Posted June 9, 2020
In May, the National Cabinet agreed on a 3-stage framework for the gradual easing of restrictions on social movement and gatherings in response to the covid-19 pandemic. Each state and territory has its own timetable for the removal of restrictions based on the level, location and cause of infections.
Generally, hairdressing salons have been able to remain open throughout the lockdown period, if they followed strict guidelines such as a limit of one person per 4 square metres and increased hygiene requirements. There are additional requirements for salon owners to keep the contact information of clients in order to assist with contact tracing.
On the other hand, the beauty industry has been one that felt the impact of the restrictions the hardest. The Government has finally decided that these businesses can recommence operating under strict requirements.
Our article will focus on the operating requirements in each state and territory as restrictions are lifted.
The information contained in this article is based on information available at the time of writing (4 June).
Queensland
Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction
Effective from 12pm 1 June 2020.
HAIRDRESSING
- No more than one person (including staff) per 4 square meters;
- Must comply with COVID Safe Checklist to the extent that any beauty therapy or nail services are provided; and
- Social distancing observed to the extent possible.
- Must keep the contact information of all clients and staff for contact tracing for a period of at least 56 days before deleting the information – information includes a name, address and mobile number;
- Contact information must be provided to public health officers if requested; and
The information should be securely stored, not used for any other purpose and deleted after 56 days.
BEAUTY
From 1 June, can open and provide the following services:
- Beauty therapy (e.g. facials, makeup, waxing and laser treatments);
- Nail services;
- Cosmetic injections – only if provided by registered health practitioners;
- Personal appearance services where skin penetration is used – only if provided by registered health practitioners;
- Tanning;
- Day spas and wellness centres (excluding water-based spa services such as saunas and bathhouses)
- Massage therapy for the management and prevention of a disease, injury or condition provided by a qualified massage therapist.
Other requirements include:
- Compliance with the COVID Safe checklist;
- No more than 20 customers (not including staff) on the premises at a time;
- No more than one person (including staff) per 4 square metres; and
- Social distancing observed to the extent possible.
- Must keep contact information of all clients and staff for contact tracing for a period of at least 56 days before deleting the information – information includes a name, address and mobile number;
- Contact information must be provided to public health officers if requested; and
- The information should be securely stored, not used for any other purpose and deleted after 56 days.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*: Clause 11 in the Direction stipulates that the 4 square metre rule only applies to areas of the business that are open to or used by the public – therefore it does not include staff areas.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*: The COVID Safe checklist incorrectly states that the period for retaining client information is 28 days, rather than the 56 days. It is recommended that employers comply with the 56 days, as it is likely that the checklist has not been updated.
New South Wales
Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020
Effective 1 June 2020
HAIRDRESSING
- No more than one person (including staff) per 4 square metres – up to a maximum of 100 persons; and
- Social distancing observed to the extent possible.
BEAUTY
Nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons and tanning salons are able to operate with the following limitations:
- 10 customers and the staff members of the business OR 1 person per 4 square metres including staff, whichever is lesser;
- Social distancing observed to the extent possible; and
- Comply with COVID-19 Safety Plan
These limitations apply to any business premises, whether operating from a retail outlet or in a private home.
Spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours can only open for the retail sale of goods and gift vouchers. Only 1 person per 4 square metres including staff can be allowed on premises.
Victoria
Restricted Activity Directions (No 9)
Effective 1 June 2020
HAIRDRESSING
- Must request the first name and contact number of each person who receives a service at the premises (the customer does not have to provide it);
- If it is provided, keep a record of the details including the date and the time of service;
- The records of client details must be kept for a period of 28 days;
- Must not allow more than one person (including staff) per 4 square metres in a single undivided indoor space; and
- Social distancing observed to the extent possible.
BEAUTY
From 1 June, the following businesses providing personal care services can open:
- beauty therapy, spray tanning, waxing and nail salons
- spa and massage services providing relaxation massages as distinct from therapeutic or remedial massage (as these have remained open)
- tattoo and piercing services.
Beauty therapy and nail salons can operate with up to 20 customers allowed on the premises at any one time, subject to the 4 square metre rule.
