Irish Hairdressers Federation draw up plans to bid for earlier opening

The Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) has drawn up plans to present new recommendations to the Government in an attempt to open hair salons next month as opposed to the current recommended date, July 20.

The IHF said the recommendations cover important areas of the day-to-day running of salons and will allow them to reopen in a way that is safe for both staff and customers.

The incoming president of the Irish Hairdressers Federation, Danielle Kennedy, said their main focus is the wellbeing of staff and the safety of customers.

She said; "The recommendations will radically change how we do our business, which will see the extensive use of PPE and sanitisation procedures.

"I have been talking to hundreds of hairdressers in the past few weeks and they can’t wait to get back to work because they love their job and they love their customers.

"Our customers come in, they talk with the staff, find out the local news and they all go home feeling great.

"It’s a vital local service, especially for the elderly."

According to the Government’s Roadmap, hairdressers will be allowed to open in Phase 4 because they aren’t deemed an essential service.

Hairdressers are beginning to reopen across Europe with safety measures in place in countries including Spain and Germany.