1 in 4 salons have closed temporarily due to test and trace notifications

The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has revealed the impact of Test and Trace on the hair and beauty profession, with 1 in 4 salons having to close temporarily. A poll by the NHBF shows that that one in four of 2,500 hair and beauty business have had to temporarily close due to Test and Trace notifications requesting self-isolation. As a result, the NHBF are calling on the government for more financial help.

How is Test and Trace affecting hair salons?

The poll, which was conducted on Instagram during the first week of July, recorded the following key findings, due to staff having to self-isolate or caring for others having to self-isolate:

• Almost 25% of salons had to close them temporarily
• About 30% of salons faced staff shortage issues in the last month
• About 83% of salons had few to several cancellations every week

Richard Lambert, chief executive of the NHBF said: “As it stands businesses get no financial aid for ‘doing the right thing’ by closing, and so we are calling on government to provide this support to save these salons from going out of business.” He added: “The likelihood of being ‘pinged’ by test and trace is also likely to increase from 19 July until the rules change on 16 August and then that still only applies to those who have been doubly vaccinated. We need a confirmed timetable for when the trial system of daily testing for five days (and being able to go out as normal for each day your test is negative) will be introduced. Our industry primarily employs those aged 16-44 so that includes a huge number who are not yet double vaccinated and are unlikely to be for several months.” According to the government's roadmap, on 16 August the rules on self-isolating as a contact will change for people who are fully vaccinated and for under 18s. Those not fully vaccinated will still need to isolate if they are contacts, and everyone will still have to isolate if they test positive, to protect themselves and others.