usually cost between €40 and €50 seen for €200 (£174) on the black market, reports RTE.
Salons in Ireland will not re-open until 20 July, according to the government's roadmap for easing restrictions.