Phase 1 of Circuit Breaker: What You Can & Cannot Do

Since the start of the circuit breaker on 7 April 2020, there have been numerous updates on salon safety measures during this period. When the circuit breaker was first announced, salons were only able to provide basic haircut services. As the number of community cases rose, the government extended the circuit breaker with tighter measures and salons and barbers had to close entirely, along with other F&B services (e.g. bubble tea and dessert stores). 

On May 12, the government began to ease some of the circuit breaker restrictions, and salons and barbers were able to operate again. However, they’re only able to provide basic haircut services whilst still maintaining safety measures in the salon such as ensuring 1-metre distance and limiting the number of people in the salon to only 10 people (including staff). 

On 2 June, salons and barbers are finally able to provide full hair services which include chemical and colouring services. Due to the numerous changes in the rules, many salons are left confused about what can and cannot be done. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of do and don’ts:

YES:

1. Practice safe distancing measures.
While there is no minimum or maximum number of employees that should in the salon, employers should still... 

1. Limit the number of customers within the salon to allow for the one-metre spacing
   **One-metre spacing also applies to salon employees at all times - this includes break time and lunch.  

• Ensure queue lines at the entrance, reception and cashier counters are clearly demarcated with floor markers or tapes 
  
  

2. Stagger working and break hours to reduce the gathering between employees at all common spaces. 

• If you’re unable to stagger the working hours of your staff, you must implement other measures such as splitting the teams to ensure there is no cross-deployment between shifts/teams. 

• Employers should ensure that your staff reporting and ending time should NOT coincide with peak-hour travel
  
  

3. Implement safety measures 

• Take temperatures of all staff and customers before entering the salon

• Place hand sanitisers in close proximity to highly touched surfaces such as the reception counter and door handles so that customers can sanitise their hands after touching these surfaces. 

• Use SafeEntry to record all entries for customers and staff. 

• Ensure that the salon has enough masks for all employees; masks are to be worn at all times in the salon for both employees and customers.
  

• Encourage your employees to download and activate the TraceTogether app 
  
  

4. Step up your salon hygiene

• Clean and disinfect common spaces and equipment/tools that are shared between employees before changing hands (e.g. hairdryer, curling tongs, straightener, trolleys, colour bars).

• Use disposable capes and gowns OR wash your capes and gowns after each wear, this includes towels.

• Remove any magazines, sweets and name cards to eliminate unnecessary touching of items. 

5. Encourage the use of cashless or contactless payment 


NO
1. Socialising with colleagues within and outside of the workplace

• This includes social gathering of any kind (i.e. celebrating birthdays, team bonding, etc.) in and out of the salon. 
  
  2. Gathering at all common spaces such as at the entrance, reception, locker room or pantry.
  
  3. Do NOT come to work if you're feeling unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. 

In the event that your salon has been notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19, you must:

1. Immediately vacate and cordon-off the section of the premise where the confirmed case worked or was located. 

2. Carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all on-site areas and items that were exposed to the confirmed case, in accordance with NEA guidelines.

Stay safe, everyone!   

Cover Photo by Chelsea Gates on Unsplash