The business will be required to keep a record of clients first names and contact numbers for contact tracing requirements and keep this information for a period of 28 days.
Further information is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
South Australia
Emergency Management (Public Activities) (COVID-19) Direction 2020
Effective 1 June 2020
HAIRDRESSING
Any person present must use their best endeavours to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from other people.
It is recommended that the 1 person per 4 square metres rule is followed.
There is no requirement for hairdressers to implement contact record-keeping or have a COVID Safe plan in place, but this is recommended.
BEAUTY
Personal care services (services at beauty salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours and other premises at which beauty therapy and tanning, waxing, piercing or body modification services are provided; wellness centres, day spas and massage parlours) may be provided if the service provider keeps contact tracing records for all clients.
The following requirements must be followed:
- The businesses mentioned above must have a COVID-Safe plan in place
- The business must make and keep records of customers/clients. These records must include the name of each person (unless the person refuses to provide their name), and phone number and email address (unless the person refuses to provide this information), along with the time and the date of their attendance. Contact tracing records must be presented at the request of an authorised officer. These records must only be used in the event that tracing of contacts needs to occur.
- The density requirement of 1 person per 4 square metres still applies for defined activities but any given room or enclosed area cannot have more than 20 people present. This number does not include employees working in the salon.
Download Contact Tracing Record Attendance at Public Activities
Tasmania
Direction under Section 16 (Gatherings – No 10)
Effective 29 May 2020
HAIRDRESSING
Hairdressers can continue to operate under these requirements:
- Where practicable, maintain 1.5 metres distance between people;
- Not allow more than one person (including staff) per 4 square metres of the space used in a single undivided indoor space;
- Not allow more than 10 persons in a single indoor space at the same time;
- Implement relevant COVID-19 control measures; and
- If provided, keep for 21 days, lawful records of customers and staff who enter the premises for the purpose of contact tracing. If a relevant officer requests this information, it should be provided
- A COVID Safety Plan must be in place before 15 June
Further guidance for permitted businesses is available.
BEAUTY
Until 15 June, the provision of beauty therapy and treatment, tanning, waxing, manicure and other nail treatments, tattoos, ear and body piercing, body modification and other similar services are prohibited.
From 15 June, subject to public health advice, these services may be provided for up to 20 people. Information about this is outlined in Tasmania’s Roadmap to Recovery.
A COVID Safety Plan must be in place before 15 June.
Northern Territory
Effective 22 May 2020
HAIRDRESSING
Hairdressers are able to operate without restriction but have a responsibility to apply the physical distancing principles contained in the Roadmap to the New Normal.
BEAUTY
Changes from 5 June 2020
From noon 5 June 2020, all services offered by beauty therapy, cosmetic services, massage and body art businesses (a personal services business, inclusive of facial care) in the Northern Territory will be able to operate without restrictions provided the operator has submitted a COVID-19 safety plan and put measures in place. Completion of the checklist and introduction of the measures is required before resuming operations from 5 June.
However, the Chief Health Officer (the CHO) may place further requirements on the reopening of personal services businesses. These requirements will be specified in the CHO directions (which have not yet been published).
Additionally, any business or organisation that continued to operate during the period of restrictions and all businesses previously restricted must complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist by 5 June.
Further information on the relevant checklists can be found here, and further information on physical distancing and hygiene requirements within the personal services industry can be found here.
See the Roadmap to the New Normal for more information.
- Before re-opening, beauty therapy and nail salons must Complete and submit a COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist;
- Place markings on the floor of the premises to indicate 1.5m spacing in areas where the public may queue; and
- Provide hand sanitiser on the premises if there are no handwashing facilities.
Australian Capital Territory
Effective 11:59pm on 29 May 2020
HAIRDRESSING
Hairdressers are able to operate under these requirements:
- Not allow more than 1 person (including staff) per 4 square metres;
- Not allow more than 20 people (including staff) to occupy an indoor space;
- Ask customers for first name and contact number (for contact tracing) and, if provided, keep a record of those details and the date and time of attendance for at least 28 days; and
- As far as practicable, apply the Risk Mitigation Guide (Attachment A of the Public Health Emergency Directions), specifically:
- Where possible, stay 1.5m apart;
- Hand hygiene products and waste receptacles should be available;
- Promote and prominently display near the shop entrance the recommendations for unwell individuals from the Commonwealth Department of Health
- Limit customer attendance to a duration of 2 hours;
- Where possible, avoid physical contact; and
- Regularly clean shared equipment and, if possible, avoid sharing equipment.
