[updated] the roadmap for reopening hair salons across the uk

On 22 February UK prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled his roadmap for reopening England, which included when hair salons can reopen following the COVID-19 lockdown. While, Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon made a statement on 23 February about Scotland's roadmap to reopening, which included when hair salons can reopen in Scotland. Hairdressers and barbers in Wales will re-open for appointments from Monday 15 March in Wales. Northern Ireland are waiting for further reviews on 18 March respectively with more information below.

What does the roadmap for reopening mean for the whole of the UK?

Boris Johnson said during his statement to the House of Commons about England's reopening on 23 February: “Today’s measures will apply in England but we are working closely with the devolved nations on similar plans. We are able to take these steps because of the resolve of the British public and the extraordinary success of the NHS. The data so far shows the vaccine is effective against the most prominent variants of COVID-19.” He added: “We’re hoping this is a one-way road to freedom, made possible by the vaccine programme.”

What does the roadmap for reopening mean for hair salons in England?

Boris Johnson has revealed that hairdressing salons and nail salons, along with other non-essential retail will be able to reopen from 12 April as long as four conditions, which are listed below are met. He said: "People will finally be able to get a haircut!"

What is the roadmap for reopening in England?

There will be four conditions that will need to be met at each phase of lockdown easing in England with five weeks apart. The roadmap to reopening will start from 8 March and the conditions to be followed for each step of reopening are:

• The COVID-19 vaccine programme going to plan.
• The vaccines sufficiently reducing the number of people dying from the virus or needing hospital treatment.
• Infection rates not leading to a surge in hospital admissions.
• New variants of the virus not fundamentally changing the risk of lifting restrictions.

Boris concluded his statement by explaining next month the government will publish a plan for dealing with local outbreak and variants of concern. He ended his statement by saying "it is important to be cautious, and humble in the face of the virus. But the end is in sight." Click here for information on the latest financial help available for the hairdressing industry.  Click here for more information on how you can get involved with the Save Our Salons Campaign to encourage the UK Government to cut VAT from 20% to 5% for hairdressing businesses.  From 8 March – schools reopen for all children and care home residents can have one visitor The main focus for the UK Government is to reopen schools in England as planned on Monday 8 March. This means all schools will open with outdoor after-school sports and activities being allowed as well. Two people will also be allowed to socialise in a public space such as a park from this date, which means they can have a coffee, drink or picnic. For those living in a care home, the 8 March will mark the date when a care home resident in England can have one regular visitor and they can hold hands with them. From 29 March – outdoor gatherings for six people or two households From 29 March, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed, including in people’s private gardens. Outdoor sports facilities will resume as well as organised adult and children’s sport. This will also be the date that people will be able to travel outside of their local area. However, it is expected that guidance will likely still recommend staying local and overnight stays will not be permitted. People should continue to work from home when they can and minimise travel when they can. From 12 April – Hair salons can reopen  Boris Johnson has revealed that hairdressing salons and nail salons, along with other non-essential retail can reopen from 12 April. Pubs and restaurants will also begin to open for outdoor service. There will be no curfew, and no requirement for people to order a substantial meal. Zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas will open, as will public libraries and community centres. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 15 people. From 17 May – more restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted  Most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted by 17 May and pubs and restaurants will open for indoor service. Cinemas, play areas, hotels, and theatres will also be open and larger events will be allowed, subject to enhanced testing. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 30 people. From 21 June – Weddings can reopen with no restrictions  The wedding industry, which affects a number of hairdressers will be able to reopen without any restrictions from 21 June. At this point all limits on social contacts should be lifted and Boris added that large events like weddings should be able to go ahead.

What does the roadmap for reopening mean for hair salons in Scotland?

On Tuesday 16 March Nicola Sturgeon announced in a statement that hair salons and barbershops with a shopfront will be allowed to reopen on Monday 5 April. Mobile hairdressers and barbers who work in people's homes or outside of a salon setting will be able to resume work from Monday 26 April. 

What is the roadmap for reopening in Scotland?

What does the roadmap for reopening look like for hair salons in Wales?

From Monday 15 March - hairdressers and barbers will be able to resume work. From 22 March - shops that are already open will be able to sell the full range of goods and provided numbers continue to improve. On 29th March -  self-contained accommodation reopen so people in Wales will be able to go to a caravan and have a few days away. On reopening hair and barbering businesses must follow the Welsh Government’s updated guidance which is available at https://gov.wales/covid-19-alert-levels and as previously, are legally required to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment.

What does the roadmap for reopening mean for hair salons in Northern Ireland?

Similarly, in Northern Ireland, first minister Arlene Phillips has said the lockdown restrictions will be in place until 1 April with restrictions not being reviewed until 18 March. We will update this article as more information becomes available. Click here for more information on Coronavirus.