HELENSBURGH’S hairdressers now have permission to open again after lockdown, and beauty salons will follow suit soon as Scotland’s lockdown limits are eased further.
And the owner of one Helensburgh salon has spoken to the Advertiser about the measures they’re taking to help guard against a Covid-19 resurgence ahead of their own opening day next week.
LaRouge Hair & Beauty Lounge in West Clyde Street was forced to shut, alongside every other non-essential shop across the country, in March as the coronavirus pandemic swept the normality of our lives away.
But as she prepares to open the doors of the salon this week, owner Lynsey Robertson has been reflecting on what will be four full months of enforced inactivity – and the measures she and her staff have had to take to comply with the ‘new normal’ for the sector.
Lynsey told the Advertiser: “We finished for the day on Saturday, March 18 and as much as we all said ‘see you next week!’, I knew that was our last day for a while and I was absolutely heartbroken. .
“We are super excited for Wednesday as it’s been such a long time for us all.”
One of the most important measures in suppressing the virus numbers in Scotland hse been social distancing, and LaRouge will be taking the Scottish Government’s safety guidelines for shops re-opening very seriously from next week.
“Myself and my girls have all gained certification in a specialised health, safety and hygiene Covid-19 course,” Lynsey continued, “and also a barbicide course for infection control.
“Within the salon we have had to take away a nail position for social distancing, and we will all be wearing visors and masks throughout appointments.
“We’ve also spaced our appointments out more to give us time between every client to completely clean and sanitise everything, however this was always done as we take great pride in our cleanliness and hygiene measures.
“There will be no walk-ins and we have hand sanitise stations throughout the salon.”
READ MORE: 'Destination Helensburgh' – new information hub for town to open later this year
Some forms of beauty therapy will not be on the cards for re-opening, with Lynsey disappointed that facial treatments won’t be allowed for the time being.
“This was such a massive blow for us as so much revenue comes from these treatments,” she said.
“I’m hoping we get the go ahead very soon as we can’t operate fully only providing these treatments – we wouldn’t generate enough to keep us all in a job.”
READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news stories from around Helensburgh and Lomond here
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