Hair salons face operational changes amid plans to reopen in May

Phase 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan kicks off on May 19 and hair salons are one type of business that will be allowed to open.

However, it won’t be business as usual. There will be many operational changes aimed at restricting the spread of COVID-19.

Kassy Moen, a stylist at Sage Beauty Bar in Saskatoon, joined The Brent Loucks Show on 650 CKOM to break down some of the changes.

For one, stylists will have to wear personal protective equipment when seeing clients.

“I’m going to be wearing a surgical mask, not necessarily N95, but an examination mask. We don’t have to wear gloves, which would be difficult to do a short haircut wearing gloves, but we have to practise really good hand-washing and sanitation between each guest,” she explained.

“We’ll be wearing aprons which will be changed out between every guest, and also eyewear. We just want to make sure that our guests and our staff are as safe and as comfortable as possible.”

There will also be fewer people inside the building at all times to maximize physical distance.

There will be a maximum of four stylists working at any given time with only one client each.

Despite the differences, Moen said Sage Beauty Bar still has received many calls to book in advance.

She’s confident in the stylists’ ability to adapt. However, there is one aspect of regular operations she’ll miss the most.

“The biggest thing is I won’t be able to hug anyone,” she said. “I’m a hugger — I’ll get you with a hug whether you’re coming or going.”