Award-winning stylist from Wiltshire urges government to lift salon restrictions NOW
She claims the beauty industry has proven it can operate COVID-safe
Last updated 23rd Feb 2021
An award-winning stylist from our region has called-on the government to allow salons to re-open now.
On Tuesday 22 February, Boris Johnson unveiled his 'Roadmap' out of lockdown, indicating when residents can expect the lifting of restrictions.
As things stand, the plan will see England's 'personal care' facilities permitted to open their doors again on 12 April - at the earliest. This includes salons, barbers and nail bars.
However, for restrictions to be eased, the government has stressed that criteria around COVID vaccine rates, infection levels and new variants must be met.
'I don't see the difference between being able to open last year, to now'
Lauren, a Swindon hairdresser who's received national recognition for her work, says the date for her industry should be reconsidered.
"It is quite upsetting that we can't open until April, because we were able to open safely in between the last lockdowns," she told Greatest Hits Radio.
"Providing that we do have the right PPE in place for our staff, the correct safety procedures for our clients, the right amount of people within one space on the salon floor, I don't see the problem with doing that (opening) again - as we did before.
"I don't quite see the difference between being able to do it (open) last year, to now".
You can hear more from the stylist below:
'We think it's a sensible approach'
During his 'Roadmap' announcement, the Prime Minister said: "It's so important to proceed in the cautious way that we are.
"Some people will say we are going to be going too fast, some people will say we're going too slow.
"I think the balance is right ... you're adding all the time to the budget of risk and you need time to observe the impact of that. So we think it's a sensible approach, it's a prudent approach".