Other requirements include:
- Practising physical distancing of one person per 4 square metres or a maximum of 20 people in the salon (excluding staff), whichever is smaller – this factsheet provides more information about the 4 square metre rule;
- Ask all clients for their first name and phone number and keep a record of the information if it is provided, including the date and time the client attended, for at least 28 days;
- Practise good hygiene;
- Sharing of equipment is discouraged and any shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected between each use;
- Where possible, consider limiting the time on-premises to less than 2 hours, and close face-to-face work to 15 minutes.
Businesses are required to have COVID Safety Plan in place and may be asked to produce these plans upon request by an authorised officer.
Contact information must be kept about all clients and staff for contact tracing purposes. This information includes their name, address and mobile number and records must be kept for at least 28 days. If a public health officer requests this information, it must be provided.
More information is available via the ACT COVID-19 webpage.
BEAUTY
Beauty therapy businesses (including tanning, waxing and nail salons), spa and massage parlours and tattoo parlours can reopen.
This includes all personal appearance/beauty therapy and nail services, including; for example, facials, makeup, waxing, laser hair removal, laser treatments, eyelash extensions, spray tans, and other water-based spa services, such as non-therapeutic hydrotherapy tubs, whirlpool tubs, and vichy showers.
Cosmetic injections and personal appearance services where skin penetration is used (for example, micro-needling, tattooing, body piercing, skin impacts, hair implants, etc) can be provided if undertaken by a registered health practitioner.
Steam-based services (including saunas, steam rooms, steam cabinets and bathhouses) are not permissible. A day spa may provide massage therapy by a qualified massage therapist, facials and waxing in accordance with a COVID-19 Safety plan but cannot provide saunas.
A case study is available for guidance.
Other requirements include:
- Practising physical distancing of one person per 4 square metres or a maximum of 20 people in the salon (excluding staff), whichever is smaller – this factsheet provides more information about the 4 square metre rule;
- Ask all clients for their first name and phone number and keep a record of the information if it is provided, including the date and time the client attended, for at least 28 days;
- Practise good hygiene;
- Sharing of equipment is discouraged and any shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected between each use;
Where possible, consider limiting the time on-premises to less than 2 hours, and close face-to-face work to 15 minutes.
Businesses are required to have COVID Safety Plan in place and may be asked to produce these plans upon request by an authorised officer.
Contact information must be kept about all clients and staff for contact tracing purposes. This information includes their name, address and mobile number and records must be kept for at least 28 days. If a public health officer requests this information, it must be provided.
More information is available via the ACT COVID-19 webpage.
Western Australia
Closure and Restriction (Limit the Spread) Directions (No 3)
17 May 2020
HAIRDRESSING
Hairdressers can continue to operate provided that a distance of at least 1.5 metres is kept between each hairdresser and customer and every other hairdresser and customer in the place and no more than 20 customers are receiving hairdressing services at any one time.
BEAUTY
Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage services can re-open as of Saturday 6 June, when Phase 3 of the WA Roadmap commences.
As part of re-opening requirements, these businesses will need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan before they re-open and must display a Safety Plan Certificate no later than the day that they re-open.
Phase 3 allows for businesses that provide beauty therapy and personal care services (including tanning, waxing, massages, nail services, tattooing and piercing) to reopen in line with the same requirements as hairdressers i.e. keep 1.5 metres away from others where possible and ensure no more than 20 customers are receiving services at any one time.
The COVID Safety Guidelines will help businesses to complete their safety plans.
Our advisers are ready to answer your questions. For advice on this topic, or any other workplace relations matter, please call the HABA Advice Line on 02 9221 9911.
The information contained in this article is based on information available at the time of writing (4 June).
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