This is when hairdressers in England can open in Covid Tiers 1, 2 and 3

Today (2 December) a new tiered system will be rolled out across England as part of Boris Johnston’s new ‘Winter Plan’ involving tougher restrictions.

The majority of the country have been placed into ‘high’ and ‘very high’ alert categories, identied as tiers 2 and 3 respectfully.

So what rules apply to hairdressers and beauty salons? Here’s what you need to know.

What are the rules for hairdressers in the new tiers?

There are a host of rules which apply to all tiers, but others which become increasingly strict the higher the tier.

Hairdressers are allowed to open across all tiers but rules on travel and social distancing do vary between the tiers, so it’s important to keep this in mind.

All tiers

Beauty salons and other close contact businesses which were previously forced to close in some settings will be entitled to remain open once the national lockdown ends on 2 December. However, travel restrictions apply for clients moving between tiers.

Businesses across all tiers must adhere to social distancing guidelines.

These include operating a track and trace system - you must provide your name, address and contact details which will be kept on record for 21 days.

You should also expect frequent hand sanitising by staff and clients, queue management and one way systems.

Appointments should be spaced out between clients to ensure a thorough clean has been carried out to reduce infections spreading.

Hairdressers can travel into any other tier to attend work, however the rules differ for clients.

What are the rules for travelling to get my hair done?

Tier 1 - Medium alert

If you live in a tier 1 area,you can travel into another tier, as long as you follow the rules of the higher tier. This means you can get your hair cut in a neighboring authority as long as you familiarise yourself with the rules.

Tier 2 - High Alert

If you live in a tier 2 area, you can travel to a tier 1 local authority but you must continue to follow tier 2 guidance.

Travelling into tier 3 to attend a beauty appointment is not advised.

Tier 3 - Very High Alert

You are not permitted to travel to a lower tier if you live in a tier 3 area.

While you are allowed to travel within your tier 3 area for to go to the hairdresser, you should reduce travel where possible.

Hairdressers living in a tier 3 area are permitted to continue working.

Are mobile hairdressers allowed to operate?

Your hairdresser can still come to your home, regardless of which tier you are in.

Hairdressers are allowed to travel into and out of all tiers for the purposes of work.

Anyone working in or having others work in their home should ensure they follow guidance provided by the UK Government on working in a COVID-secure manner in ‘other people’s homes’.

When are these tiers expected to last until?

Tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, while the approach is generally expected to last until March 2021, with tiers adjusted according to coronavirus levels.

Boris Johnson sounded optimistic as he delivered his Winter plan, he suggested "things will look and feel very different" after Easter, with a vaccine and mass testing rolled out to the vulnerable potentially as soon as possible.

He also told how the winter months "will be hard, they will be cold", apologising for the "hardship" that increased and continued restrictions will have on businesses.

You can find more information about the rules and restrictions in the government's’ Winter Plan’, which discusses its approach to tackling coronavirus and how it intends to support businesses and workers.

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