[updated] when will hair salons reopen in england, scotland, wales and northern ireland?

Hair salons and barbershops in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being given different provisional reopen dates as each devolved government in the UK is working to a different easing lockdown timetable. Here, HJ outlines the reopening dates that have been announced so far throughout the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and will continue to share information as and when it becomes available.

When will hair salons reopen in England?

England is following the three-phase lockdown easing plan that was set out by UK Prime Minsiter Boris Johnson in May. Hair salons and barbershops sit in phase 3 of the lockdown easing plan. On Tuesday 23 June 2020 Boris Johnson made a statement confirming the easing of lockdown measures in England from 4 July. As part of this easing of lockdown, hair salons and barbershops will be able to reopen alongside pubs and restaurants from Saturday 4 July.  Boris Johnson said: “We will reopen hairdressers with appropriate precautions, including the use of visors from Saturday 4 July.” He also explained: “Given the significant fall in the prevalence of the virus – we can reduce social distancing from 2m to 1m from 4 July." He is encouraging the population to follow a '1m+ social distancing' stance from 4 July.

When will hair salons reopen in Scotland?

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled Scotland's lockdown easing plan with strict measures beginning to be relaxed as part of a four-phase "route map". Scotland is currently in phase 2 of the plan and from 29 June most shops will be able to reopen. Hairdressers and barbershops will not be allowed to reopen until the plan reaches phase 3 (the virus suppressed phase). There isn't currently a date for when this phase will take place, however it is expected that this will be no earlier than 9 July.

When will hair salons reopen in Wales?

On Friday 19 June Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford set out the Welsh Government's plans for restarting the Welsh economy after lockdown. Hair salons, barbershops and beauty salons will have to wait until the next comprehensive review on 9 July to know when they can reopen. It is understood that range of options for restarting personal care services on an appointment-only basis will be discussed and will likely take effect from Monday 13 July. The Welsh First Minister said: "Hairdressers should use the next three weeks to make preparations to resume services by appointment-only with all the necessary safeguarding in place."

When will hair salons reopen in Northern Ireland?

On Thursday 18 June, Northern Ireland’s ministers announced that if the community transmission rate remains low, hairdressers and barbers working in Northern Ireland will be permitted to open from 6 July. “This is a positive development for the [Northern Ireland] economy as well as the wider wellbeing of the population,” explained Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill. She added: “Those businesses should use this time to prepare for safe reopening as well as using this time to implement all necessary protective measures.” NHBF’s chief executive Hilary Hall told HJ exclusively: “It’s good news that in Northern Ireland salons and barbershops now have a date of 6 July to aim for, although all dates are subject to review depending on how effectively the coronavirus is contained."

When will hair salons reopen in the Republic of Ireland?

Hair salons, barbershops and beauty salons in the Republic of Ireland will open on 29th June. The Republic of Ireland announced on Friday 19th June: "We're moving to phase 3 on Monday 29th June. I'm making this announcement today to give people time to prepare so the places can be ready to reopen. For example, churches and places of worship, gyms and leisure facilities and yes – hairdressers, beauticians and barbershops."

Industry guidelines for hair salons to reopen in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The entire UK hair salon and barbershop industry is still waiting to receive official UK Government guidelines on how to prepare to reopen safely. HJ has started a petition with over 9,000 signatures asking the UK Government to issue guidance as soon as possible. Click here for more information and to sign the petition.  In the meantime, a number of UK hairdressing and barbering industry organisations have compiled unofficial reopening resource guides for hair salons and barbershops to start preparing for the reopening dates in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Click here for HJ's comprehensive article on the resource guides and guidelines that are available so far.