Coronavirus: Hairdressers will not reopen in June, Downing Street says
Hairdressers and barbers closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic in Tooting, South London. (PA)
2 min read
The Government is not planning to reopen hairdressers before July, Number 10 has said.
Downing Street pushed back at reports salons could get back up and running in mid-June, as it said the “ambition” remained for a July reopening “at the earliest”.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that ministers were discussing ways to bring forward the July date for reopening the personal care sector flagged in the Government's ‘road-map’ for easing lockdown measures.
The move would come alongside detailed social distancing guidance drawn up between government and the industry aimed at keeping people working in the sector, as well as their customers, safe from Covid-19.
June 15 was earmarked as a possible date for the return.
But Number 10 dampened speculation of an early reopening on Thursday, saying: “The road to recovery plan sets out that we’re looking to open hairdressers from July at the earliest.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson added: “It is correct to say we’re working as quickly as we can to get hairdressers up and running safely and that is a one of the areas which we have a ministerial-led taskforce focused upon.
“But as we’ve set out in the roadmap its our ambition to reopen them from July at the earliest.
“And that will be subject to the scientific advice at the time.”
Asked whether the June 15 date was therefore “wishful thinking” and that a return of salons and barbers on that date was not happening, the Number 10 spokesperson said: “Yes, correct.”
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